A Comprehensive Review on Impact of Microbial Biofilms on Dental Plaque Formation and Its Treatment Strategies

Oral hygiene is very essential for a good health and vitality of an individual. Most of the diseases arise from the mouth, which is the gateway for many health issues. The development of a biofilm, from the first seeding of organisms onto an oral substrate, such as enamel or a newly inserted device, to the climax community of a mature biofilm, is a multiphase process. It consists of a mixed population of microbes such as bacteria, fungi and protists embedded in an extracellular polymeric substance that can withstand factors like extreme temperature, pressure, pH, salinity, antibiotics and UV radiation. As a result, this review is an attempt made to summarize and give a comprehensive overview on the formation of biofilms and biofilm biology, which are the root cause for many dental diseases like dental plaque and periodontitis. A comparative study on the physical and chemical methods for prevention of dental biofilm revealed that physical methods are more effective than chemical methods. Also, the role of various phytochemicals like flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenols, alkaloids and terpenoids in the elimination of biofilms were also reported. Further research is needed to minimize the catastrophic effects of microbial biofilms in dental diseases.