New Vistas in Plaque Control

Abstract

Plaque is the soft, tenacious material found on tooth surfaces which is not readilyremoved by rinsing with water. The most clinically observable plaque on the smoothsurfaces of the teeth along the gingival margin may be termed dentogingival plaque. After tooth cleaning, the supragingival plaque along the gingival border of the teethreaccumulates slowly during the following two days. The thickness of the plaqueincreases dramatically after the third day, to a maximum after seven days.Harnessing technical improvements in mechanical and chemical plaque control methodscan lead to benefits that are significant in ways more than just efficient plaque removal.Fundamental research in biological methods may also add to effectiveness of established methods.It can thus be concluded that pioneering research must be done, the fruits of whichmust be spread around to dental practitioners and academicians for speedy adoption.