When it comes to oral health management, paying attention to plaque is vital. Indeed, a Family dentist in Grand Valley may mention dental plaque during general checkups or cleaning appointments. Plaque develops when bacteria in the mouth meet up with sugary or starchy food particles. These bacteria produce an acid that breaks down the carbohydrates in foods and leads to the buildup.
Dental plaque eats away your tooth enamel, leading to dental cavities and decay. Also, plaque buildup can cause gum disease. When plaque hardens into tartar, the bacteria in it can cause bad breath and teeth discoloration. Anyone can have dental plaque. But some people may more constantly deal with this building than others. This is possible with people who smoke, have problems with dry mouth, and eat sugary diets.
Dental plaque can form on your teeth, near your gumline, or under your gums. If they build up under the gums, they can compromise your smile. In general, scaling and root planing can address this problem. During this procedure, your dentist will clean above and below your gum line to get rid of the plaque.
Signs of Plaque
You know when you have plaque when you feel something fuzzy on your teeth when you touch them with your tongue. Plaque has stickiness you cannot ignore. This occurs when you don’t brush or floss your teeth regularly. Eating foods and drinking liquids other than water throughout the day can cause plaque to develop. Other indications that plaque has developed include chronic bad breath, red, swollen, or tender gums, and yellow teeth. But sometimes, plaque can also be colorless. This can make it hard to see by yourself.
What Happens If You Ignore Plaque
Plaque doesn’t need to remain on your teeth for a long time. You need to get rid of it to limit the possible negative consequences. When left untreated, plaque can turn into tartar and cause different issues, including gum disease and chronic bad breath. Plaque and tartar can result in tooth decay, dental cavities, abscessed teeth, and tooth loss.
Steps You Can Take
In general, it is easier to get rid of plaque when it hasn’t hardened further. When it becomes tartar, you must let a dentist or hygienist get rid of it for you. Generally, it is best to brush your teeth for two minutes two times every day. Also, your oral hygiene routine is not complete without flossing your teeth and rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash.
