ALL YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DENTAL PLAQUE

Did you ever wonder what the plaque on your teeth truly is? Dental plaque is an extremely sticky, colorless or pale yellow deposit of film that continuously builds on your teeth. When saliva, food and fluids mix together, plaque – which consists of bacteria – builds between your teeth and along the gum line which can damage your tooth enamel and gums. Scientists term plaque a “biofilm” since it’s certainly a community of living microbes surrounded by a gluey polymer layer. The sticky coating aids the microbes stick to surfaces in your mouth so they can advance into strong micro colonies. It makes teeth “feel fuzzy” to the tongue and is most evident when teeth are not brushed.

What Causes Plaque?

Bacteria and other organisms make an entry in your mouth while you eat, drink, and breathe. In maximum times, a delicate balance is maintained in your oral ecosystem, but issues can emerge when particular strains of bacteria become excessive. When you consume carbohydrates and sugary items and drinks, such as milk, juice, soft drinks, bread, pasta and fruit, bacteria feed on the sugars, generating acids in the process. Those acids can cause trouble such as cavities, gingivitis, and other kinds of tooth decay. Even if you have a history of head/neck radiation or a heavy smoker, then that can also cause plaque. Untreated plaque can harden into tough-to-remove tartar.

What are the Symptoms?

• • A fuzzy feeling on the teeth 
  • Chronic bad breath (Halitosis)
  • Red, swollen, tender gums that usually bleed after brushing (Gum issues)

What will your Dentist do in Cypress, TX?

Your dentist can detect plaque on your teeth using a small mirror during an oral examination. Plaque that has hardened into tartar (a hard, yellow or brown deposit that tightly adheres to the teeth) will have to be cleared by your dental professionalin Cypress, TX. Your dentist or oral hygienist can clean it when you go for a regular checkup and Dental Cleaning. 

How Can Plaque Formation Be Prevented?

• • Brush your teeth twice daily with a soft, rounded-tip bristled toothbrush for at least two minutes. Few dentists suggest electric toothbrushes since they are believed to be more effective at cleaning plaque.
  • Pay extra attention to the gaps where the gums and teeth attach. Use fluoridated toothpaste.

• • Floss between teeth once a day to eliminate food particles and bacteria.
  • Remember to make use of an antibacterial mouthwash to lessen bacteria growth that cause plaque and gum problems.
  • Visit your dentist or oral hygienist every 6 months for a check-up and Teeth Cleaning.
  • Maintain a balanced diet and reduce the number of between-meal snacks. Vegetables, like celery, aid remove food and help saliva neutralize plaque-causing acids.

If you implement all these above healthy oral practices, then you will surely be able to battle plaque, before they start unbalancing your oral health and flaunt your confident smile!