Plaque. Since childhood, we’ve been trained to resist that dreaded enemy of
teeth. Regular brushing and flossing are sure bets for dental health. What else
could you be doing -- or avoiding -- to keep plaque off your knockout smile?
“Keeping plaque off your teeth isn’t complicated, but consistency is key,”
says Richard Price, DMD, spokesman for the American Dental Association. “Good
habits make for healthy teeth -- for most people, it’s that simple,” Price tells
WebMD.
What Is Tooth Plaque?
Plaque is a sticky mix of bacteria and the substances they secrete. Bacteria
produce adhesive chemicals called mucopolysaccharides. The bacteria then live in
this film on teeth, called a biofilm.
At first, this slimy layer is fragile and easily removed by tooth brushing.
“Think of the film on a fish tank wall. It’s easy to wipe off with a washcloth,
if you’re vigilant,” says Price.
And if you’re not? The bacteria in tooth plaque are free to release acids
that damage tooth enamel. Regular acid assaults on enamel can wear holes in
teeth, commonly called cavities.
If left alone, plaque buildup also gradually hardens, creating tartar or
calculus on your teeth.
“Tartar is petrified plaque,” Price says. “Once it’s there, you need a
dentist’s help ... tartar can’t be brushed off.” Tartar above the gum line also
contributes to gingivitis, which is gum disease.
The secrets to avoiding plaque buildup aren’t so secret. You’ve probably been
hearing most of them since before you lost your baby teeth. But bad habits have
a way of sneaking up on us. Make sure you’re pushing back against plaque by
avoiding these five bad habits for tooth health.
Plaque Habit No. 1: Not Brushing Regularly
No one else might notice if you don’t brush your teeth twice a day, every
day. But your teeth will.
“Plaque is a little like bees in the summertime,” Price says. “One or two
won’t really bother you, but if you let them build a beehive in the backyard,
you’ve got a problem.”
Brush your teeth gently twice a day, using a fluoride-containing toothpaste.
The exact technique isn’t as important as concentrating to make sure you’re
softly brushing all the surfaces of your teeth.
Plaque Habit No. 2: Not Flossing Each Day
Brushing doesn’t reach the spaces between teeth, but plaque does. A simple
daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage.
“Flossing also cleans plaque at the gum line, another area that brushing
doesn’t reach,” says Price. If left alone, plaque below the gum line can lead to
periodontal disease.
If you just can’t stand flossing your teeth, consider using one of the many
other ADA-approved products to clean between your teeth each day. They’re
available in any supermarket or drugstore; ask your dentist if you’re not sure
which one to use.
Plaque Habit No. 3: Not Using Rinses
Mouth rinses with fluoride have been shown to prevent decay. Antibacterial
rinses reduce plaque and gingivitis and attack bad breath. Keep brushing and
flossing, and if you haven’t already, add a mouth rinse, such as an
antimicrobial or a fluoride rinse (not just a mouthwash), for a triple threat
against teeth destroyers.
Plaque Habit No. 4: Avoiding the Dentist
Even if you brush and floss your teeth daily, you’ll miss some plaque. Over
time, that plaque hardens into tartar that needs to be removed at your dentist’s
office. Yet more than a third of people surveyed haven’t seen their dentist in
more than a year.
“Even dentists don’t like to go to the dentist,” jokes Price. But studies
show that in general, people who neglect regular dentist visits get more
cavities and have a higher chance of losing their teeth.
Once a year teeth cleanings are considered the minimum. Twice a year teeth
cleanings may be better for many people. “Most dentists recommend twice a year
cleanings or more,” according to Price.
Plaque Habit No. 5: Neglecting Nature’s Toothbrushes
Long before toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste existed, certain foods
played a role in keeping plaque off of teeth.
“Eating crunchy vegetables or fruits with the skin on can scrub off plaque,”
Price tells WebMD. Carrots, apples, cucumbers, and many other raw fruits and
vegetables are teeth-friendly, despite the sugar they contain.
In addition, a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in processed foods
protects you from obesity, heart disease, and cancer.
Plaque Habit No. 6: Indulging Your Sweet Tooth
Bacteria love simple carbohydrates like sugar. Eating candy or drinking
sugary soft drinks lets sugar stick to our teeth, giving bacteria something to
munch on. As the bacteria create a film of plaque, they digest sugar into acid,
which damages teeth.
“All sugary candy, and most junk food in general, contribute to plaque
formation,” Price says. “High-sugar foods or drinks that are also soft or sticky
are especially problematic. ... Sugary soft drinks might be about the worst
thing you can put on your teeth."
Avoiding these six bad habits can help you keep plaque in check (and keep
your teeth).
You may also want to talk about sealants with your dentist. The pits and
fissures on molars can be difficult to keep clean in some people, even with good
dental care. Dental sealants are a clear plastic coating that covers the tooth
surface, barring bacteria and acid from entering. Sealants are safe and
effective in blocking plaque and preventing tooth decay.
“No one’s teeth can stay plaque-free 24 hours a day, it’s just not possible,”
says Price. But good habits over a lifetime will help you beat back plaque and
save your smile.
1-877-Dr Teeth - (360) 740-6212
Town Center Dental
3
Locations - Chehalis, Wa -- Rochester, Wa -- Rainier, Or
