What is Materia Alba?
Materia Alba is a soft chalky white deposit on the tooth surface. It’s primarily composed of bacteria, salivary proteins, epithelial cells, and food debris. It is not a well-organized structure like dental plaque. It looks like a curd or cheesy material on teeth.
It can be viewed through the naked eye and is soft enough to easily be removed at home with water spray and regular tooth brushing.
Let’s see how the Materia Alba is different from the Plaque and Calculus.
Materia Alba vs Plaque vs Calculus
Here we have explained the difference between Materia Alba, Plaque, and Calculus in tabular format.
| Feature | Materia Alba | Plaque | Calculus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Soft, chalky white deposit resembling curd or cheese | Yellow-grayish color, tightly adhered to tooth surface | Hard substance formed from mineralized plaque |
| Composition | Bacteria, salivary proteins, epithelial cells, food debris | Salivary glycoproteins, lipids, polysaccharides, bacteria, nonbacterial microorganisms (yeast, viruses), minerals | Primarily minerals, covered by unmineralized dental plaque |
| Structure | Not complex or well-organized | Complex and well-organized | Highly complex and well-organized |
| Removal Method | Removable with water spray, regular tooth brushing, and flossing | Requires proper tooth brushing and flossing; not removable with water spray alone | Cannot be removed with water spray or regular brushing; requires professional cleaning (scaling and root planing) at a dental clinic |
Key Takeaways
- Materia alba is a white, soft, food debris, bacteria, and dead cell deposit that accumulates on gums and teeth.
- It can be removed easily by flossing, brushing, or rinsing, as opposed to plaque.
- If not treated, it can lead to plaque buildup, bad breath, and gum inflammation and increase the chances of cavities and gum disease.
- Regular oral habits like regular brushing, flossing, and mouthwash will hinder it from developing.
- Adequate hyration and proper nutrition will reduce debris buildup in teeth.
- Proper dental check-ups are necessary because it ensures throughout cleaning and maintains long-term oral problems from emerging.
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