Plaque About Dental Plaque
About Dental Plaque
Dental plaque forms on every person’s teeth when bacteria in the oral cavity are fed by starchy or sugary foods and drinks. Brushing and flossing the teeth can remove the majority of plaque, but plaque that remains will harden and become tartar. With regular cleanings by a dental hygienist, residual plaque and accumulated tartar are cleaned away; if tartar buildup has already led to gum disease or tooth decay, your dentist can also address these concerns during your six-month checkup. It’s normal for plaque to form on people’s teeth, which is one reason regular brushing and flossing is so important. While these routine hygiene practices remove plaque, the moment you eat or drink anything other than water, plaque begins to form again.
While most foods and drinks contribute to plaque formation, foods that are high in starch or sugars are particularly good at feeding the bacteria that form plaque. When the bacteria are fed in this way, they metabolize acids that cause tooth decay and gum disease and eat away at the dental enamel. While effective brushing and flossing can remove plaque from the surfaces of the teeth, it’s difficult to clean just below the gum line, and plaque can build up under the gums, on the roots of the teeth, where it slowly breaks down the bone that supports the tooth. This is why professional cleanings are so important: plaque and tartar that build up below the gum line can only be removed by a dental professional using specialized tools. Maintaining a nutritious diet that is high in fiber and low in processed starches can help limit the amount of plaque that forms on the teeth, but there are some other contributing factors that might lead to a higher likelihood of destructive plaque buildup.
Because saliva helps wash bacteria and plaque away from the surfaces of the teeth, if you have a dry mouth because of a medical condition or as a side effect of medication, you are more likely to notice plaque buildup on your teeth. A proliferation of plaque may also appear in patients with a history of radiation therapies in their heads or necks, and smokers also tend to accumulate plaque more rapidly. Ultimately, however, plaque forms when sugars and starches are introduced into the mouth via foods and drinks; while obviously sugary treats like soda and candy contribute considerably to plaque formation, common foods and drinks like milk, bread, and fruit also contain the sugars and starches that feed plaque. As the bacteria dine, they release acids that combine with the starches and sugars and coat the teeth in bacterial film. This is the reason dentists recommend brushing the teeth after every meal whenever possible.
If your teeth feel fuzzy, it’s probably plaque. You might also notice that you have a bad smell or taste in your mouth, or that your gums are swollen, tender, or bleed after brushing. These early signs of gum disease can often be reversed with a thorough cleaning, but only if they’re intercepted early. Once the teeth and gums have been thoroughly cleaned, your dentist can apply sealants to your teeth to discourage the growth of plaque, which can be especially beneficial on the craggy chewing surfaces of the lower molars and can prevent gum disease from progressing. Without professional attention from a dentist, however, these early symptoms of gum disease can progress and lead to periodontal disease, tooth decay, dental abscess, tooth loss, and an array of other concerns.