Dental plaque on a used toothpick, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Plaque consists of a film of bacteria embedded in a glycoprotein matri

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Dental plaque on a used toothpick, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). 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: x650 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.

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Size: 2902px × 2185px
Photo credit: © STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: bacteria, bacterial, biofilm, coloured, condition, decay, dental, dentistry, disease, disorder, false-coloured, glycoprotein, healthcare, matrix, medical, medicine, mouth, multiple, odontology, oral, plaque, sem, tooth, toothpick