Millions of bacteria are on the move, the mouth is indeed a busy place. While some bacteria may be harmless, others are bound to attack the teeth as well as gums. They are contained in a colourless sticky film called plaque, the root cause of gum disease. If not removed, plaque builds up on the teeth and ultimately irritates the gums and causes bleeding. Left unchecked, bone and connective tissue are destroyed, and teeth often become loose and may have to be removed. Dr. Priyank Mathur of Smilekraft Dentistry lists 5 ways to maintain your oral hygiene while preventing gum disease: