Everyone has heard the word plaque countless times in adverts for dental products but how many people actually really understand what it is and why it is so dangerous for your teeth? Plaque is a filmy substance comprised of bacteria and decaying food debris that clings to the surface of the teeth. As the bacteria and food decay they release chemicals, collectively known as plaque acid, which erodes the surface enamel of the teeth and also irritates gum tissue. If allowed to remain in the mouth and continually release acid, plaque can be the cause of both tooth decay and gum disease. It will also harden over time so that it cannot be removed by conventional cleaning. This hardened plaque is commonly known as tartar.

However, plaque can easily be removed and your teeth protected simply by effective tooth brushing and also flossing. Brushing your teeth properly twice a day for three minutes as recommended by Leeds dentists will hopefully remove most of the damaging plaque on the teeth. It is often better to use a soft bristled brush as this will scrape off more of the plaque from the surface of the teeth and the gums. Hold the toothbrush at an angle, about forty-five degrees pointing towards the gum on both the top and bottom dental arcs. This is proven to remove more plaque and will also help to stimulate the gums and keep them free from plaque.

The alternative to properly cleaning your teeth is to suffer from dental cavities and gum disease. Cavities in the enamel will allow infections to penetrate to the heart of the teeth and cause a great deal of pain, not to mention damage to the teeth. This will require lengthy and costly dental treatment and may also result in the loss of a tooth. Gum disease will also result in the loss of teeth and great pain, so it really is advised to brush your teeth as well as possible to remove plaque,