Used toothbrush bristles. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of dental plaque on the bristles of a used toothbrush. Plaque consists of a film

---

Used toothbrush bristles. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of dental plaque on the bristles of a used toothbrush. Plaque consists of a film of bacteria embedded in a glycoprotein matrix. The matrix is formed from bacterial secretions and saliva. Plaque is the main cause of tooth decay. The bacteria feed on sugars in food, producing acid as a waste product. This acid corrodes the teeth's enamel coating, resulting in dental caries. A build-up of dental plaque can also lead to inflamed and infected gums. Severe gum disease can lead to teeth falling out. Magnification: x750 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.

---

Size: 3739px × 2810px
Photo credit: © STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: bacteria, bacterial, biofilm, bristle, bristles, coloured, condition, decay, dental, dentistry, disease, disorder, false-coloured, glycoprotein, healthcare, image, images, magnified, matrix, medical, medicine, microscopic, mouth, odontology, oral, plaque, sem, subjects, tooth, toothbrush