This material makes a biofilm slimy. Once attached, the bacteria interacting as a dynamic system compete with other organisms for nutrients found at the interface where the substrate and water meet. Biofilm formation also serves a protective function for the members of its community. Microorganisms on the inside of the biofilm are often safe from predators, antibiotics, and biocides. Dental plaque was among the first groups of biofilms to be studied.
Teeth provide a hard surface on which biofilms can attach themselves.
Saliva and the remains of food we eat are both sources of nutrients for the bacteria that contribute to the formation of dental plaque and associated peridontal diseases. Biofilms are found everywhere, including such extreme environments as the hot springs of Yellowstone National Park and the glaciers of the Antarctic. They can corrode pipes and the hulls of ships and contaminate processed foods. Biofilms grow on the porcelain surface of toilet bowls, wood siding, shower tiles, plastics, and wooden cutting boards. Because biofilms can also grow on surfaces inside other organisms they can potentially grow on anything that is inserted into the body.