What is Plaque, Exactly? Get the Scoop on What’s Eating Your Enamel.

If you’ve watched more than half an hour of television, chances are, you’ve at least heard about plaque and know bad it is for your teeth and gums.  Toothpaste commercials talk about how their product fights plaque and other dental maladies.  Sometimes it’s a smiling dentist talking about plaque; other times it’s a bizarre animation of evil plaque personified.

But what is plaque exactly, and why does it harm your teeth?  More importantly, how can you prevent plaque buildup?

What is plaque?

Plaque is pale yellow or even colorless, so you might not be able to spot it on your teeth.  But you might be able to feel it!  It’s responsible for that fuzzy feeling in your mouth when you wake up in the morning or when you haven’t been able to brush your teeth twice a day.

Plaque, even though it can be colorless it is not harmless.  It is a biofilm – a thin, sticky film of microbes (live bacteria or bugs) in polymer.  The microbes attach themselves to your teeth and replicate, creating colonies of live bacteria and germs that eat away at your enamel.  Plaque is directly responsible for dental problems like dingy yellow teeth, bad breath, cavities and some types of gum disease.  Plaque can start forming in as little as 4 hours after the last time you’ve brushed your teeth.

When you don’t thoroughly brush plaque away at least twice per day, it will combine with the minerals in your saliva to build up on your teeth, to become tartar (calculus).  Tartar buildup occurs on any surface of your tooth and bonds to the enamel or on even on the tooth root, requiring a dental professional to get it all off.  And to make matters worse, all tartar has plaque on its surface which causes increased problems as it grows.

How to prevent plaque

Preventing plaque is as easy as keeping up with your basic oral hygiene.  Make sure to brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush.  Some dentists believe that electric toothbrushes are the best way to remove plaque, and some studies have shown that toothpastes with baking soda are effective in removing plaque.  However, brushing effectively is the best way to remove plaque from your tooth surface.

Flossing is also very important for preventing plaque and tartar buildup, as plaque can form between the teeth as well as on them.  Floss once per day – if using string floss is difficult, try pre-threaded floss picks or interdental toothbrushes.

Finally, round out your at-home dental care by choosing a good mouthwash.  Studies show that mouthwash is highly effective at removing plaque, when used in conjunction with flossing and brushing.  Using mouthwashes with small amounts essential oils, such as spearmint, peppermint and others can cut down on plaque buildup when used with brushing and flossing, too.   We always recommend an alcohol free mouthwash.

Visit your dentist regularly

Visiting your dentist regularly is the final way to prevent plaque and tartar buildup.  Make sure that you go every six months for a dental cleaning, or whenever you’re experiencing pain and unusual symptoms.  If your plaque has built up into tartar, the only way to get it off the tooth surface is to get professional help.  And, since it’s directly responsible for cavities, gum disease and more, the sooner you address plaque, the better.

Levenson Periodontal Associates wants to help you prevent major dental problems by providing advice on how to avoid them.  And, if you’re in need of implants, periodontal surgery, reconstruction and more, our skilled team is here to help.