What Is Plaque And What Can You Do About It?

Despite the advances made by dentistry in recent years, tooth decay remains a significant health problem worldwide. Among young people 6-19 years old, it’s the most common chronic disease. The other common dental condition, gum disease, affects almost half of Americans over 30 and 70% of those over 65 years. Dental plaque causes both of these costly yet preventable oral diseases. Read on to learn more about plaque and what you can do about it.

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What Is Dental Plaque?

Plaque accumulates at different rates from one person to another, but it forms on everyone’s teeth. Our mouth naturally has bacteria. When these naturally occurring bacteria combine with your saliva and sugars found in food, it forms a nearly invisible film that sticks to the surface of teeth. When plaque stays on the tooth, these bacteria produce harmful acids.

What Does Plaque Look Like?

When plaque first begins to form, it is virtually invisible to the naked eye. It accumulates, eliminates the shiny appearance of enamel, and leaves teeth with a dull and sometimes yellow appearance. Plaque can build up above the gum line and stay hidden beneath the gums and attached to the crown or root of a tooth.

Are Plaque And Tartar The Same?

Some people confuse plaque and tartar. Although both can harm your teeth and gums, differences exist between them:

Plaque

Here are the distinct characteristics of plaque:

·       Everyone must deal with plaque.

·       Plaque is invisible.

·       Plaque is soft.

·       You can remove plaque at home.

Tartar

Here are the distinct characteristics of tartar:

·       You can prevent tartar formation.

·       You can see tartar above the gumline.

·       Tartar is hard.

·       You cannot remove plaque at home; a dental professional must remove it with special instruments.

What Happens If You Don’t Remove Plaque?

If you don’t remove dental plaque, it can lead to:

·       Tartar formation

·       Dental cavities

·       Gum inflammation

·       Periodontal disease

·       Loose teeth

·       Extensive tooth decay

·       Abscessed tooth

·       Bad breath

·       Possible role in systemic diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease

Factors Causing Excessive Plaque

Although everyone develops plaque on their teeth, you build up more than usual amounts of plaque if you:

·       Consume a diet high in starch and sugar

·       Have dry mouth due to medications or a medical condition

·       Smoke

·       Have had head or neck radiation treatment

How Can I Prevent Plaque Accumulation?

Healthy teeth and gums are vital to oral and general health.

The key to great oral care is preventing the accumulation of dental plaque by taking these steps:

·  Floss every day. Flossing removes plaque beneath the gum line that brushing leaves behind. This is the only preventive measure you can take at home to prevent gum inflammation which can lead to bad breath and periodontal disease.

·  Brush twice each day. For best results, brush for two minutes at least twice each day. The best times for brushing are after meals and just before going to bed.

·  Eat a healthy diet. Eating a diet low in starches and sugar has many health benefits, including promoting healthier teeth and gums.

·  Chew sugar-free gum. This can keep your teeth cleaner if you can’t brush soon after eating a meal.

·  Use mouthwashes. Several kinds of over-the-counter and prescription mouthwashes can help protect against plaque.

·  Get regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings. No matter how well you brush and floss, you probably miss certain areas of your mouth. A professional cleaning can thoroughly remove all plaque and keep your teeth polished for a brighter smile.

Contact Trident General Dentistry

We hope you now understand what plaque is and what you can do about it. Preventing tooth decay and gum disease is a focus at Trident General Dentistry. If you would like more information on how you can keep your teeth and gums healthy, make an appointment with us today.

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