Plaque is a film of bacteria and mucous that grows on your teeth. Some of the bacteria in the plaque make acids which decay your teeth. Other kinds of bacteria in the plaque make toxins which cause gum disease. The easiest and most effective way to remove the plaque from your teeth is to brush and floss. Those costly rinses just don't do it! When the plaque is hardened on your teeth it is called tartar or calculus. Then you need a Dental Hygienist or Dentist to remove it by "scaling" the tartar off.
Proper flossing removes the plaque that grows in between your teeth that toothbrushing can't remove. Wrap the floss around two fingers. This way you won't "choke" your fingers. Saw the floss back and forth to slip it between the contacts of your teeth. Once between your teeth curve the floss slightly around the tooth and scrape up & down to remove the sticky plaque. Waxed or unwaxed floss is fine. Just as long as you use it every day, once a day.
Dental Hygienists are trained, licensed professionals. Licensure varies from state to state but usually entails at least 3 years of college level training. Dental Hygienists are the teeth cleaning specialists, but they also provide oral hygiene instruction, administer local anesthetics (in most states) and provide some types of periodontal (gum disease) therapy. Dental Hygienists are strong advocates of the preventative approach to disease.
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