Let us find out. Also known as microbial plaque, dental plaque is a soft, sticky film or layer that accumulates on the teeth. It is a highly sticky substance that is colorless to pale yellow. The interesting aspect is that dental plaque forms on our teeth every day, and we experience it as the slippery coating in the morning before brushing our teeth. Dental plaque is formed when saliva, food, and drinks combine to produce bacteria deposits.
The bacteria in dental plaque secrete acids that attack the precious enamel, damaging the teeth and gums. Plaque often has a yellow color, and tartar can be yellow or brown. The buildup of either of these substances can cause your teeth to look chronically dirty. Bad Breath: The bacteria and food particles in plaque can also contribute to bad breath, especially if they have been building up over a longer period. Tartar tends to form most along the gum line and makes it even more difficult to clean your teeth of plaque, leading to even more tartar buildup over time.
On top of it all, tartar is extremely difficult to remove, and patients should not attempt to remove it themselves — unlike plaque removal, tartar removal requires the intervention of a dentist or dental hygienist. If this buildup is allowed to continue, tartar can start pushing against the gums, resulting in gum disease.
Gingivitis: Gum disease is most commonly caused by tartar buildup, which occurs when plaque is allowed to collect and harden. If enough tartar builds up underneath the gums, it can start pushing the gums away from the teeth and lead to early gum disease, called gingivitis. Symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen gums, as well as bleeding during brushing.
Gingivitis is reversible and often treated by removing the tartar buildup. Periodontitis: If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more advanced gum disease called periodontitis.
Periodontitis occurs when bacterial infections in the gums start to break down the gums and bone around your teeth. If left untreated, periodontitis can result in gum tissue loss and, in extreme cases, bone loss. If a patient loses enough of the bone supporting their teeth, they can start to lose their teeth.
These repeated attacks cause your immune system to be overactive, leading to unnecessary inflammation and fatigue. Over time, this can contribute to premature aging, systemic disease and other issues throughout the body. In fact, some studies link the bacteria in gum disease to heart disease. How to Tell If You Have Tartar If you leave plaque on your teeth, the minerals in your saliva begin to deposit into the plaque, causing it to calcify and harden, forming tartar.
How to Combat Plaque Removing plaque is easy but requires consistent maintenance. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help you get rid of plaque: Brush Twice a Day: Brushing your teeth twice a day removes plaque from the surfaces of your teeth, protecting them from decay.
You can use a soft-bristled toothbrush manually, or opt for an electric toothbrush for a little more power. Then, brush your teeth with an anti-plaque, fluoride toothpaste twice a day for at least two minutes. In fact, brushing alone only removes 40 percent of plaque. Your dentist or oral hygienist can remove it when you have a regular dental checkup and cleaning. To keep the bacteria in plaque from harming your teeth and gums, the most important thing you can do is clean your teeth every day.
Brush your teeth twice a day, and brush after eating sugary foods. The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes. To learn an effective technique for removing plaque while you brush, try the method recommended here:. And a vital part of good oral health is visiting your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups.
To get at the bacteria between your teeth, consider a mouth rinse product when you rinse and floss. Mouth rinses have lots of different active ingredients: Chlorhexidine CHX , probiotic, herbal, and essential oil mouth rinses have all been studied. CHX is available by prescription only. While it is effective for reducing plaque buildup and overall gum health, it can stain teeth, increase tartar buildup , and change the way food tastes to you.
A study showed both types significantly improve plaque levels without the staining that can occur with a CHX rinse. Some studies have also found that rinse products containing essential oils result in less plaque buildup than brushing and flossing alone. Listerine Cool Mint, for example, contains small amounts of menthol, thyme, wintergreen, and eucalyptus oils, and a review of studies found it reduces both plaque and gingivitis.
Always store mouth rinses someplace children cannot get to them. Some rinses contain ingredients that can be harmful if swallowed in large enough amounts.
Talk to your dentist about including cranberry products in your diet. Dental plaque begins forming on teeth hours after brushing, which is why it is so important to brush thoroughly at least twice a day and clean between them once daily. Plaque is the root cause of many oral health issues. First, plaque can contribute to bad breath and can make your teeth look dingy and yellow. More importantly, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel causing cavities.
This bacterial plaque can also cause the early stage of gum disease called gingivitis which is infection and inflammation of gums. If left untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis which is bone loss around the teeth and may even lead to eventual tooth loss.
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