What is the Difference Between Materia Alba and Plaque?

Materia alba and dental plaque are both accumulations of bacteria and other materials on teeth, but they have distinct differences:

1. Color and texture: Materia alba is a soft, white accumulation, while plaque is a yellow-greyish, hard accumulation.
2. Composition: Materia alba consists of bacteria present in the salivary matrix of glycoproteins and extracellular polysaccharides. Plaque, on the other hand, is a mix of salivary proteins, bacteria, desquamated epithelial cells, and food debris in a tight matrix.
3. Structure: Materia alba lacks the organized structure of dental plaque and is easily displaced with a water spray. Plaque is a more complex and well-organized structure that tightly adheres to the tooth surface.
4. Formation: Both materia alba and plaque are caused by poor dental hygiene, but they can be removed with different procedures.
5. Impact on oral health: Both types of accumulations can degrade the quality of life and personality of an individual due to their negative effects on oral health.

In summary, the main differences between materia alba and plaque are their color, texture, composition, structure, and the methods required for their removal. Both are caused by poor dental hygiene and can have negative effects on oral health.

Comparative Table: Materia Alba vs Plaque

Materia alba and plaque are both accumulations of bacteria and other substances on teeth, but they have different characteristics. Here is a table comparing the differences between materia alba and plaque:

Materia alba is a soft white accumulation composed of bacteria, salivary proteins, epithelial cells, and food debris. It can be easily removed with a water spray or oral irrigator. On the other hand, plaque is a yellow-greyish hard accumulation consisting of salivary proteins, bacteria, desquamated epithelial cells, and food debris in a tight matrix. Plaque has an organized structure and tightly adheres to the tooth surface, requiring brushing and flossing to remove.