Talk:Dental plaque

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Contents 1 How to parse this paragraph? 2 Image 3 Copy & Pasting 4 Promotional editing 5 Removal 6 Contraction of plaque

[edit] How to parse this paragraph?

It is a protein film that forms on the surface enamel by selective binding of glycoproteins from saliva. It is protective to the tooth from the acids produced by oral microorganisms after consuming the available carbohydrates. It is also a means for the microorganisms to attach to the tooth and form what is called Dental plaque.

I have removed this paragraph from the article because I could not understand what it referred to. It came just after the sentence saying Plaque build ups can also become mineralised and form calculus. What is "it"? Dental plaque again? If so, then the paragraph was quite badly placed... but judging from what I read in the preceeding parts of the article, the paragraph must be referring to something else.

Someone qualified please clean up.

LjL 22:48, 12 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Image

Image doesn't illustrate the plaque. What can be seen in image is calculus. That increase misconception that calculus is plaque. If analogy is allowed than may be say that plaque is a live "ocean", calculus is died "corals" on the bottom of the "ocean". Some adequate illustration will help. 193.230.176.7 20:23, 10 November 2006 (UTC)

Agreed. Image should be modified. - Dozenist talk 22:41, 10 November 2006 (UTC)

It's difficult, because plaque is difficult to see unless it’s stained. You can stain plaque by chewing red disclosing tablets. Image can remain to illustrate the conscience of plague. We need the schematic draw to illustrate plague and some explanation in the text.Feel 23:13, 10 November 2006 (UTC)

and stupidly, the problem is that there is not much visible plaque. Plaque of course can be visible, and even though I took the current picture that is up, a better picture should be found. - Dozenist talk 02:08, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Copy & Pasting

[Origin of Information] [Terms and Conditions]

Can any Mod/Admin confirm that this article does not breach the Terms and Conditions of this site. As parts of the article is copy and pasted from the original article. And anyone qualified to modify the section to suit the copyright --Silent Assassin 03:39, 4 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Promotional editing

There appears to be a campaign by Wrigley's gum to promote chewing sugar free gum as a healthy way to look after teeth. See edits by 195.216.25.222 and Ellielancaster. Ellielancaster added this edit to this article. The claim may be true, but because of conflict of interest and POV concerns it needs checking by neutral editors and reinserting only if sources and appropriate weight merit. Thanks. -- Siobhan Hansa 13:23, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

This is true - sugarfree gum does reduce the risk of caries but only because it stimulates the flow of saliva. Also, the high content of xylitol or wood sugar replaces more harmful sugars such as sucrose or glucose and acidogenic bacteria find it difficult to metabolise - see page here xylitol.Dr-G - Illigetimi non carborundum est. 16:37, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

I checked in with Wikiproject dentistry and was given to understand that while there are some benefits, they are pretty limited and in no way equivalent to those provided by brushing and flossing. Since this appears to be a determined campaign by a for-profit gum and candy manufacturer, my concern is that we ensure that any claims are treated with appropriate weight so that we do become an unwitting advocate for what might otherwise be un-notable results. I'm not trying say we shouldn't mention it under any circumstances if it would otherwise be in the article. Just recommending that any inclusion be made by regular editors who don't have a conflict of interest as they would if Wrigley's did not appear to be promoting the concept. -- Siobhan Hansa 17:44, 1 May 2007 (UTC)

You are right and I didn't really answer your questions. Chewing gum DOES NOT form a part of an oral hygiene program nor does it significantly reduce plaque. Therefore I would take it out of this article. In fact, some eminent periodontist have suggested that chewing gum can be detrimental if done excessively as it can overload the teeth over time causing bone loss. If you want to take it out, I am agreed. Also, I am a member of the WikiProject Dentistry :) Dr-G - Illigetimi non carborundum est. 19:21, 2 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Removal

Explain what methods there are for removal of it, how to get rid of it... —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Frap (talk • contribs).

[edit] Contraction of plaque

This article should include information about how plaque is first contracted by an individual during infancy: from food, or contact with others, etc.? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 142.204.31.41 (talk)

I would also like to see the typical bacterial species in plaque. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.65.81.232 (talk) 04:15, 30 September 2007 (UTC)