PNAS new discovery: dental plaque is not a "bad guy"

Researchers from the University of Washington reveal new aspects of gum disease and the body's protective response

For the first time, a team led by researchers at the University of Washington has determined and classified the responses of different people to the accumulation of dental plaque

If left unchecked, the accumulation of dental plaque can induce gingivitis or gum inflammation

The researchers also discovered a previously unidentified inflammatory response to the accumulation of oral bacteria

The study revealed for the first time that subjects with low clinical response also showed low inflammatory response to various inflammatory signals

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In addition, the researchers also discovered a new body's protective response triggered by the accumulation of plaque, which can preserve tissue and bone during inflammation

In this case, dental plaque is not a bad person

When healthy homeostasis exists and everything is normal, neutrophils promote colonization resistance, a low-level protective inflammatory response that helps the oral cavity resist excessive unhealthy bacteria and fight infections

The researchers’ findings highlight why dentists advocate the advantages of regular brushing and flossing, which can prevent too much plaque from accumulating

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Human variation in gingival inflammation