I was under the impression that bacteria and it's byproducts make up plaque. Bacteria feeds on sugars and other carbohydrates. If plaque sits on your teeth it creates an acid as it breaks down, thereby increasing your chances of decay or periodontal disease. Cheddar cheese or sugarless gum can help neutralize this effect...there is something in the cheese and salivary flow is stimulated with the gum which helps cleanse the mouth. Rinsing is a good idea, but it doesn't rinse off anything that is adhered to the tooth. Crunchy things such as apples and carrots help physically remove it. Flossing is the only way to get interproximally. It needs to be broken up every 12-24 hours so as not to cause a problem. Brush gently with the brush angled into the gums at a 45 degree angle and don't do long strokes or use a lot of pressure or you can recede the tissue and wear into the tooth structure.
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Tracie 
open RNY 4/16/04
318/160/140
Newest addition, Charles William, 4/1/08 
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