Plaque and periodontal diseasese.

what you should know and what you can do

This leaflet explains how you and your dentist or hygienist can work together to help prevent plaque and periodontal diseases.

what is a tooth?

ToothTeeth consist of a crown and root, which are formed by three elements; enamel, dentine, and pulp.

• Enamel covers the crown and is the hardest tissue in the body   
• Dentine is the major part of the tooth   
• Pulp contains nerves and blood vessels

How are teeth attached to the jaws?
Each tooth has a root which is embedded in the jaw bone. The root is anchored to the bone by many tiny fibres.
The jaw bone is covered by soft gum tissue, which acts like a cuff around the neck of the tooth.

What is plaque?

The mouth contains millions of bacteria; they stick to the surface of your teeth and quickly multiply to form plaque.
Plaque is a film of bacteria which forms on the tooth surface.

Plaque is responsible for the two most common oral diseases; tooth decay and gum disease.

what are the early signs of periodontal diseases?

Periodontal disease can often go unnoticed until it is quite  advanced. However, most people will notice signs like red, swollen gums; bleeding gums and bad breath.

A classic sign of gingivitis is when gums bleed during brushing and this is often the first indication of periodontal disease people notice.