{"id":4817,"date":"2019-06-27T11:57:55","date_gmt":"2019-06-27T18:57:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carolinacompletedental.com\/?p=4817"},"modified":"2019-06-27T11:57:55","modified_gmt":"2019-06-27T18:57:55","slug":"can-plaque-cause-tooth-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carolinacompletedental.com\/blog\/can-plaque-cause-tooth-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Plaque Cause Tooth Loss?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"If you\u2019ve ever gone too long between brushing your teeth, you know how slimy and dirty your teeth can feel. Some people lovingly call this layer of grime \u201cteeth sweaters.\u201d But it has a real name: plaque<\/a>. Plaque is common but it can cause poor oral health if you ignore it. Read below for more information on what plaque is and how to deal with it.<\/p>\n

What is Plaque?<\/h3>\n

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To best understand what exactly plaque is, let us paint you a picture of the inside of your mouth after a meal. After enjoying your delicious food, someone else (or something else) is enjoying the leftovers. Oral bacteria are natural and normally present in everyone\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n

These bacteria feed off tiny bits of leftover food on your teeth \u2013 kind of gross, but it\u2019s true! As bacteria eat the food, they digest and process it. Finally, the bacteria produce plaque as an aftereffect of digestion. This process happens with any food you eat, but the bacteria especially love carbohydrates and sugar.<\/p>\n

Plaque sticks to any and all parts of your teeth. In fact, the plaque on the sides of your teeth and near your gums can be different than the kind of plaque found in the grooves on the chewing surface of your teeth.<\/p>\n

Effects of Plaque on Teeth<\/h3>\n

The real problem with plaque is that it contains acid, which ruins your teeth. Over time, acid can erode your enamel and harm your gums. While plaque is totally normal, it\u2019s still important to keep it at bay.<\/p>\n

The buildup of plaque can cause:<\/p>\n