Plaque Prevention Made Easy: Daily Habits for Oral Health
We may not have understood why our parents made us brush our teeth every day when we were younger, but their efforts were definitely valuable. Good oral habits protect us from various oral health complications like tooth decay and gum disease due to plaque buildup.
What is a Tooth Plaque?
A plaque is a sticky, colorless film that forms on your teeth. Sometimes, it can have some color because food particles stick to it. When you have a dental plaque buildup, your teeth may look and feel fuzzy. And you can feel this when you run your tongue over your teeth.
Plaque develops when you eat sugary and starchy foods but don’t clean your teeth regularly. Your mouth has bacteria which release acids. If you don’t brush, the bacteria and the acids mix with the carbohydrates to form plaque. Dental plaque can cause:
- A bad breath
- A fuzzy feeling in your teeth
If you don’t get rid of the plaque regularly, it will turn into tartar or dental calculus. Tartar buildup looks off-white or yellow initially, but after a while, it takes on the color of the food and beverages you eat or drink. In case you’re wondering how to remove tartar from teeth without a dentist, then you should know that it’s pretty difficult once it reaches this point.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, you cannot floss or brush it away; the best way to get rid of it is by letting a hygienist or dentist do it. And just to back that up, a systematic review on professional mechanical plaque removal for prevention of periodontal disease found that professional cleaning is effective, especially when combined with oral hygiene instruction.
Extreme dental plaque and calculus can lead to cavities, tooth infections, gingivitis, and tooth loss. The situation might worsen to become severe periodontal disease. At this point, the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, allowing bacteria to cause further damage to the bone.
Experts say there's a link between periodontal disease and different other issues, including:
- Dementia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Premature birth
While research is still underway, scientists believe that the bacteria causing harm in the oral cavity enter the bloodstream and affect other organs as well.
Tips for Preventing Plaque Build-up and Maintaining Optimal Dental Hygiene at Home
From what we’ve seen, plaque can cause so much harm. But the good news is there are easy daily habits that you can adopt for plaque prevention.
Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
Brush after meals using a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure to brush for at least two minutes, covering all surfaces of your teeth. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if the bristles are frayed. This helps protect your tooth enamel from plaque damage.
Floss Every Day
Floss to clear plaque and food particles between your teeth and under your gum line. Use dental floss to reach areas your toothbrush can’t. Gently slide the floss between your teeth, and move it up and down to clean each tooth.
Rinse With a Mouthwash
Rinse for 30 seconds after brushing and flossing to reach areas that brushing alone can’t. Look for a mouthwash the American Dental Association recommends for the best results.
Cut Back on Sugary and Acidic Foods
Sugary foods and drinks feed the bacteria in your mouth, forming plaque. Limit your sweets, sodas, and acidic foods like citrus fruits. Instead, eat a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Eating raw vegetables can help clean your teeth and stimulate saliva production, which neutralizes acids.
Scrape Your Tongue
Clean your tongue daily with a tongue scraper or your toothbrush. This removes bacteria and food particles, reducing bad breath and further decreasing plaque buildup.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
The ADA recommends bi-annual visits for check-ups and cleanings. Regular visits help catch and treat issues early, preventing serious problems later. Dental professionals have the tools and expertise to remove plaque and tartar.
Let’s explore some procedures and techniques that dentists in a dental practice or medical center use to help you fight the battle against plaque:
Professional Cleanings
During a professional cleaning, your dentist or dental hygienist will use special tools to remove calculus and plaque that you can't remove with regular brushing and flossing. This process, called scaling, involves scraping off the calculus from your teeth and below the gumline.
Fluoride Treatments
These can help strengthen tooth enamel and make it more resistant to plaque and decay. During your visit, your dentist may apply concentrated fluoride gel, foam, or varnish to your teeth, which provides extra protection against cavities.
Dental Sealants
These are thin, protective coatings that cover the chewing surface of your molars. They prevent the harmful, cavity-causing bacteria from getting stuck in the pits of your teeth, so they're easier to clean and reducing the risk of cavities.
Antimicrobial Treatments
If you have gum disease, your dentist might use antimicrobial treatments to reduce bacteria in your mouth. These treatments can include mouth rinses or gels you apply at home or antibiotics your dentist places directly into the gum pockets around your teeth.
Customized Oral Hygiene Advice
Your dentist will advise you on how to improve your at-home oral care routine. They'll show you the best brushing and flossing techniques and recommend products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss that suit your needs.
Daily Dental Care Habits Are Critical
While your dentist can provide valuable treatments and professional cleanings to help combat plaque, the most critical role in maintaining your oral health is what you do at home every day. Brushing your teeth, flossing daily, etc., are all vital to keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
Remember, your daily oral hygiene routine is your first line of defense against plaque buildup. To support your efforts, Dental Finds offers a selection of high-quality dental tools and equipment designed to help you assist your patients in maintaining a healthy mouth at home. We also have a range of tools just for dentists, ensuring that dental professionals have the best instruments available for their practice.