More teeth are lost because of gum problems than because of tooth decay, so it is important to take care of your gums. Most adults have some degree of gum disease. Usually it progresses slowly and can be stopped from getting worse. Some people are genetically predisposed to developing gum problems.
When you don’t brush your teeth for a while, you will notice a yellowish sticky paste that accumulates on them. This material looks like food debris, but it’s actually a film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day.