Plaque buildup
The combination of daily brushing and flossing and routine dental visits [ideally every six months] can prevent the buildup of plaque on your teeth, which contributes to gum disease. Plaque is the sticky film that coat the teeth – if not adequately removed, it can turn into tartar, which may harbor bacteria and other pathogens that leads to gum disease.
Plaque is also a risk factor for bacterial infections and may lead to other severe tooth conditions such as periodontitis.