Sliding your tongue along the front of your teeth checking for slimy coatings, have you ever done this before? If so, that “fuzzy-toothed” feeling along the sides of your (no longer) pearly whites, is known as dental plaque.
Dental plaque is the sticky, colorless buildup of bacteria that constantly forms on our teeth. If you let it stick around for too long, it can damage your teeth and gums.
What causes dental plaque to form?
Everyone develops plaque because bacteria are constantly forming in our mouths from the stuff we eat. Food and saliva allows dental bacteria to grow. When the acids from plaque attack our teeth, the tooth enamel may break down, leading to the formation of cavities. Plaque is the main cause of cavities and gum disease. They can harden into tartar if not removed daily.
More so, if dental plaque is being ignored, it may irritate the gums around the teeth, leading to gingivitis (red, swollen, bleeding gums), periodontal disease and tooth loss.
- Floss daily to remove plaque in between your teeth and under the gum line. Dental flossing can be a crucial impact on your oral health. It is necessary to do after tooth brushing because there are edges in your teeth that toothbrush cannot be able to reach.
- Use mouth rinse. Mouth rinse is an antiseptic, that actually helps reduce the bacterial load found in plaque. Mouthwash is different,it can only freshens up one’s breath.
- Using mouth rinse prevents plaque buildup more than just brushing and flossing alone. Dr. Gurenlian suggests a 30-second swish twice each day as part of your tooth-cleaning routine.
- Avoid sticky foods. These are foods that cling to your teeth when you chew that are very hard to remove.
- Avoid sugary foods. Sugar helps create tooth decay if plaques are not removed.
- Schedule regular dental visits to your dentist, so they can look for any signs of dental problems.
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