What is Plaque?

Have you ever forgotten to brush your teeth? Have you ever felt a fuzzy film coating your teeth when you rub your tongue across them? Have you ever seen the white stuff that comes off your teeth when you floss? That is plaque. Plaque is main cause of cavities and gum disease.

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria and sugars that constantly forms on the surfaces of the teeth. Plaque is the main cause of cavities and gum disease, and it hardens into tartar if it is not removed on a daily basis. While plaque is gross, it does not have to harm your teeth.

As stated, everyone develops plaque. Inside every mouth, millions of bacteria live, breaking down food particles left behind after eating. The mouth is the ultimate breeding ground for plaque as the mouth is warm and moist 24/7. Because plaque is a sticky substance, it does not rinse out of the mouth easily. Brushing and flossing are the only means for successfully removing plaque from the teeth, and these must be done on a daily basis for the development of plaque to be kept at a manageable level.

The scraping of the teeth during regular dental cleanings (known as scaling) may not be anyone’s favorite part of the dental visit, but it is probably the most important part. During scaling, plaque and tartar are removed from the crown and root of each tooth in order to prevent the destruction of the tooth enamel. Because the bacteria in plaque form acids when they come into contact with food particles, the acids can quickly eat away at the enamel, progressing the destruction of plaque.

Plaque is a dangerous substance when it is in the mouth. Plaque is main cause of cavities and gum disease.  At Family & Cosmetic Dental Care, we encourage all of our dental patients to visit the dentist twice a year for a regular cleaning and checkup. We are here to ensure that your teeth stay as clean and healthy as possible in order to ensure that your teeth last for a lifetime. If you are here in the Johns Creek area and are looking for a comprehensive dental practice to trust with the health of your teeth, contact Family & Cosmetic Dental Care today. We look forward to serving you.

Posted by Mitul Patel DDS, Family & Cosmetic Dental Care
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