---
title: "What Is Dental plaque? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "Dental plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth all day long. If it stays, it can cause cavities and gum disease."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-plaque
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Conditions

# Dental plaque

Dental plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth all day long. If it stays, it can cause cavities and gum disease.

Plaque is a sticky film that constantly forms on your teeth. It is made mostly of bacteria. After a meal or snack that contains sugar, the bacteria in plaque can release acids that attack tooth enamel. Over time this leads to a [cavity](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/cavity-dental-caries).

Plaque also irritates the gums. If it is not removed, it can cause [gingivitis](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gingivitis). Plaque that stays on the teeth can also harden into [tartar](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tartar-calculus), which brushing cannot remove.

You can remove plaque by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth daily. A professional cleaning removes what is left. Our office describes cleanings on its [teeth cleaning page](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/teeth-cleaning).

[Town Center Dental can helpTeeth Cleaning](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/teeth-cleaning)

## Related terms

-   [Tartar (calculus)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tartar-calculus)
-   [Gingivitis](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/gingivitis)
-   [Cavity (dental caries)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/cavity-dental-caries)
-   [Biofilm](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/biofilm)
-   [Dental cleaning (prophylaxis)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-cleaning-prophylaxis)

## Sources

1.  [MouthHealthy (ADA): Plaque](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/plaque)
2.  [American Dental Association: Glossary of Dental Terms](https://www.ada.org/publications/cdt/glossary-dental-terms)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)