What is Dental Plaque?
Dental plaque is a sticky, slimy substance that oftentimes is colorless or a pale yellow that regularly can build up on your teeth. It also contains a ton of bacteria that produce acids, which can be very bad for the health of your teeth and gums if it is not treated properly. If regular flossing & brushing does not occur, it could lead to tartar buildup.
How to Prevent Plaque & Tartar
What you put into your mouth each and everyday has a lasting impact on the health of your teeth. When a variety of food and various fluids enter your mouth, it creates an environment that allows bacteria to grow. When bacteria grows so does the plaque and tartar buildup. In order to prevent this from occurring, follow these four steps below:
1. Regular Dentist Visits
One of the easiest ways that you can protect your teeth is to go to the dentist regularly. Most insurance companies allow you to go twice a year, or every six months. Consistency is one of the best ways to reduce the risks associated with plaque & tarter. Regular visits allow for regular removal of build-up.
2. Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss & Mouthwash
These four items are essential tools when creating a consistent, at-home routine. To begin, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day. Choose an anti-plaque fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day to remove all the food in between your teeth. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush about every three months or as soon as the bristles are worn down. When choosing your mouthwash, find one that provides around the clock prevention against cavities, tartar & plaque buildup, as well as gingivitis. Remember, consistency is key in the long-term health of your teeth and mouth.
3. Avoid Smoking & Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Not only is smoking and excessive alcohol consumption bad for your overall health, but it can also directly affect the health of your teeth. The harmful chemicals within cigarettes can contribute to the buildup of plaque on your teeth, which leads to the formation of tartar. Even if you brush your teeth more than twice a day, that does not guarantee reduced buildup of plaque.
While smoking is commonly known to have a negative effect on teeth, sometimes alcohol abuse is overlooked as a contribution to plaque and tartar. When a lot of alcohol is consumed in a short amount of time, bacteria can quickly destroy your enamel. The best thing you can do is to quit smoking entirely and keep your alcohol consumption at a bare minimum.
4. Watch what you eat
While you may enjoy sugary and starchy goods like candy and soda, they produce bacteria, which leads to plaque. You do not need to completely eliminate these foods and beverages, but do not consume them regularly. Brush your teeth immediately after consuming starchy and sugary foods to help remove anything left in your mouth. A good alternative to sugar is anything sweetened with Xylitol because it doesn’t feed the bacteria within your mouth helping prevent plaque & tartar build-up.
Be sure to visit Smile Logic for your Broomfield Dental Services. For a list of services offered, click here!
SmileLogic, Inc. has been serving Colorado with first-class dental hygiene services for over 15 years.