21. Importance and possibilities of the dental plaque control

Question 1

1. Dental plaque
   a/ Definition of dental plague

Answer 1

Dental plaque is bacterial biofilm formed on the tooth surface. It is sticky and either colourless or yellowish and soft.

Question 2

1. Dental plaque
   b/ What happen if dental plague is left untreated?

Answer 2

Not removal may result in tartar/calculus formation, pocket formation, bone- and attachement loss

Dental plaque
-> Gingivitis
-> Periodontitis

Question 3

1. Dental plaque
   c/ Location of dental plaque

Answer 3

Commonly found: on the tooth surfaces, between the teeth, on and below gingival line.

Question 4

2. Plaque control
   a/ How do we remove dental plaque?

Answer 4

removal can be achieved with correct daily or twice- daily tooth brushing and use of interdental aids such as dental floss and interdental brushes.

Question 5

2. Plaque control
   a/ What are the significances of dental plaque control?

Answer 5

1/ Prevention of its accumulation on the tooth and the adjacent gingival tissues
2/ Prevents calculus formation

Question 6

2. Plaque control
   b/ What are method of preventing dental plaque formation?

Answer 6

Includes mechanical procedures and chemical agents that are able to prevent plaque formation

Question 7

2. Plaque control
   d/ What do mechanical produces for dental plaque control include?

Answer 7

• 2x day tooth brushing (manual, sonic, oscillating brush, ionic; individual brushes)
• Use of interdental aids (dental floss, interdental brushes, curaprox individual brushes)

Question 8

2. Plaque control
   e/ What are the chemical agents for prevent dental plaque formation?

Answer 8

Chemical agents – mild chlorhexidine rinse, Listerine, GC mousse (recaldent)

Question 9

3. Toothbrush
   a/ Toothbrush is classified by…

Answer 9

• Mechanism of action
• Area of action
• Size
• Bristle diameter

Question 10

3. Toothbrush
   b/ History of toothbrush

Answer 10

1/ History – first toothbrush – 1600BC, Chinese literature
2/ Modern design, William Addis in England (founder of Wisdom Toothbrushes) , 1780 (cattle bone and swine brushes)
3/ Mass production from 1840 in England, France, Germany, Japan.
4/ 1844 – 3-row bristles
5/ 1950 – Nylon toothbrushes

Question 11

3. Toothbrush
   c/ The role of toothbrush

Answer 11

1/ Clean the teeth and interdental spaces
2/ Prevent plaque formation
3/ Disturb and remove the existing plaque
4/ Stimulate and massage gingival tissue
5/ Clean the tongue