What is Dental Plaque and How to Prevent it from Ruining your Dental Health?

What is Dental Plaque and how is it formed?

What comes to your mind when you hear the term, Dental Plaque? Something icky? Well, dental plaque is pretty icky, because it is actually a sticky and colorless film of bacteria on the teeth. You see, our mouth naturally contains bacteria and when the bacteria interact with the sugars and starches in the food that you consume, it results in the formation of dental plaque. This dental plaque can be removed easily with regular brushing and flossing. While we all develop dental plaque naturally, not maintaining good dental hygiene speeds up dental plaque build up. Dental plaque, when not removed regularly, turns into tartar. Tartar buildup is more stubborn than plaque and you will need a visit to your dentist's office to get it cleaned up. Plaque can also result in painful cavities and gum diseases.

One sureshot way to reduce dental plaque formation is to cut down on food that is high in sugar and carbohydrates. (Yes! Sugar and carbs are the villains again!)

What's tartar and what's the difference between plaque and tartar?

Let's now understand what tartar is and how plaque and tartar are different. As discussed above, plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that can be gotten rid of by simply brushing and flossing properly. Tartar, also known as calculus, on the other hand, is hardened plaque that sticks along the gumline. Tartar, unlike plaque, cannot be removed by brushing and flossing. You'll need to pay a visit to your local dental clinic to get rid of tartar.

What Causes Plaque Buildup?

Apart from excessive consumption of sugar and carbs, there are many other factors that result in plaque buildup. Some of them are-

• Not maintaining proper oral hygiene: Even something as simple as brushing twice a day goes a long way in helping prevent plaque buildup.
• Excessive consumption of sugary and starchy foods: Consuming food items that contain a lot of sugar such as candies, chocolates and cola creates an environment that helps the plaque-causing bacteria to flourish.
• Lack of hydration and saliva: A lesser known reason for plaque buildup includes lack of saliva due to dehydration or medicines that cause dry mouth. Saliva helps dissolve food particles lodged in the mouth and also works to neutralize acids. Another cause would be smoking and tobacco use. Both affect natural saliva production negatively.

Effects of Plaque on Oral Health and the correlation between Gum Disease and Plaque

Plaque buildup affects oral health in multiple ways. The acid in the plaque film erodes the enamel on your teeth causing cavities. Plaque is usually the precursor to gum diseases. It can cause red, swollen or bleeding gums. When plaque builds up along the gumline, it can cause gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis that could potentially lead to teeth loss. Also, when your mouth becomes a breeding ground for plaque-causing bacteria, it also results in a condition called halitosis, or in layman's terms-bad breath. And of course, one very clearly observed effect of plaque in the long term is discoloration of your teeth, wherein they lose their milky white appearance and start to appear yellow or stained.

How to prevent plaque buildup?

Brushing right and maintaining good oral hygiene

You can prevent plaque build up by following good oral hygiene such as brushing twice a day, and flossing regularly to ensure there is no food residue in your mouth that the plaque causing bacteria can thrive on. Also, make sure you change your toothbrush every 4 months, even if the bristles don't 'look' worn out.

Avoid dry mouth

Another measure you can take is to ensure you stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, so you don't suffer from dry mouth and lack of saliva-a condition that allows the plaque-causing bacteria to breed. Other measures include rinsing your mouth with a good mouthwash and avoiding tobacco products as they can cause dry mouth.

Limiting sugary and starchy foods

While it may not be entirely possible or advisable to avoid sugar and carbs, limiting excessively sugary food items such as candy and cola. Also, brushing after consuming high-carb food items such as bread and pasta also helps! Also, brushing after consuming high-carb food items such as bread and pasta also helps!

Visiting your dentist regularly to check for plaque

Despite your best efforts, sometimes, you may end up having plaque buildup on your teeth. Hence it is advisable to visit your local dental clinic and have your dentist or dental hygienist to check for plaque. If the plaque is stubborn you may have to undergo professional dental cleaning for Plaque Removal.

How does professional dental cleaning help with tartar and plaque removal?

Even if you take all the precautions we discussed to keep tartar and plaque at bay, it is still a good idea to get your teeth checked and cleaned at least every 6 months by a trusted dentist. This is important because, no matter how well or how many times you brush or floss, there may be places within your mouth that's hard to reach using a regular toothbrush. Your dentist will have access to specialized tools to clean hard-to-reach areas.

Visiting a reputed dental clinic such as the Dazzling Smiles Dental Clinic in Tarneit can help you eliminate plaque and tartar effectively.

Picking the Best Toothpaste for Plaque Removal and Prevention

The right toothpaste also plays a key role in plaque removal and prevention. When choosing a toothpaste, make sure you pick one with-

• Fluoride, as it helps strengthen the teeth enamel and helps prevent cavities.
• Antibacterial agents such as triclosan because that's effective in reducing bacteria that cause plaque
• Tartar control ingredients such as pyrophosphates and zinc citrate prevent the plaque from hardening into tartar

Best Dental Clinic for Plaque Prevention and Removal in Tarneit, Victoria

If you are looking for the best dental clinic to visit for plaque removal and dental clinic, please be sure to check out Dazzling Smiles Dental, Tarneit Central Shopping Centre, Shop T21/540 Derrimut Rd, Tarneit VIC 3029, Australia. Dazzling Smiles Dental offers a wide range of dental health services including teeth cleaning which is an effective procedure for plaque removal and tartar prevention!

Don't let that dazzling smile be marred by plaque and tartar! Protect Your Dental Health Today!

If you're in Tarneit, Victoria, and need a professional dental cleaning, book an appointment today with Dazzling Smiles Dental. You can book an appointment online in just a few clicks or call us at (03) 9111 7349

We'll be back next week with another interesting topic on dental hygiene and health. Until then, keep flashing that dazzling smile of yours!