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Your mouth is a busy place. Bacteria - tiny colonies
of living organisms are constantly on the move on your teeth,
gums, lips and tongue. Some of these bacteria can be harmful and
attach themselves to hard surfaces like the enamel that covers
your teeth. If they're not removed, they multiply and grow in
number. Proteins present in your saliva (spit) mix with the bacteria
becoming a whitish film on the tooth. This film is called plaque.
The plaque produces acid as it uses the sugar (and food remains)
in your mouth as a form of energy. The acid dissolves the
minerals that make your tooth enamel hard. The surface of the
enamel becomes porous - tiny holes appear. After a while, the
acid causes the tiny holes in the enamel to get bigger until one
large hole appears. This is a cavity. Removing the plaque from
your teeth on a consistent daily basis by brushing and flossing
can prevent this entire process.
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