“Biofilm” is an organization formed by microorganisms coming together and making them stronger, almost a microorganism state…
The biofilm in the mouth is like this. However, because there are microorganisms in it, we should not think they are always harmful. When we think of bacteria in the mouth, we feel like killing them all for some reason.
In a healthy environment, they are our friends. The usual, healthy bacterial flora of the mouth has benefits such as protecting us from foreign and pathogenic bacteria and training our immune system. When this flora’s balance is disturbed, there is a risk of cavities and gum disease. Sometimes, situations such as black stains arise that constantly trouble us. In this case, we try to remove the plaque containing this pathogenic flora and create healthy flora again.
Our cleaning as dentists is vital in stopping the progress and providing a new start. But nutrition is also critical! For example, sugar (sucrose), which we know, causes the acid-producing and caries-causing microorganisms in the biofilm to increase, to organize more efficiently and to make it difficult to remove them by brushing. In other words, it makes the healthy flora unhealthy. In this case, you may need to rethink some of your habits along with your dental hygiene (in fact, it is similar to restoring our intestinal health – get rid of the harmful and create a favorable environment for the beneficial flora).
Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) is a step-by-step treatment protocol that we apply for oral and dental health. It addresses the management of the structure formed by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, which we refer to as biofilm. Before starting treatment, we evaluate the oral condition and examine the dental plaque and surrounding tissues. We use a plaque staining agent to make the biofilm visible. After both we and our patients can easily see the biofilm, we inform our patients about oral hygiene, correct tooth brushing techniques, and dental floss use.
In the cleaning phase, we remove biofilm even from hard-to-reach areas with the EMS AIRFLOW Prophylaxis device and Prophlaxis Powder dissolved in water. Then, we carefully clean the remaining tartar with an ultrasonic device. We may need to use some hand tools in deeper pockets. Finally, we complete the treatment by passing over the teeth again with airflow. After the treatment, we ensure effective management of biofilm with the oral hygiene motivation of our patients and our controls.
Here you can see part of an approach to dental cleaning called “guided biofilm therapy”. This approach emphasizes both patient motivation and minimally invasive cleaning of the teeth. The video shows the plaque-detecting agent we use to make the biofilm more visible to the patient during cleaning. In this way, we can see and remove biofilm in places we did not expect, increasing our patient’s awareness. It is also more fun to clean like this The device we use here for cleaning is AirFlow. This device cleans stains and newly formed stones by spraying powders such as glycine, erythritol or sodium bicarbonate, which we choose according to the situation, together with water. We then use ultrasonic cleaners and hand tools to remove more challenging calculus. I used my Airflow device again after ultrasonic cleaning in the clinic.
Of course, as I mentioned above, although the cleaning we do eliminates disturbed flora and provides a new start, it is most vital that you maintain this cleanliness and provide an environment that will protect the comfort of beneficial bacteria, especially nutrition, for the balance of the flora.
