Have you ever had that fuzzy feeling on the surface of your teeth? Or looked at your floss after you've used it and wondered what that white, sticky debris on it?
This is known as dental plague. Dental plague is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the surface of your teeth. Plague occurs when the bacteria in your mouth feed on food debris such as sugars and carbohydrates, which breaks the food down into a sticky, acidic film. Dental plague forms because the warm and moist environment of the mouth makes a good environment for its growth and development. Dental plague forms above the gum line and is most commonly seen between the teeth, in the pits and grooves of the teeth.
Dental Hygiene
Brushing your teeth twice a day, and flossing once a day are a collective set of behaviours known as dental hygiene. Another aspects of dental hygiene includes visiting your local dental office for a dental exam and professional teeth cleaning every 6 months. In combination, these behaviours are extremely important to the oral and overall health.
Dental hygiene is important for your oral health as it reduces the risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Regular dental hygiene practices control bacterial populations in order to prevent oral health concerns, as well as the spread of infection to other parts of the body. For this reason, it is essential to brush twice a day, floss once a day, and visit your local dental practices at least once every six months.