plaque
(Science: dentistry) dental plaque is a combination of food (left in the mouth after eating), bacteria (which live in the mouth) and bacterial byproducts (acidic wastes). These acidic wastes can break down the tooth enamel leading to tooth decay.
Plaque also irritates the gum tissue (see gingivitis) and eventually destroys periodontal tissue, promoting periodontal disease.
Dictionary > Plaques
You will also like...
New Zealand’s Unique Geographical History
Explore why New Zealand has such unique flora and fauna, and learn why long periods of geographical isolation. This less..
Chromosome Mutations
Mutations can also influence the phenotype of an organism. This tutorial looks at the effects of chromosomal mutations, ..
Darwin and Natural Selection
This tutorial investigates the genetic diversity in more detail. It also delineates how certain alleles are favored over..
Early Mammals on Earth
The Earth's ecosphere was rapidly changing and throwing up a wide range of ecological niches that new adaptive organisms..
The Human Nervous System
The nervous system is essentially a biological information highway. This tutorial gives an overview of the nervous syste..
Chemical Composition of the Body
The body is comprised of different elements with hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen as the major four. This tutorial..