When approaching dental hygiene issues, this is one of the first ones you will hear about. Dental plaque (also known as tooth plaque) is surely one of the most common topics, and here we will explain it easily. Doing so will help you take the right steps to properly prevent and deal with it.
In very short words, it is harmful and if not addressed the repercussions to your teeth will be tremendous. So as to raise awareness, or even just remember what it is all about, we will be getting over some general points about it.
What is this plaque?
Plaque is an invisible, sticky mass of bacteria that cause your poor teeth a whole lot of trouble, and when hardened it transforms into tartar, both of them are really bad for your teeth enamel. This is the main reason you get cavities, gum disease, bad breath and even tooth decay. Taking the measures to get a good care for your teeth will greatly help a long way.
Also, it is worth mentioning there are different types of plaque, just like there are many flu pathogens, some lead to gum disease while others may lean towards tooth decay.
What makes it appear?
Plaque develops when we consume food high on sugars and starches (things like candies, soda, bread, sweets, alcohol and even milk) and when we do, it is very likely that remnants remain stuck on our teeth.
But let’s be honest, there is no way to completely get rid of the bacteria forever, we can only take measures to prevent its buildup.
How do I know if I have plaque?
There are a variety of ways to spot the invisible villains residing within your teeth. Here are some general ways to know if you have them on your teeth:
If you touch your teeth with your tongue and it feels “fuzzy”, that is the plaque forming around them.
Also, you may find in grocery stores and drug stores the disclosing tablets, these when chewed and swished around with your saliva (do not swallow these, however) end up staining the plaque with the color red, easily telling you where the harmful plaque is located for you to brush it out of.
Another way would be using green food coloring together with a q-tip, then applying it on your teeth. Likewise with the disclosing tablets, this will mark the plaque with green for easy identification.
Optionally, there are also special mouthwashes that can mark as well as help remove tartar.
You can find all of these in Los Algodones pharmacies at really good prices.
What can I do to prevent it and deal with it?
Although we cannot keep plaque from forming, we highly recommend doing the following things:
- Brush twice a day, especially before going to bed as that is when your teeth are the most vulnerable. You can spice up your brushing game by giving each tooth personal attention. It is advisable to go for a soft toothbrush to avoid damaging your gums!
- Floss once a day to treat the areas between your teeth that the brush cannot get to. It is important to mention that it is most effective before bedtime, too, and before brushing! If you find the floss too bothersome, you can try with a dental pick, both are really good.
- Lowering the amount of sugary and starchy foods you consume also helps keep the bacteria from spreading. Laying back on those and replacing
them with healthy foods will also help your general diet. - Wash your mouth with water after every meal. This not only helps get leftover food out, but also increases the saliva production in your mouth. All of this being desirable to keep the bacteria from spreading.
Keeping these habits going will be a decisive factor between having good teeth or losing control.
If you are interested in a check-up, as well as more exhaustive, yet affordable procedures, you can visit dentists in Los Algodones.
