What is the Connection between Anaerobic
Metabolism and Dental Plaque?
By, Jill Johnston
Dental Plaque
• Bacteria• Polysaccharides form sticky colonies
• Plaque formation• Anaerobic metabolism
CAUTION!-High Sugar Diets-Carbohydrates: Sugars, Starches-Examples: Candy, Fruit, Cake, Soft Drinks, Ice Cream
How it works…Carbohydrates (Sugars and Starches)
Bacteria present in mouth utilize sugars ex: Sucrose
Acids (waste products) ex: Lactate & Pyruvate
Over time…Overtime acid destroys tooth enamel, even dentin
rapid bacterial growth in holes made
Tooth Decay and/or Gingivitis
Plaque on tooth roots, under gum, can cause breakdown of bone and tooth support (Periodontal Disease)
long term
Causes
Bacteria uses fructose to get energyLactic acid creates extra acidity to decrease the pH, which can dissolve the calcium
phosphate in the tooth enamel leading to the start of a cavity.
Over-view of Article
Sugar, Saliva, and Bacteria lead to tooth decay over time.
Treatments
• Flossing • Brushing• No Tobacco use• Good Diet• Fluoride • Home tests• Yearly exams/cleanings (PIC.)• Holistic treatments
Dangers-Gum Disease (Gingivitis)
-Tooth Decay
-Severe Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease) seems to be associated with: *Heart Disease *Diabetes
* Dementia *Heart attacks *Premature birth *Rheumatoid Arthritis
ReferencesHua, X., Cook, G. S., Costerton, J. W., Bruce, G., Rose, T. M., Lamont, R. J. "Intergeneric
Communication in Dental Plaque Biofilms." Journal of Bacteriology. 2000. Volume 182. p. 7067-7069.
Lam P, Lavik G, Jensen MM, Vossenberg J, Schmid M, Woebken D, Dimitri G, Amann R, Jetten MSM, Kuypers MMM: Revising the nitrogen cycle in the Peruvian oxygen minimum zone.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2009, 106(12):4752-4757
Lepp PW, Brinig MM, Ouverney CC, Palm K, Armitage GC, Relman DA: Methanogenic Archaea and human periodontal disease.Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2004, 101(16):6176-6181
Marsh, P.D. "Dental Plaque as a Microbial Biofilm." Caries Research. 2004. Volume 38. p.204-211 Marquis, M. E., "Oxygen metabolism, oxidative stress and acid-base physiology of dental plaque
biofilms." Journal of Industrial Microbiology. Volume 15. p. 198-207Mohan SB, Cole JA: The Dissimilatory Reduction of Nitrate to Ammonia by Anaerobic Bacteria.
In The Biology of the Nitrogen Cycle. 1st edition. Edited by Bothe H, Ferguson SJ, Newton WE. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2007.
