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Plaque Watch School Project for better tooth care. Home * Brush * Floss * Chewing * Experiments * Supertooth book |
Flossing between teeth once a day is the recommended way to remove plaque and food from between teeth. www.ada.org.au This may be enough to prevent gum disease but is not enough to prevent tooth decay.
Almost all cavities occur where after every meal or snack, food is left trapped, between teeth and inside grooves on chewing surfaces where the brush, toothpaste, mouthwash, saliva and chewing gum, cannot remove plaque or trapped food. Trapped food prevents access of saliva and fluoride to neutralise acid and repair demineralised tooth.
Plaque changes carbohydrate like sugar and starch to acid, which demineralises tooth. A glass model shows how flossing can remove trapped food from between teeth before brushing to provide easy access for fluoride toothpaste to toughen those tooth surfaces. Saliva and fluoride help neutralise acid and repair demineralised tooth.
Chewing skills can help block food from being trapped while eating and help displace trapped after eating. Also chewing can help fluoride toothpaste access between teeth and inside grooves where almost all cavities occur