oral biofilms

Question 1

what is a biofilm?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

what are the defining characteristic of biofilms?

Answer 2

defence
favourable habitat
community
default mode

Question 3

what are the stages of biofilm development?

Answer 3

adhesion, 
colonization
accumulation
complex community
dispersal

Question 4

what are the benefits of biofilms?

Answer 4

protective environment
co-ordinated cellular events
division of labour
EPS traps nutrients
less energy utilised
survival in numbers

Question 5

what is glycocalyx?

Answer 5

ECM composed of exopolymeric substrate
maintains a hydrated environment
microcolonies within are organised, allowing active diffusion
provides protective barrier- immune factors and antibiotics

Question 6

what is dental plaque?

Answer 6

a diverse microbial community found on the tooth surface, embedder in a matric of polymers of bacterial and salivary origin

Question 7

what are 5 oral biofilm diseases?

Answer 7

caries-coronal and root surface
endodontic infections
periodontal infections
oral malodour
mucosal infections-thrush, angular cheilitis, denture stomatitis

Question 8

what are the stages of plaque development?

Answer 8

colonisation by pioneer bacteria
outgrowth
secondary colonisation
climax community

Question 9

what are the stages of caries progression?

Answer 9

adhesion
survival + growth
biofilm formation
complex plaque
acid
caries

Question 10

what effect can a high protein diet have on oral biofilm?

Answer 10

few acidogenic organisms-ammonia produced
more gram -
secondary metabolites-malodour

Question 11

what effect can a high carb diet have on oral biofilm?

Answer 11

metabolism reduced pH
aciduric organisms thrive
streptococci + lactobacilli