Technical terms about prevention and oral hygiene beginning with A

Abrasion – Wear of the hard tooth tissue through mechanical action – for instance through brushing too hard or a highly abrasive toothpaste. RDA value Erosion

Aligner – Transparent plastic tray that moves teeth in small steps. It is worn 20 to 22 hours a day; everything you drink stays underneath it. That is why only water should be drunk outside mealtimes. Retainer Dental plaque

Amines – Sulphurous breakdown products of bacteria. They are the actual reason for unpleasant breath. Halitosis Tongue coating

Interdental space – Technical word for the space between the teeth – the surface between two neighbouring teeth. About a third of the tooth surface lies there. Interdental brush Dental floss