972-393-3368
RogerMathisDDS@DentistryOnline.com
Plaque is made up of a colony of bacteria that forms on teeth when food particles are not removed on a regular basis. These colonies require a full 24 hours to assemble and gain a foothold on the surface of the tooth, so that with proper oral hygiene, brushing and flossing, their formation is constantly being disrupted.
When formed, colonies of bacteria (plaque) can convert all carbohydrate food sources (in particular refined sugars) into acids that literally eat through the enamel coating of teeth. This is traditionally referred to as a "cavity." By disrupting this destructive process with daily brushing and flossing, the chances of forming a cavity is radically reduced, especially if a fluoride toothpaste is used.
Children are unlikely to fully assimilate this scientific explanation, so parents should formulate a version appropriate to their children's ages. For example, for young children, you can describe plaque as being the gummy, sticky stuff that collects on your teeth when they aren't brushed well, and that this sticky stuff can make cavity in their teeth because of the sugar bugs that live in them.
Depending on your child's age, you may want to modify that basic "kid's plaque" explanation to a higher or lower level. Be sure to use words that your child will comprehend, while being mindful of your own comfort level with using words that may seem a bit silly to you. Typically, children readily understand this approach and conceptually have a firm basis of understanding and an incentive to brush and floss!
Source - Greg Psaltis, DDS, pediatric dentist, Olympia, Wa.