After consuming food, if the mouth is not cleaned, you would notice a sticky colourless film of bacteria mostly along the gum line – this is plaque. Plaque contains an abundance of bacteria that is the root cause of many dental problems like cavities and gum diseases. When this plaque is not cleaned, it gets hardened and forms tartar. Those who pay little or no attention to oral hygiene will most likely see plaque formation on their teeth.
Plaque develops in all of us. Bacteria is present in our mouth and it continues to develop and hence plaque formation is inevitable. It is difficult to notice plaque as it is colourless, but people sometimes have a woolly feeling in the teeth or tongue when they have not brushed. When tartar is formed, it can be seen attached on the enamel of the teeth. Plaque will cause irritation in the gums and develop irritation in the area.
As mentioned, plaque develops when food particles are not cleaned, they are left on the teeth. The main culprits of plaque are foods which are high in carbohydrates and sugar. When food remains in the mouth, bacteria act on these food particles and produce plaque. When plaque is not removed, it solidifies into tartar which is rough and porous and can be seen along the gum lines. This can be removed using special tools at the dentist’s office.
As tartar is hard, it is difficult to remove with normal brushing and flossing. This results in decay of the teeth. This happens, when the bacteria in the tartar works on the gum line and eats away the tissues. Complications of this gum disease can lead to breakdown of the bone structure in the jaws and even lead to heart problems.
Preventing and removing plaque
Preventing and removing plaque is of extreme importance when it comes to maintaining oral health. It is important that care is given to removing plaque as oral health gets affected adversely if it is not cleaned. Ignoring plaque can lead to other serious dental diseases and also affect health in different ways. There are few steps that can be taken to prevent plaque formation.
Brushing and Flossing
Brushing teeth twice a day is very important for oral hygiene. Cleaning teeth at night after dinner is important, many fail to do this. Food particles that remain in the teeth can pave the way for plaque formation. While brushing, care needs to be taken in cleaning the area between the teeth and gum line as plaque forms there. Not just brushing, but flossing at least once a day is important. Cleaning between the tiny spaces between the teeth is important – food can get stuck here. It is important to clean the tongue as well as bacteria build up can happen there.
Staining to removing plaque
The greatest difficulty that one would come across with removing plaque is that they are colourless. It is impossible to know how much is present in the teeth. Brushing also sometimes does not provide the desired effect as sometimes one might not notice the place where plaque is forming.
To help in such a situation, there are tablets available in the market. These tablets can be chewed, they produce stain in the places where there is plaque. They stain in either red or green colour- this stain will be in places where there is plaque. This helps in easy identification. Once they are located, it is easy to brush/floss them away.
Mouthwash
Cleaning is also achieved by using mouthwash. Antibacterial mouthwash will help to clean and reduce bacteria that builds up plaque. Checking the market for a good quality product or asking your dentist to recommend a good mouthwash will help in reducing plaque formation.
Toothpaste and Brushes
Toothpastes are available in the market that are anti-bacterial help in reducing the amount of bacteria built up in the mouth. There are anti-plaque toothpastes that one can buy from the market. For more efficient cleaning, electric toothbrushes are recommended.
Soft bristled tooth brushes are also known to be effective in cleaning. You can check with your dentist to find out which suits your needs best. It is also recommended that tooth brushes should be changed once in 4-5 months’ time.
Diet
Healthy food contributes towards oral health. Eating healthy balanced diets and reducing sugary food intake will help in reduction in plaque formation. Drinking water after meals helps in washing away food debris from the mouth. When a person consumes sugary food, bacteria attaches readily on this and works on it and releases acid. This can contribute to dental problems.
Certain foods also play a major role in keeping our teeth clean. Crunchy vegetables like apples, carrots, celery etc. help to clean teeth from plaque. Though they contain sugar, they help the teeth by cleaning it. Reducing the amount of snacks between meals, opting for healthy options like salads, cheese etc. also helps to keep teeth clean and promote good oral health.
Smoking and Tobacco chewing
Studies have shown that those who smoke or chew tobacco have more chances of developing plaque and tartar when compared with non-users. These habits typically contribute to low oral hygiene. When hygiene habits are not followed properly, plaque forms rather easily.
Sealants
It has been found that even with regular brushing, keeping the teeth clean with all the fissures in the teeth especially the molars can be quite difficult. Dental sealants work as a plastic coating over the teeth and prevent the attack from bacteria. This service can be availed after checking with dentists depending on your oral needs.
Regular Dental examination
Timely check-ups with dentists will help to clean plaque to be removed from the teeth. This will also prevent tartar built up. Even if one follows a good cleaning regime, some adamant deposits can be removed easily with a visit to the dentist. Cleaning teeth once in six months will make sure that there is no plaque build-up in the teeth.