Get Virtual Care
For Businesses
About Us
A member asked:
What causes plague to form on the tooth/gum?
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Bacteria : Germs love to colonize the human mouth. It's wet, warm, dark, and exposed to air as well as airless conditions. Plus, there are nutrients from the food and saliva. Plaque forms constantly, as a biofilm on the tooth surfaces. As many as 1000 species of bacteria, in virtually infinite combinations must be removed twice a day. Proper oral hygiene is necessary to keep the process in check.
Answered 10/30/2012
5.6k views
Living..: Living causes plaque (not plague) to form on teeth and in you mouth. It comes from food, air water, saliva and just about anything. It forms immediately after you've brush your teeth. It is a way of life, but the main thing you don't want the stuff to be on your teeth for a long period of time. Basically...Brush and floss regularly and even if you have a little plaque..No big deal.
Answered 1/13/2016
5.6k views
Related Questions
A member asked:
My very last tooth on the top right has a hole by the gum. What could have caused this?
4 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
A member asked:
My gum swelled up around my tooth, what can cause this?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
I have swelling above my left front tooth(on my gums)? Can someone tell me what are some causes for this?
4 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
A member asked:
My wisdom tooth on the top right has a hole in it right where the gum meets the tooth. What is a likely cause?
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
A member asked:
When I sneezed my gums started to bleed on both sides of one tooth what could be the cause of this and what do I do?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
People also searched for:
Some of my teeth I only manage to floss it half way up instead of right up to the gum. Will this cause plague build up at the very top inbetween them?
NO COLD OR HOT issues no pain fistula on gum Dentist talking root canal send endo I would like 3d or ct scan make sure root canal is ness . tiny plague under gum skipped cleaning say ROOT canal after fistula no other symptoms would 3d help me be sure?
Can dental cleaning and scaling clean off my teeth plague?
Upper 2 front teeth & 1 lower front feel rough (sandpaper) from inside sometimes, got cleaning done last week, no plague or tartar was there to began with. I floss daily too, Should i just brush them better?
Please help! what is the cause of your gums growing over a tooth?
Didn't find what you're looking for?
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.
Ask your questionMore of what we treat
Download HealthTap
Video visit and message your doctor
