What is plaque?

Most people have heard of the word “plaque,” and know it’s not something you want
on your teeth. Yet, they don’t know what exactly plaque is or how it contributes to
dental decay.

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that lives on the surface of your teeth and
along the gumline. It accumulates from normal daily activities such as eating and
drinking, especially if you’ve been consuming a lot of sugars and starches.
Ever had that fuzzy feeling on your teeth that goes away after you give them a good
brush?

Yep, that’s plaque.

Plaque is what contributes to dental decay, as bacteria like to consume the sugars in
your mouth and excrete acids that wear away at your tooth enamel.

When you don’t regularly brush and floss away plaque, it forms tartar. Tartar is the
calcified substance on your teeth that only professional cleaning can remove. That’s
something you can get done over at Juliano Family Dental! Schedule an appointment
by calling us at 585-671-9580 or through our website at julianofamilydental.com.

To regularly remove plaque:
1. Brush thoroughly with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.
2. Floss at least once a day to remove plaque that your brush can’t reach.
3. Visit us for your regular dental cleanings.
Aside from regular brushing, you can have your regular dental cleaning from the experts
at Juliano Family Dental! After all, removing plaque and tartar is a dentist’s game so
leave it into the expert’s hands.