What Is Dental Plaque? How to Keep It Off Your Teeth
Caring for your teeth and gums is an essential part of maintaining a healthy smile, but dental plaque can get in the way. This sticky, colorless film occurs naturally in everyone, but if you don’t remove it, it can cause serious oral health problems.
If you struggle with plaque buildup, here’s everything you need to know about what it is, why it forms, and how you can keep it off your teeth for better oral health.
“Plaque is made up of naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth that combines with sugars and starches from the food you eat.”
What Is Dental Plaque?
Dental plaque is a sticky, colorless film that forms on the surface of your teeth. It develops when the bacteria in your mouth mixes with food particles and saliva. Dental plaque can make your teeth look and feel “fuzzy,” especially if you run your tongue over them.
While this is a normal process that happens to everyone, it’s important to remove plaque with daily brushing and flossing and routine dental cleaning. If it’s left on your teeth, it can cause cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues.
What Is Dental Plaque Made of, and Why Does It Exist?
Plaque is made up of naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth that combine with sugars and starches from the food you eat. Your saliva causes plaque to adhere to your teeth. These bacteria are constantly present in your mouth, feeding on the sugars in the food you eat. During this process, they produce acids that attack your teeth and gums.
If plaque isn’t removed with regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings, it can cause serious dental conditions like gum disease and cavities. Over time, plaque hardens into tartar and becomes nearly impossible to remove on your own.
How Does Plaque Affect Oral Health?
When plaque isn’t removed, it hardens into tartar (dental calculus), a calcified substance that requires professional cleaning to remove. You can’t brush or floss it away at home. It may be off-white or yellow at first, but it will eventually take on the color of whatever foods or substances you consume, such as coffee, tea, red wine, or nicotine from smoking. As a result, your teeth will be stained, no matter how much you brush, floss, or use at-home teeth whitening products.
But there are bigger problems than a stained smile. Left untreated, plaque and tartar can lead to:
Tooth decay (cavities or caries) as the acid from the plaque wears down enamel.
Gingivitis, or early gum disease, as plaque irritates the gums, leading to inflammation, redness, and bleeding.
Periodontal disease, which is advanced gum disease that causes bone loss, gum recession, and tooth loss. Once periodontal disease progresses, it can only be mitigated – not cured.
The Importance of Removing Plaque
Preventing plaque buildup is crucial to maintain good oral health. Consistent oral hygiene habits can effectively remove plaque and reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Here are some tips to keep your mouth free of plaque:
Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Brush for at least two minutes.
Floss daily to remove food particles and plaque from between teeth. Flossing before your brush may remove more plaque.
Use antibacterial mouthwash to kill bacteria and keep your breath fresh.
Limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks to deprive bacteria of the food source. Choose nutritious foods and snacks like yogurt and fruits and vegetables.
Drink plenty of water to wash away food particles and bacteria.
Get routine dental cleanings to remove tartar and keep your teeth clean in the hard-to-reach areas. It’s also important to get an exam and treat problems early. Depending on your oral hygiene, you may need more frequent cleanings.
When to See a Dental Professional
If you notice the following signs, it’s essential to schedule a dental checkup:
Persistent bad breath that doesn’t resolve with brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash.
Red, swollen, or bleeding gums.
Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods.
Visible tartar buildup on your teeth.
Loose or shifting teeth.
These signs can indicate gingivitis, advanced periodontal disease, or other severe oral health conditions that need professional evaluation and treatment.
Take Control of Your Oral Health
Everyone gets dental plaque after eating and drinking. While this is a normal process, it’s important to clean plaque off your teeth and prevent it from building up over time, which can lead to dental problems like cavities, gum disease, and more.
At Central Texas Periodontics, our team specializes in treating periodontal disease and maintaining good oral health. Whether you need a routine cleaning or extractions and ridge preservation for advanced periodontal disease, we’re here to hel