Have you ever glimpsed your teeth look sparkly and white after a dental cleaning, but they appear dull and yellow with time? That yellowish color comes from plaque, a filmy substance driven by bacteria. Plaque accumulates on your teeth both above and below your gumline. It can damage your teeth and gums if not withdrawn. If you don’t clear plaque, it solidifies into tartar. Plaque can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and tooth loss. Routine dental check-ups removes plaque and protect teeth.
So, what exactly is plaque, you may ask?
Plaque, also called Biofilm, is a pale coating of bacteria build-up on your teeth. When we consume carbohydrate-rich foods, the bacteria in our mouths feed on those carbohydrates and build acids. These acids can eradicate tooth enamel and yield cavities and gingivitis. Additionally, plaque will solidify into tartar and easily make your gums swollen and bleed, a premature sign of gum disease. Untreated plaque can clot into tough-to-remove tartar. Plaque removal is easy with good oral hygiene and your dental hygienist’s support.
Who may be more likely to get a plaque?
Although everyone gets plaque, you may produce more plaque than moderate if you:
- Gulp a lot of sugary or starchy foods or drinks.
- Consume drugs like antidepressants or conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome, and have a dry mouth.
- Have a record of head/neck radiation.
- Smoke.
SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES
What causes Plaque?
Plaque builds when bacteria in your mouth combine with sugary or starchy foods, such as milk, juice, soft drinks, bread, pasta, and fruit. These bacteria release acids that break down carbohydrates in food and drinks. If you don’t brush your teeth shortly after eating or drinking, bacteria, acids, and carbohydrates can mix into a sticky, colorless flick called plaque.
What are the symptoms of plaque?
A vague feeling on the teeth is the principal sign that you have plaque. Other indicators include:
- Chronic bad breath (Halitosis).
- Red, swollen, tender gums bleed after brushing (Gum Disease).
What are the complications of plaque?
If you don’t brush and floss daily, plaque can solidify into tartar. Only a Dental Professional can remove tartar. Plaque and tartar can lead to:
- Cavities.
- Gingivitis and Periodontal (gum) disease.
- Severe gum infection (Periodontitis).
- Tooth decay and loss.
- Tooth infection (Abscessed Tooth).
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS
How is plaque diagnosed?
Your dentist or dental hygienist uses tools during regular dental check-ups to find and remove plaque. Plaque can cause cavities. You may also get dental X-rays to check for cavities.
MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT
How is plaque managed or treated?
Good oral hygiene, including routine brushing and flossing, removes plaque and prevents tartar build-up. Your dental professional will scour plaque and tartar from your teeth during a dental examination. Your provider may also recommend:
- Dental sealants to keep plaque from forming on the top chewing surfaces of teeth.
- Dry mouth medications to increase saliva production.
- Fluoride treatments slow the growth of plaque-causing bacteria and stop tooth decay.
- Prescription toothpaste or antibacterial mouthwash (chlorhexidine).
PREVENTION
How can I prevent plaque?
The easiest way to vacate plaque is to brush your teeth twice daily. When the bristles begin to wrangle, you should use a soft toothbrush that you substitute for at least three to four months. You could also consider using an electric toothbrush, which can be more effective at removing plaque than a traditional toothbrush.
Floss before you brush to loosen any bits of food so you can brush them away. To floss your teeth:
- Take about 18 inches of floss, wrapping one end around your middle fingers.
- Hold the floss taut between your thumbs and forefingers, then gently push the floss between two teeth.
- Move the floss into a “C” shape on the side of one tooth.
- Rub the floss up and down gently, pressing it against your tooth. Be careful not to jerk or snap the floss.
- Repeat this process for all of your teeth, taking care to floss behind your back teeth.
After flossing, you should spend two minutes brushing your teeth each time. To brush your teeth:
- Put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush. For children, the amount of toothpaste should be about the size of a grain of rice.
- Hold your toothbrush on your teeth at a 45-degree angle to your gums.
- Move your toothbrush back and forth in short, gentle strokes the same width as each of your teeth.
- Brush all the outside surfaces, inside surfaces, and chewing surfaces of your teeth, and don’t forget your tongue.
- Tilt your toothbrush vertically and make small up-and-down strokes for the inside of your front teeth.
Unfortunately, plaque amasses again quickly after being brushed away. Some experts recommend other at-home treatments to remove plaque build-up. These include oil pulling and baking soda treatments.
Oil pulling
Swishing oil, usually coconut or olive oil, near your mouth may strengthen your teeth, prevent tooth decay, soothe sore gums, and remove plaque.
To perform an “oil pull,” swish about one tablespoon of coconut or olive oil around your mouth for 20 to 30 minutes. Coconut oil is believed to be particularly fruitful because it contains fatty acids.
Baking soda
People who brush their teeth with toothpaste containing baking soda remove more plaque and have less plaque growth over 24 hours than people who brush their teeth with no baking soda toothpaste.
Baking soda removes plaque because it’s a natural cleanser and an abrasive, meaning it’s suitable for scrubbing. Good tooth and gum care is key to reducing plaque. You should:
- Floss daily: Floss once daily with dental floss or a water flosser to get rid of food and plaque stuck between teeth. Studies show that flossing before brushing teeth removes more plaque.
- Brush twice a day: Brush teeth for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brush at least twice a day, and preferably after every meal.
- Chew sugarless gum: Chew sugar-free gum if you can’t brush soon after eating or drinking.
- Choose healthy foods: Cut back on sugary, starchy foods and drinks. Instead, choose nutritious foods and snacks such as plain yogurt, cheese, raw vegetables, or fruit.
- See your dentist: Get dental check-ups at least twice a year.
- Use mouthwash: Rinse with an over-the-counter or prescription antiseptic mouthwash.
Smoking and chewing tobacco also encourage bacteria growth in the teeth. Quit using tobacco products, and don’t start if you’ve never tried them.
Getting rid of that sticky biofilm is easy. Thoroughly cleaning all surfaces between your teeth and under the gumline can help remove the food debris that feeds bacteria. When plaque has hardened into tartar, also known as calculus, you must visit your dental hygienist to remove it, as standard brush and flossing will not.
Practicing good oral hygiene
Practicing good oral hygiene is the best way to remove plaque and tartar. To brush the teeth effectively, a person can:
- Start in the back of the mouth with the top molars.
- Use short, circular brush strokes.
- Brush the front and back surfaces of all the upper teeth.
- Repeat steps 1–3 on the bottom teeth.
After flossing and brushing the teeth, rinse out the mouth with mouthwash. Many over-the-counter types of mouthwash contain fluoride for extra protection against plaque.
People who have gingivitis may require a more muscular type of mouthwash. A dentist or another healthcare provider can prescribe antiseptic mouthwashes that are more potent than those available over the counter.
Prevention
The best way to prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth is by flossing once a day and brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings can help prevent and treat oral health problems.
Dentists examine the whole mouth, checking for signs of tooth decay and gum disease. They will also remove any plaque or tartar on the surface of the teeth and in difficult-to-reach places. Dentists can also treat the teeth with fluoride to help prevent tooth decay.
If a dentist notices cavities or gum inflammation signs, they will recommend ways to reduce symptoms and prevent further damage. They may prescribe medical mouthwash or suggest adjusting a person’s oral hygiene routine.
Dietary changes can also help prevent plaque and tartar build-up. Cutting back on sugar, starch, and acidic foods can reduce the risk of tooth decay.
To reduce the risk of plaque and tartar, a person should avoid:
- cookies, cake, and candy
- starchy or sugary foods that can stick to the teeth, such as bread, potato chips, and some dried fruits
- soda and sports drinks
- citrus juices
When should I call the doctor?
You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:
- Chronic bad breath.
- Facial swelling.
- Loose tooth.
- Pain or difficulty chewing.
- Redness around or inside the mouth.
- Swollen, bleeding gums, or other signs of gum disease.
- Toothache or mouth pain.
- Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- What’s the best way to prevent and get rid of plaque?
- How can I lower my risk of cavities and gum disease?
- What dietary changes should I make to reduce plaque?
- What should I look for in a toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash?
- How often should I get dental cleanings?
- Should I look out for signs of complications?
The bottom line
The better you care for your teeth, the less plaque and tartar accumulates. To prevent plaque build-up, brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss once. Also, visit your dentist regularly for preventative care and tartar removal. Taking good care of your teeth will keep you healthy in the long run. If you think you may have a dental issue related to plaque or tartar build-up, schedule an appointment with your dentist. The sooner you get the dental issue addressed, the minor damage it’s likely to cause, and the easier it will be to treat. The build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth can lead to gum disease, enamel loss, and tooth decay.