In the subject of taking care of your teeth, dental plaque will be the most common topic you will hear about. You see, plaque buildup is dangerous not only for your teeth, but also your gums. If you find your teeth slightly covered in a slimy substance, then you should start doing something about it!
We will be reviewing the main points about dental plaque, such as what it is and how to prevent it. The damage it can do can be stopped!
What is plaque?
Plaque is this colorless, slimy/sticky mass of bacteria that clings to your teeth and can reside near the gums.
As you know, our teeth have a protective layer which we know by tooth enamel. The enamel protects the spongy dentin inside that leads to the tooth root. By letting the bacteria sit with starchy, sugary foods, it begins producing acid that harms the wears down the enamel, and in turn, it can penetrate to the root of the teeth.
Not only that, but dental plaque if left untreated, it hardens and becomes tartar. Tartar is known for causing tooth decay, gum disease and, in the worst case scenarios, tooth loss. Once plaque hardens to tartar, only a dentist can properly remove it.
How does it form?
The bacteria responsible of plaque is resilient just like the flu pathogen. As such we can never truly get rid of it entirely, and it is important to know that. Even if you have dentures, veneers, root canals or have had your teeth whitened, you should brush twice a day.
As such it is important to take the necessary approaches to prevent its buildup. Not only are we able to stop it from harming your teeth, we can keep a fresh breath at all times!
The most important places where plaque grows are on the back teeth, more specifically the molars. Since the molars have fissures, it is the perfect place for the bacteria to sit and destroy.
During checkups, your dentist can suggest a dental sealant on the molars that are most likely to suffer heavily from plaque. As the grooves and fissures can be too overwhelming for the toothbrush to handle.
Tips to prevent plaque buildup
Here you have a handful of tips that Los Algodones dentists highly recommend to prevent plaque:
- Like always, brush twice a day. Use a good toothbrush you are comfortable with, not too big nor too small and with soft bristles. Remember to tilt your toothbrush 45 degrees towards your gums in order to brush them properly.
- Make use of dental floss to reach the small spaces between your teeth. These parts results very difficult to clean with the toothbrush alone. Remember to also use a proper technique as it is not just about moving the floss around.
- Get a therapeutic mouthwash with fluoride. Cosmetic and therapeutic mouthwashes are different, as well as rinsing your mouth. You will want a mouthwash that actually helps protect your teeth, not mask a smell.
- Avoid starchy and sugary foods, and clean your teeth well after consuming them. They are the main fuel for plaque to keep growing and damaging your teeth. A simple way to counter this is to rinse your mouth with water as to get rid of the food remnants that may be lying around. Remember to wait 30 minutes after eating to brush, as the enamel is easier to break before that.
- Last but not least, visit a dentist twice year. Not only are they experts on the subject, they will be able to tell you what you have been doing wrong or right. Their job is to lead you to a good dental health path!
If you are interested in procedures at very cheap prices compared to those in the States and Canada, you are free to contact us to get in touch with the best dentists in Los Algodones, Mexico. Feel free to check our price lists and contact us, no need to be shy!