Microbiology and Immunology 6400 Oral Intermicrobial Interactions Practice Test

The acquired enamel pellicle acts as a conditioning film that makes the tooth surface ready for bacteria to reattach. It’s a layer of salivary glycoproteins and other molecules that coats the enamel, and many oral bacteria have adhesins that recognize and bind to these pellicle components. Because of these binding interactions, pioneer recolonizing bacteria can quickly attach to the surface and begin forming a new biofilm after disruption. In this way, the pellicle provides binding sites and a favorable substrate for initial recolonizing bacteria.