materia alba

materia alba definition - medical

ma·te·ri·a al·ba (mə-tîrˈē-ə ălˈbə)

noun
A white cheeselike accumulation of food debris, microorganisms, desquamated epithelial cells, and blood cells deposited around the teeth at the gumline.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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