Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the surface of teeth. Not removing it regularly can lead to various oral health problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. It’s crucial to practice good oral hygiene and visit your dentist for routine teeth cleaning and check-ups to avoid plaque formation. This blog will explore why plaque buildup on your teeth harms your health and provide tips to prevent its formation.
Why is Dental Plaque Harmful to Your Health?
Plaque is composed of bacteria, food particles, and saliva. When sugar and carbohydrates mix with plaque, they create an acidic environment that can erode the enamel on teeth. Over time, this erosion can lead to cavities, which can cause tooth sensitivity, pain, and, eventually, tooth loss. Plaque can also cause gum disease, an infection of the gums and the supporting structures of the teeth. If not treated, gum disease can lead to bleeding gums, receding gums, and eventually, tooth loss.
Furthermore, plaque and gum disease can cause bad breath, which can be embarrassing and impact your social life. The best way to remove plaque is with daily brushing and flossing. You should also visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings. If you already have a lot of plaque and tartar on your teeth, professional cleaning is the best way to remove them. Your dentist can use ultrasonic scalers or hand instruments to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. Afterwards, they may also apply fluoride treatments to strengthen the enamel and prevent new cavities from forming. To improve your dental health, you should visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist can help you prevent tartar buildup and bad breath by providing regular cleanings and examinations. They can also recommend other ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
What Causes Plaque Buildup?
Many factors, including poor oral hygiene and genetics, can be responsible for plaque buildup. If you don’t brush and floss regularly or visit your dentist regularly, plaque can accumulate on your teeth and gums, making them more likely to form cavities and bad breath. The most common cause of plaque buildup is simply not brushing your teeth regularly. An average adult only brushes twice a day and doesn’t floss at all—and that can lead to serious dental problems over time. Other causes include eating sugary or starchy foods before bedtime and not drinking enough water throughout the day. Bad breath can also be caused by gum disease, which occurs when plaque builds up on the gums and causes inflammation. This irritation, in turn, leads to bleeding, swelling, and pain. The bacteria that cause bad breath thrive in these conditions and spread to other parts of your body through your bloodstream.
How to Avoid Dental Plaque Formation?
Follow good oral hygiene practices to avoid plaque formation, and visit your dentist for regular cleanings and oral health check-ups. Here are a few tips to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy and plaque-free:
- Routine Teeth Cleaning-Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Brush for two minutes each time, and brush all surfaces of your teeth, including the fronts, backs, and chewing surfaces.
- Plaque cleaning: Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles between your teeth and the gum line. Regular plaque cleaning can reduce your chances of getting future oral health problems.
- General oral care:
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria and freshen your breath.
- Drink plenty of water to help rinse away plaque and food particles.
- Limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods and drinks, as these can contribute to plaque formation.
- Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings to avoid any signs of plaque formation.
Get an Appointment with Alpha Dental Clinic
If you’re looking for a top-notch dental clinic and dentists in Perth, then Alpha Dental is a perfect choice. Our team of experienced dental professionals is dedicated to providing quality dental care to keep your teeth and gums healthy. We offer various services, including routine check-ups, dental cleanings, and advanced treatments like root canal therapy, dental implants, and cosmetic dentistry.
At Alpha Dental, we understand the importance of preventative dental care and are dedicated to helping our patients avoid plaque formation. Our team of dental hygienists will thoroughly clean your teeth, removing plaque and tartar and providing tips on how to maintain good oral hygiene. We also use the latest technology and techniques to ensure your dental experience is as comfortable and pain-free as possible.
Thus, dental plaque is a harmful film of bacteria that can cause serious dental problems if not removed regularly. To avoid plaque formation, you should maintain good oral hygiene, do routine teeth cleaning, eat a balanced diet, and see your dentist regularly. Book an appointment today with Alpha Dental Clinic in Perth to receive the best possible dental care and achieve a beautiful smile that is healthy inside out.