Dental plaque and caries dependent on gravity?

timmoody · #1 03-20-2009, 11:00 AM

Hi.

I had a discussion with a friend the other day, are you more prone to have dental plaque/caries problem on the teeth in the lower jaw than in the upper jaw? The idea proposed was the due to gravity more food residues and dental plaque would find its way to the teeth in the lower jaw.

Cheers,
Tim

emmaliminal · #2 03-20-2009, 11:08 AM

IANAD, but I would tend to doubt it's much of a factor. Plaque is the result of bacterial activity. That bacteria can be dislodged by things like saliva, toothbrushes, the movement of your tongue, etc., so you'll find more of it in the least physically inaccessible spaces, like between your teeth. Plaque is sticky and helps the bacteria stay in place, so it's a self-reinforcing process: bacteria stays longer where it's not easily brushed off, and it makes plaque where it hangs out, which makes it harder to brush off.

spingears · #3 03-20-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmaliminal

Plaque is sticky and helps the bacteria stay in place, so it's a self-reinforcing process: bacteria stays longer where it's not easily brushed off, and it makes plaque where it hangs out, which makes it harder to brush off.

FYI bacteria is plural, bacterium is one of the herd.
QUESTION:
Why has no one to date come up with a safe and effective bacteriacide to eliminate or minimize the growth of the bacteria and formation of plaque?

Really Not All That Bright · #4 03-20-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spingears

FYI bacteria is plural, bacterium is one of the herd.
QUESTION:
Why has no one to date come up with a safe and effective bacteriacide to eliminate or minimize the growth of the bacteria and formation of plaque?

There was nothing in emmaliminal's post that indicates she (he?) was referring to a plural.

We already have a safe and effective bacteriacide to minimize or eliminate the growth of oral flora. It's called Listerine.

flyboy · #5 03-20-2009, 12:44 PM

I just had my teeth cleaned, and I was told I had deposits on my front lower teeth because that's where a large saliva gland resides, and spit has minerals in it which will leave deposits. I have no idea if this is accurate, but it's what I was told. And, I floss, and use listerine and ACT every day.

emmaliminal · #6 03-20-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spingears

FYI bacteria is plural, bacterium is one of the herd.

True, but when you talk about what plaque-making bacteria is/are up to, which is it/are they? You know, like you can talk about what the media does, or do, depending on context.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Really Not All That Bright

There was nothing in emmaliminal's post that indicates she (he?) was referring to a plural.

Well, there'd be the verb conjugation, which is what I edited for. At least, I edited for its consistency.

Really Not All That Bright · #7 03-20-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmaliminal

Well, there'd be the verb conjugation, which is what I edited for. At least, I edited for its consistency.

Oops. Missed the edit. Sorry, spingears.

psychonaut · #8 03-20-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spingears

FYI bacteria is plural, bacterium is one of the herd.
QUESTION:
Why has no one to date come up with a safe and effective bacteriacide to eliminate or minimize the growth of the bacteria and formation of plaque?

As long as we're being pedants, can I point out that the word is actually spelled "bactericide" or "bacteriocide"?

Ludovic · #9 03-20-2009, 02:29 PM

But the real question is: do bacteriacides work well on the teeth of octopi?

Fear Itself · #10 03-20-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyboy

I just had my teeth cleaned, and I was told I had deposits on my front lower teeth because that's where a large saliva gland resides, and spit has minerals in it which will leave deposits. I have no idea if this is accurate, but it's what I was told.

I heard that as well, also that people who form tartar easily have a less acid oral environment. People with higher acidity form less tartar, but are more prone to cavities.