Plaque
Excellent oral hygiene requires an understanding of plaque.
Plaque is a sticky, colorless layer, made up of:
- Bacteria (i.e. germs)
- The food you leave behind when you eat (especially carbohydrates: starches or sugars)
- Saliva
- Acid: the toxic byproduct of the bacteria
When you eat carbohydrates (foods made of sugar or starch), you feed the bacteria in the plaque, which in turn produce acid that attacks tooth enamel, causing decalcification (scarring) and cavities. The acid also affects the gums, causing gingivitis (gum inflammation). Uninterrupted, the acid attacks can result in tooth decay and periodontitis (permanent gum disease). If left untreated, gum disease can cause loss of teeth and bone.
