Tooth plaque is a biofilm or mass of bacteria that grows on surfaces within the mouth. It is a sticky colorless deposit at first, but when it forms tartar it is brown or pale yellow that is commonly found between the teeth, front of teeth, behind teeth, on chewing surface, along the gumline, or below the gumline cervical margins.
Tooth plaque can give rise to dental caries (tooth decay) - the localised destruction of the tissues of the tooth by acid produced from the bacterial degradation of fermentable sugar.
To stop the tooth plaque follow these steps:
Step 1: Brush Every Day:
Brushing once a day is good, but twice is better. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste.
“Brushing twice daily prevents plaque from forming in the first place and disrupts any plaque that has already started to form and mature,” says JoAnn R. Gurenlian, PhD, a professor in the department of dental hygiene at Idaho State University.
Make sure that the brushing you get all the areas of your mouth, including teeth, gums, tongue, and the insides of your cheeks. The process should take about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Clean Between Your Teeth:
Flossing may not be much fun, but cleaning between your teeth every day can have a big impact on your oral health.
If you have a tough time with floss, ask your dentist about interdental brushes, floss aides, water, or air-flossing devices.
Step 3: Use a Mouth Rinse: Mouth rinse and mouthwash are two different things.
“Mouthwash is used to freshen breath,” Gurenlian says. “An antiseptic mouth rinse, however, actually helps to reduce the bacterial load found in plaque.”
Using mouth rinse prevents plaque buildup more than just brushing and flossing. Gurenlian suggests a 30-second swish twice a day.
Step 4: Avoid Sticky, Sugary Food:
The hardest foods to get off your teeth are ones that cling when you chew. Think raisins, granola bars, or sticky candy. Sugary and starchy foods are some of the most harmful to teeth.
“If sugar is not removed from your teeth shortly after you eat it, plaque uses it to help create tooth decay,” Gurenlian says. The faster you can get food off your teeth, the less likely you are to get cavities.
Step 5: Go to the Dentist:
See your dentist regularly, so they can look for signs of disease. Most people have to visit only twice a year.
Tooth plaque can give rise to dental caries (tooth decay) - the localised destruction of the tissues of the tooth by acid produced from the bacterial degradation of fermentable sugar.
To stop the tooth plaque follow these steps:
Step 1: Brush Every Day:
Brushing once a day is good, but twice is better. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste.
“Brushing twice daily prevents plaque from forming in the first place and disrupts any plaque that has already started to form and mature,” says JoAnn R. Gurenlian, PhD, a professor in the department of dental hygiene at Idaho State University.
Make sure that the brushing you get all the areas of your mouth, including teeth, gums, tongue, and the insides of your cheeks. The process should take about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Clean Between Your Teeth:
Flossing may not be much fun, but cleaning between your teeth every day can have a big impact on your oral health.
If you have a tough time with floss, ask your dentist about interdental brushes, floss aides, water, or air-flossing devices.
Step 3: Use a Mouth Rinse: Mouth rinse and mouthwash are two different things.
“Mouthwash is used to freshen breath,” Gurenlian says. “An antiseptic mouth rinse, however, actually helps to reduce the bacterial load found in plaque.”
Using mouth rinse prevents plaque buildup more than just brushing and flossing. Gurenlian suggests a 30-second swish twice a day.
Step 4: Avoid Sticky, Sugary Food:
The hardest foods to get off your teeth are ones that cling when you chew. Think raisins, granola bars, or sticky candy. Sugary and starchy foods are some of the most harmful to teeth.
“If sugar is not removed from your teeth shortly after you eat it, plaque uses it to help create tooth decay,” Gurenlian says. The faster you can get food off your teeth, the less likely you are to get cavities.
Step 5: Go to the Dentist:
See your dentist regularly, so they can look for signs of disease. Most people have to visit only twice a year.