Read the text carefully. Pay attention to words in the bold print
Plaque is a soft deposit that contains millions of bacteria that forms a thin, stickyfilm on the teeth. When we eat certain foods – especially sugary foods, sodas and carbohydrates – they interact with the bacteria in the plaque and acid forms. Because the plaque on our teeth is so sticky, the acid clings to our teeth and, over time, it can dissolve the enamel. Ultimately, this leads to tooth decay. Plaque which is not removed from the teeth can harden and turn into calculus. This is much more difficult to remove. It is also the factor which may lead to the spread of gum disease, which is one of the main reasons why adults lose their teeth.

Gum disease is a problem that escalates unless it is treated. The build-up of plaque can cause the bacteria to irritate your gums, so that your gums can becomeswollen and sore. This is called gingivitis and it is fairly common. If gingivitis is not treated, it can escalate into periodontitis which is a far more serious form of gum disease.

Luckily, plaque is fairly easy to remove by regular brushing. Therefore, sticking to a good oral hygiene regimen is important. Dentists recommend that you should brush twice every day for at least two minutes at a time. You should buy a new toothbrush at least every three months, as they become less effective at removing plaque over time.

Dentists and oral hygiene experts also recommend regular flossing. One of the dangers of plaque is that it can accumulate at the base of teeth where it is hard toreach by brushing. Flossing will help to remove this plaque before it starts to damage teeth.

The third part of oral hygiene regimen should be regular dentists visits. Plaque only causes significant problems if it is allowed to build up and harden into calculus. If the dentists visits are regular, specialists will be able to identify plaque that brushing and flossing has failed to remove. Dentist will be able to remove these pockets of plaque.

If the plaque has hardened and turned into calculus, this requires much more in-depth cleaning around the roots of the teeth and the gums. This procedure can be painful so local anaesthetic may be necessary.

Finally, it is also important to remember that the bacteria in plaque react with sugary snacks and drinks. Therefore avoiding these types of food will be a must.

Some people may benefit from adding a therapeutic mouth rinse to their daily routine. Several mouth rinses with fluoride have been shown to help prevent plaque and tooth decay. No mouth rinse can substitute for brushing and flossing, however.

GLOSSARY
accumulate – gromadzić się 
acid – kwas 
base – baza, podstawa 
brushing – szczotkowanie 
benefit – odnieść korzyści 
calculus – kamień nazębny 
cling – przyczepiać się 
contain – zawierać 
deposit – osad 
dissolve – rozpuszczać 
escalate – pogarszać się 
every three months – co 3 miesiące 
factor – czynnik 
failed – nie powiodło się 
fairly – stosunkowo 
flossing – używanie nici dentystycznej
harden – twardnieć
irritate – podrażnić
mouth rinse – płyn do płukania jamy ustnej
over time – w miarę upływu czasu
periodontitis – zapalenie przyzębia
plaque – płytka bakteryjna nazębna
reach – osiągnąć coś 
regimen – tryb postępowania
remove – usunąć
sore – obolały, bolący
sticky – klejący, lepki
substitute – zastąpić
swollen – spuchnięty
turn into – zmienić się
unless – jeśli nie

Decide if the following statements are TRUE or FALSE

1. Improper diet may lead to destruction of enamel and in a long-run to tooth decay. 
2. Calculus may be really problematic as it is difficult to remove. 
3. Gum disease is dangerous even when it’s treated. 
4. Plaque is always accompanied by gingivitis. 
5. Proper dental hygiene is a key for plaque elimination.
6. Plaque will accumulate at the crown of the tooth. 
7. Calculus elimination may be a really painful procedure.
8. Mouth rinses are as effective as toothbrushes and dental flosses, that is why they can be used interchangeably.

Match each term from the table with proper definition

1. ………………. – to clean the surfaces between your teeth with a special soft thread. 
2. ………………. – a substance which is characterized by a sour taste. 
3. ………………. – soft damaged area in a teeth which left untreated may lead to the death of the tooth. 
4. ……………….. – a clear bacteria film on a surface of the tooth. 
5. ……………….. – a condition of inflammation, soreness, or irritability of a bodily organ or part.
6. ……………….. – an abnormal enlargement of a bodily structure or part.
7. ……………….. – the hard substance covering the exposed portion of a tooth.
8. ……………….. – a regulated system, as of diet, therapy, or exercise, intended to promote health or achieve another beneficial effect.
9. ……………….. – inflammation of the gums.
10. ……………….. – a disease that attacks the gum and bone and around the teeth.

Translate these useful phrases into English.

1. Szczotkuj zęby dwa razy dziennie i używaj nici dentystycznej przynajmniej raz dziennie.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. Polecałabym/Polecałbym pastę do zębów z dużą zawartością fluoru.
………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Proszę pamiętać, że niektóre pokarmy, takie jak słodycze, napoje gazowane, są wyjątkowo szkodliwe dla Pańskich zębów. 
……………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Jeśli nie masz możliwości wyczyszczenia zębów po posiłku, pamiętaj, aby wypłukać usta wodą, użyć płynu do płukania jamy ustnej lub żuć bezcukrową gumę do żucia. 
……………………………………………………………………………………………
5. Pamiętaj, że profilaktyka jest kluczem. Wizyta u dentysty powinna odbywać się co 6 miesięcy. 
…………………………………………………………………………………………….

  Lesson 4 - answers