plaque
Plaque is a soft, sticky substance made up of bacteria which forms on everyone’s teeth all the time. It tends to build up near gums and between teeth.
How is plaque harmful to teeth?
Although plaque almost always has a harmful effect on gums, plaque is not particularly harmful to teeth until you have something sugary or starchy to eat or drink. When you consume food or drink containing sugars and starches, the bacteria in plaque produce plaque acids. Plaque acids attack the tooth surface and can dissolve the hard minerals in tooth enamel, which are the early stages of tooth decay.
How does plaque relate to tooth decay?
Frequent eating and drinking throughout the day can put your teeth at risk because after many acid attacks a cavity (hole) may soon develop in the enamel. This is tooth decay and is irreversible. Once the outer layer of enamel is damaged then decay quickens and the cavity will deepen into the dentine and soft pulp. This allows bacteria to get inside the tooth and may create an abscess. The bacteria inside the tooth then destroys the nerves and blood vessels. This can be painful and you may lose the tooth altogether.
How can plaque be prevented from building up?
Plaque cannot be prevented from forming but careful tooth cleaning every day can help remove it, therefore reducing the possibility of tooth decay. Chewing sugarfree gum has also been proven to help inhibit.
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