Dental plaque is an invisible film full of bacteria that forms on the teeth, especially in the connection between the teeth and the gums. When there is an excess of plaque, the person may feel that they have dirty teeth, even if they do not see any difference.
These bacteria ferment food sugar, alter the pH of teeth and allow bacteria to enter dentin, leading to cavities. When a person does not floss or brush their teeth, this plaque can increase in size and affect the tongue and throat, and when it hardens, it results in tartar.
- Tartar is actually the accumulation of bacterial plaque that has been in contact with saliva for a long time and has finally hardened.
- When tartar is present.
- It can be seen glued between the teeth.
- Being a type of ”dirty” that does not come out when brushing your teeth or flossing.
- And you have to remove it in the dentist.
- Cleaning it with instruments.
- Such as a curette and other dental instruments.
The first consequence of dental plaque is to facilitate the entry of bacteria into the tooth dentin, which results in:
When plaque is in the throat, it may be helpful to gargle with mouthwashes or warm water and salt for removal.
To remove dental plaque, it is recommended to floss and brush your teeth every day, as well as use a mouthwash, such as Listerine or Periogard, to completely clean your mouth, eliminating as many bacteria as possible. With this care, excess bacteria are eliminated every day, and there is always a good balance in the mouth.
When dental plaque forms tartar, substances such as baking soda can be used to better rub teeth and do a homemade and better dental cleaning. However, rubbing your teeth too much with baking soda can remove the enamel that covers them, allowing cavities to appear. Therefore, it is advisable to brush your teeth with baking soda only once a week.
If this is not enough to remove tartar from your teeth, you should go to the dentist for professional cleaning, with water jets or special instruments.
It is impossible to completely remove all bacteria from the mouth, but to prevent plaque from becoming excessive and causing dental problems, it is necessary to:
As a supplement to these tips, it is recommended to visit the dentist at least once a year to remove plaque from the most difficult areas, such as the base of the mouth for example. It is also important to keep teeth clean, aligned and firm. Therefore, dental treatments such as the use of braces on the teeth may be necessary, for example, because well-aligned teeth are easier to clean and prevent plaque and tartar formation.
The toothbrush should be soft and completely cover the person’s tooth, so adults should not use child-friendly brushes and vice versa. Manual brushes should be changed every 3 to 6 months, but each time they are worn and with the bristles bent. If you prefer the electric toothbrush, you should prefer one that has a rounded head and is soft, and is more effective at removing food debris, bacterial plaque and even tartar.
Check out these and other tips for maintaining good oral health and avoiding frequent dental visits: