Walnut Creek Dentist: The Truth How Plaque Effects Your Teeth.
5 Habits That Lead to Plaque on Your Teeth
Plaque...Since childhood, weve been trained to resist that dreaded enemy of teeth. Regular brushing and flossing are sure bets for dental health. What else could you be doing -- or avoiding -- to keep plaque off your knockout smile?
What Is Tooth Plaque?
Plaque is a sticky mix of bacteria and the substances they secrete. Bacteria produce adhesive chemicals called mucopolysaccharides. The bacteria then live in this film on teeth, called a biofilm. At first, this slimy layer is fragile and easily removed by tooth brushing. Imagine the film on a fish tank; you can clean it off as long as your consistent in doing so. And if youre not consistent the bacteria in tooth plaque are free to release acids that damage tooth enamel. Regular acid assaults on enamel can wear holes in teeth, which you know as cavities.
If left alone, plaque buildup also gradually hardens, creating tartar or calculus on your teeth. Tartar is petrified plaque and once its there, you need a dentists help because tartar cant be brushed off. Tartar above the gum line also contributes to gingivitis, or gum disease. The secrets to avoiding plaque buildup arent so secret. Youve probably been hearing most of them since before you lost your baby teeth. But bad habits have a way of sneaking up on us. Make sure youre pushing back against plaque by avoiding these five bad habits for tooth health.
Plaque Habit No. 1: Not Brushing Regularly
No one else might notice if you dont brush your teeth twice a day, every day. But your teeth will. Brush your teeth gently twice a day, using a fluoride-containing toothpaste. The exact technique isnt so important as concentrating to make sure youre softly brushing all the surfaces of your teeth.
Plaque Habit No. 2: Not Flossing Daily
Brushing doesnt reach the spaces between teeth, but plaque does. A simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage. Flossing also cleans plaque at the gum line, an area that brushing doesnt reach. If left alone, plaque past the gum line can lead to periodontal disease.
If you just cant stand flossing your teeth, consider using one of the many other ADA-approved products to clean between your teeth daily. Theyre available in any supermarket or drugstore; ask your dentist if youre not sure which one to use.
Plaque Habit No. 3: Avoiding the Dentist
Even if you brush and floss your teeth daily, youll miss some plaque. Over time, that plaque hardens into tartar that needs to be removed at your dentists office. Yet more than a third of people surveyed havent seen their dentist in more than a year.
Studies show that in general, people who neglect regular dentist visits get more cavities and have a higher chance of losing their teeth. Once a year teeth cleanings are considered the minimum. Twice a year teeth cleanings may be better for many people, which most dentists recommend.
Plaque Habit No. 4: Neglecting Natures Toothbrushes
Long before toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste existed, certain foods played a role in keeping plaque off our teeth. Eating crunchy vegetables or fruits with the skin on can scrub off plaque. These include, carrots, apples, cucumbers, and many other raw fruits and vegetables are teeth-friendly, in spite of the sugar they contain. Further, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in processed foods helps protect you from obesity, heart disease, and cancer.
Plaque Habit No. 5: Indulging Your Sweet Tooth
Bacteria love simple carbohydrates like sugar. Eating candy or drinking sugary soft drinks lets sugar stick to our teeth, giving bacteria something to munch on. As the bacteria create a film of plaque, they digest sugar into acid, which damages teeth.
Most junk food in general & candy contribute to plaque formation. High-sugar foods or drinks that are also soft or sticky are especially problematic. Sugary soft drinks might be about the worst thing you can put on your teeth.
Avoiding these five bad habits can help you keep plaque in check (and keep your teeth). There are other steps you can consider to prevent plaque, tartar, and cavities, too:
Sealants. The pits and fissures on molars can be difficult to keep clean in some people, even with good dental care. Dental sealants are a clear plastic coating that covers the tooth surface, barring bacteria and acid from entering. Sealants are safe and effective in blocking plaque and preventing tooth decay.
Mouth rinse. Some people may benefit from adding a therapeutic mouth rinse to their daily routine. Several ADA-approved mouth rinses with fluoride have been shown to help prevent plaque and tooth decay. No mouth rinse can substitute for brushing and flossing, however.
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