8-9. Oral Ecology & Bacterial Plaque Biofilm Development

Question 1

What is a biofilm?

Answer 1

Matrix-enclosed bacterial populations adherent to each other and/or to surfaces or interfaces.

Question 2

Oral plaque/bacteria are most arranged into complex “_______.”

Answer 2

Oral plaque/bacteria are most arranged into complex “BIOFILM.”

Question 3

As long as the “_______” flora, bacterial biofilms are fed well and maintained properly they generally cause “______” problem

Answer 3

As long as the “NORMAL” flora, bacterial biofilms are fed well and maintained properly they generally cause “LITTLE” problem

Question 4

If normal flora, bacterial biofilms are fed “________” ( e.g., too many sweets), or not maintained (e.g., brush and floss) then “______” will usually follow.

Answer 4

If normal flora, bacterial biofilms are fed “improperly/poorly” ( e.g., too many sweets), or not maintained (e.g., brush and floss) then “disease” will usually follow.

Question 5

Do microbes live in separate individual colonies, or in complex communities called biofilm?

Answer 5

Complex communities called biofilm

Question 6

What are the 6 basic properties of biofilm?

Answer 6

1. Complex cooperating and competing community of different microorganism
2. Exist/arranged in microcolonies
3. Microcolonies are surrounded and attached together by protective matrix
4. Between microcolonies are differing environments
5. Simple communication system (quorum sensing)
6. More resistant to antibiotics, antimicrobials, and host response

(Sorry for the long answer)

Question 7

As plaque grows thicker, it is less permeable by “______” and “_______”.

Answer 7

As plaque grows thicker, it is less permeable by “OXYGEN” and “SALIVA”.

Question 8

“__________” flora are found in a minority of population, where they generally act like “______” flora

Answer 8

“SUPPLEMENTAL” flora are found in a minority of population, where they generally act like “NORMAL” flora

Question 9

“________” flora consists of microorganisms that are brought to the area form somewhere else. They have a “________” time colonizing and “_______” in the area, and are thus generally cleared within a few hours or days.

Answer 9

“TRANSIENT” flora consists of microorganisms that are brought to the area form somewhere else. They have a “DIFFICULT” time colonizing and “COMPETING” in the area, and are thus generally cleared within a few hours or days.

Question 10

4 roles of Normal Flora (there are 5 but he only underlined 4 in class)

Answer 10

1. Competition (out compete pathogen/bad flora)
2. Vitamin K synthesis
3. Immune Stimuli: LPS-> Gut
4. Source of opportunists

Question 11

At birth, a baby’s oral cavity is colonized by “_____” microorganisms. (e.g. Candida, “_____”, “_____”)

Answer 11

At birth, a baby’s oral cavity is colonized by “VAGINAL” microorganisms. (e.g. Candida, “YEAST”, “LACTOBACILLUS”)

Question 12

List two methods of how a babys oral cavity get exposed to microorganisms

Answer 12

1. During birth, exposure to vaginal microorgansim

2. Oral contact (parents kissing)

Question 13

What 4 new niches/ecological site develop when teeth erupt in baby?

Answer 13

1. fissures
2. interproximal surfaces
3. smooth surface (enamel)
4. gingival-tooth surface

Question 14

Bacteria such as “_____________” finally find a place where they can colonize and compete well with the appearacnce of the deep “___” and “________” of the “___” molar.

Answer 14

Bacteria such as “STREP. MUTANS” finally find a place where they can colonize and compete well with the appearance of the deep “PITS” and “FISSURES” of the “2nd” molar.

Question 15

“______” flushing and “________” shedding make it impossible for most microorganisms to colonize.

Answer 15

“SALIVA” flushing and “EPITHELIAL” shedding make it next to impossible for most microorganisms to colonize.

Question 16

True or false: The tongue has a lot of bacteria.

Answer 16

True, most bacteria call the tongue papilla and crypts their home. Crypts do not get flushed from saliva.

Question 17

Strep. Sanguinis is a “______” species in tooth plaque development.

Answer 17

Strep. Sanguinis is a “PIONEER” species in tooth plaque development.

Question 18

Which bacteria need teeth in order to colonize in the mouth?

Answer 18

S. Sanguis and S mutans.

there’s also S. milleri, A. naeslundii, and A. viscosus - these were not really mentioned in class

Question 19

Which bacteria does not need teeth in order to colonize in the mouth?

Answer 19

S. Salivarius

Question 20

True or false: Supragingival plaque contains mostly gram-positive bacteria such as Streptococcus and Actinomyces.

Answer 20

TRUE

Question 21

What are the 5 gram-positive streptococcus bacteria that exist on the saliva, tongue, and supragingivally.

Answer 21

Strep. Salivarious 
S. Sanguis 
S. mitior
S. Milleri 
S. Mutans

Question 22

what are the remaining 2 gram-positive bacteria existing supragingivally? List whether the bacteria are in rare, low, moderate, or high proportions. (Chart on page 71)

Answer 22

Lactobacillus - rare to low

Actinomyces - low on tongue and saliva. moderate supragingival

Question 23

True or false: Subgingival plaque contains significant amount of gram-negative bacteria, such as Treponema and Fusobacterium, and significant amount of gram-positive.

Answer 23

FALSE, Subgingival plaque contains significant amount of gram-negative bacteria, such as Treponema and Fusobacterium, and FEW amount of gram-positive.

Question 24

What are the characteristics of Supragingival bacteria?
Gram Rxn
Morphology (cocci, rod, spirochetes)
Oxygen Relationship (aerobic, anerobic, faculative, etc)
Energy Source (carb or protein)
Motility
Disease caused

Answer 24

Mostly Gram +
Cocci, branched rods
Microaerophilic, faculative, some anaerobes
carbs (fermented)
Firmly adhere to plaque
Cause Caries and Gingivitis
slightly acidic

Question 25

What are the characteristics of Subgingival bacteria?
Gram Rxn
Morphology (cocci, rod, spirochetes)
Oxygen Relationship (aerobic, anerobic, faculative, etc)
Energy Source (carb or protein)
Motility
Disease caused
pH

Answer 25

Mostly Gram -
Mostly rods and spirochetes
Most Anaerobes
Mainly protein
Less adherence, many motile forms
Cause Gingivitis and Periodontitis
slightly basic

Question 26

In Dr. Harold Loe’s experiment, not brushing teeth causes a(n) “INCREASE/DECREASE” of anaerobic bacteria and a(n) “INCREASE/DECREASE” of aerobic bacteria.

Answer 26

In Dr. Harold Loe’s experiment, not brushing teeth causes a(n) “INCREASE” of anaerobic bacteria and a(n) “DECREASE” of aerobic bacteria.

Question 27

LOOK AT page 72 and 73. Didn’t really go over it in class and there’s no flashcards for it.

Answer 27

got it?

Question 28

Look at PAGE 76. Too much stuff. I dont know how to make flashcards LOL I would just look at pages 72-76. SORRY GUYS

Answer 28

get it?