Contents
Your smile defines your personality; strong teeth are one sign of overall health and well-being.
However, let us admit that many of us do not have those sparkly bright and well-aligned white teeth, which can interfere with your confidence if you have those pale yellowish teeth.
Pale, yellowish teeth are quite frequent and occur when a thin layer of a mass of bacteria forms on the surface of the teeth.
This bacterial thin coating, also known as dental plaque, oral biofilm, microbial film, or dental biofilm, can occur between, in front of, or behind the teeth, as well as above or below the jawline.
If left untreated, dental plaque can turn brownish and create tartar, causing pain, tooth decay, sensitivity, and gum swelling.
What is a Dental Plaque?
Dental plaque is a highly sticky, colourless or pale yellow film deposit that develops continuously on your teeth.
Plaque is formed when saliva, food, and fluids come into touch with each other. It is made up of bacteria that grow between your teeth and along your gum line. In fact, this can harm your tooth enamel and gums.
Plaque is referred to as a "biofilm" by scientists because it is made up of living bacteria that are protected by a sticky polymer covering.
The gluey coating allows the microorganisms to adhere to surfaces inside your mouth and grow into powerful microcolonies. Plaque is most visible when you do not properly brush or floss your teeth.
What are Dental Plaque Symptoms?
- Your teeth have a hazy feeling to them.
- Gum recession and bleeding
- Horrible unpleasant breath (halitosis)
- Gums that are red, swollen, and bleed when you brush or floss
What Causes Excessive Plaque on Teeth?
Plaque forms when saliva, food particles, and fluids in your mouth interact, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. These bacteria tend to accumulate on your teeth and gums, especially at the gum line where they are harder to remove.
Sugary and Starchy Foods: Foods rich in carbohydrates, particularly simple sugars and starches found in items like soft drinks, cakes, candies, and even fruits, are significant contributors to plaque formation. The sugars feed plaque-causing bacteria, leading to faster buildup.
Plaque Buildup and Oral Health: If left unchecked, plaque can harden into tartar, irritating the gums and causing conditions like gingivitis, cavities, and even more severe gum disease. Plaque is often found between teeth and beneath the gum line, where it’s difficult to clean without proper oral care.
The Importance of Prevention: Preventing plaque accumulation is critical to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups are essential to reducing plaque buildup and avoiding potential oral health issues.
Does Smoking Cause Plaque on Teeth?
Gum disease begins when bacteria (germs) on your teeth enter your gums. If the germs remain on your teeth for an extended period, layers of plaque (film) and tartar (hardened plaque) form. This buildup causes gingivitis or early gum disease.
Plaque Formation:
Plaque forms when bacteria on the tooth surface break down dietary carbohydrates, especially sugars like sucrose, for energy. During this process, the bacteria produce acids as a byproduct.
These acids can lead to two major issues:
Tooth Decay: The acids destroy the hard surfaces of the tooth, such as enamel and dentine, causing cavities or dental caries.
Gum Disease: The acids also trigger an inflammatory response in the gums, leading to gingivitis, which can progress to periodontitis if left untreated.
Bacteria that cause decay and gum disease thrive on fermentable carbohydrates like sugars and starches, which are regularly consumed in our diet. Within hours of brushing, plaque begins to accumulate above the gum line, especially between teeth and in the grooves of the tooth surface. This is known as supragingival plaque and consists mostly of aerobic bacteria (those that need oxygen to survive).
As plaque progresses, it moves below the gum line into pockets surrounding the teeth, forming subgingival plaque. This environment is ideal for anaerobic bacteria, which thrive in the absence of oxygen and contribute to the progression of gum disease.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to prevent the accumulation of both supragingival and subgingival plaque, which can lead to serious dental and gum problems.
Dental Plaque Treatment
Even with all of the advancements and breakthroughs in dental health, the best approach to removing plaque from your teeth is to practice proper oral hygiene.
Follow these guidelines to keep plaque off your teeth and dental problems at bay:
1. Brush your teeth twice a day
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
This will aid in the removal of plaque from tooth surfaces and gums, as well as the protection of your teeth from decay.
2. Floss your teeth daily
Floss your teeth every day, especially before bed, to ensure that no food particles become caught between your teeth, providing food for bacteria to develop.
Flossing eliminates food particles from areas where brushes cannot, hence it is recommended.
3. Rinse your mouth with mouthwash
Use a decent mouthwash to rinse your mouth. The swishing action will wipe out any leftover food from the dental fissures.
An antibacterial mouthwash will also kill the harmful germs on your teeth, resulting in a clean and healthy mouth.
4. Follow a Balanced Diet
Consume a well-balanced diet and limit between-meal snacking. Snacks provide more sugar and starch for bacteria.
So, choose healthy meals like plain yoghurt, cheese, fruit, or raw vegetables if you need one.
5. Visit the Clinic for Dental Cleaning
Get a professional dental cleaning every six months and an annual dental exam.
Cleaning removes all remnants of plaque and tartar from the mouth and helps to prevent significant dental problems.
The Bottom Line
The more you care for your teeth, the less plaque and tartar will build up on them. To avoid plaque buildup, clean your teeth at least twice a day and floss once.
Also, visit your dentist regularly for preventative maintenance and tartar removal. Maintaining good oral hygiene will keep you healthy in the long run.
Schedule an appointment with your dentist straight away if you suspect you have a plaque or tartar buildup problem.
The sooner you address the dental problem, the less damage it is likely to inflict and the easier (and less costly) it will be to treat.
