plaque control dr. shahzadi tayyaba hashmi shahzadi@inaya.edu.sa

PLAQUE CONTROL

Dr. Shahzadi Tayyaba Hashmi

shahzadi@inaya.edu.sa

• Dental plaque is defined as a soft, translucent, concentrated mass of bacteria tenaciously adherent to the teeth, marginal gingiva and the restorations present in the oral cavity”

• The plaque must be removed for the prevention of caries and periodontal diseases

• It has been shown that tooth brushing once in 48 hrs may prevent gingivitis

• The plaque is thought to be cariogenic after 48 hrs• Thorough plaque removal once a day is sufficient for

caries prevention

DENTAL PLAQUE

• The removal of plaque is achieved mainly by two methods

• Mechanical method• Chemical method

METHODS OF PLAQUE CONTROL

1. Tooth Brushes

2. Dental floss

3. Tooth picks

4. Mechanical tooth brushes

5. Dentifrices

6. Mouth washes

1. MECHANICAL PLAQUE REMOVAL

• Many tooth brushes for cleaning labial and lingual surfaces of teeth are available which may be soft, hard, having different shapes of the head, handle and bristles

1. TOOTH BRUSHES

• It is a special multifilamented thread which can spread like a thin tape when pressed against a tight Interdental contact point or the approximal surfaces of the teeth

• It is the only device to prevent interproximal caries

2. DENTAL FLOSS

• They are wooden, plastic or metallic points which have been used for removal of impacted Interdental food debris

• They are not recommended at present because of their potential harmful effects to gingiva and teeth

3. TOOTH PICKS

• They are circular, battery operated brushes• Move in circulatory movement• May be advised for handicapped patients

4. MECHANICAL TOOTH BRUSHES

• Anything used to help plaque removal is called dentifrice• Usually they contain abrasives, detergents, flavoring

agents, antimicrobials and the base• They are used with brushes• Powders are more abrasive than pastes

5. DENTIFRICES

• Reduce the amount and speed of plaque formation• NaCl and chlorhexidine are commonly used mouth

washes

6. MOUTH WASHES

• Many of the chemical agents have been used for plaque control

• Certain antibiotics, chlorophyll, NaCl and 0.2 % chlorhexidine are used commonly

• They may be used as a mouth wash for local application or as a part of tooth paste

• Antibiotics have been stopped due to the hypersensatization of the mucosa

• Side effect of chlorhexidine :• Chlorhexidine may stain the teeth and fillings

2. CHEMICAL MEANS OF PLAQUE CONTROL