Tooth Plaque Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

Maintaining oral hygiene is important to stay away from several painful conditions. One of these is the development of plaque. Tooth plaque is a problem that a lot of people struggle with. While it is completely okay to get it, it can cause major harm to your teeth if not treated well in time. This can prevent the development of cavities or any gum related disease. 

Preventing tooth decay or cavities require you to be careful about what you eat and maintain proper oral hygiene. Plaque is a sticky coating that can be really uncomfortable and make your teeth appear dirty.

Causes

For dealing with it, you need to start by understanding what plaque actually is. Your mouth has bacteria present in it naturally. When you eat sugary or sticky food, it remains stuck in between the teeth for a long time. The bacteria break the food down to produce an acidic substance which results in the formation of a biofilm called plaque. It can also harm your gums and the bones supporting the teeth. You can feel this a fuzzy layer on your teeth which is colourless or yellow.

Plaque can harden over time if not removed. This is termed as tartar that develops on your gumline and teeth. Only a dentist can help remove this buildup as it is harder, stickier and difficult to get rid of.

Prevention

Preventing the development of plaque is much better than dealing with its aftermath. Here’s how you can avoid the formation of this stick layer on your teeth-

• Use flouride toothpaste to brush twice daily.  
• Clean your mouth after eating anything sugary.
• Use a brush with rounded bristles to reach all parts of the mouth.
• Floss once daily to remove any food particle remaining in the mouth.
• Avoid too much sugary and carbohydrate-rich food as the bacteria thrives on it.
• Eat vegetables that can neutralize the acid produced by bacteria.
• Regularly use a mouthwash with antibacterial properties to rinse the mouth.
• Get your teeth checked by a dentist routinely.  
• Always brush your teeth before going to bed. This removes any food particle stuck in the mouth that can be broken down by the bacteria.

Treatment

Removing plaque from your teeth requires maintaining proper oral hygiene. You can get rid of this buildup with regular brushing and flossing. Using an electric toothbrush can also help as it is more effective in cleaning. If you haven’t cleaned the plaque and it has hardened to form tartar, you cannot get rid of it yourself. You will have to get this tartar cleaned by a medical professional.

If you are observing a sticky coating on your teeth, you should immediately see a dentist to help find out if it is plaque. Timely intervention can prevent any major harm to your teeth in the future. Adopting better hygiene practices for your teeth like proper brushing and flossing can significantly improve its condition.  

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.