dental plaque

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Word: Dental Plaque

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Dental plaque is a sticky, thin film that forms on your teeth. It is made up of bacteria and mucus (a slippery substance produced by your body). If you don’t clean your teeth properly, this plaque can build up and lead to problems like cavities (holes in your teeth) and gum disease.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "dental plaque" when talking about oral health, dental hygiene, or when discussing problems related to teeth.
• It’s important to mention dental plaque when talking about how to take care of your teeth, like brushing and flossing.

Example Sentence:

• "If you don’t brush your teeth regularly, dental plaque can build up and cause cavities."

Advanced Usage:

• In more advanced discussions, you might hear terms like "biofilm" when referring to dental plaque, as it is a collection of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces in the mouth.

Word Variants:

• Plaque (noun): This is often used on its own to refer to the same substance.
• Plaque formation (noun phrase): Refers to the process of plaque developing on teeth.

Different Meanings:

• Plaque can also refer to a flat, thin piece of metal or wood that has writing on it, such as a commemorative plaque.

Synonyms:

• Tartar (though tartar is a hardened form of dental plaque that can only be removed by a dentist)
• Biofilm (in a scientific context)

Related Terms:

• Dental caries: This refers to tooth decay or cavities caused by the presence of dental plaque.
• Gingivitis: This is inflammation of the gums often related to dental plaque.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "dental plaque," you might hear phrases related to dental care, such as: - Brush up on: This means to improve your knowledge or skills in a particular area. For example, "I need to brush up on my dental hygiene." - Floss out: Though not a common phrase, it could mean to use dental floss to clean between your teeth effectively.

Summary:

Dental plaque is an important concept in dental health. Regular brushing and flossing help prevent plaque buildup, which can lead to more serious dental issues.

Academic

Noun

1. a film of mucus and bacteria deposited on the teeth that encourages the development of dental caries

Synonyms

• bacterial plaque