How Does Plaque Form?

Plaque forms from a lack of proper brushing and flossing that’s usually combined with a poor diet consisting of many sugars and refined flours, which can lead to a buildup of plaque in the mouth. The bacteria in plaque can cause damage to your enamel and can eventually lead to tooth decay, cavities, and gingivitis, which is the beginning of periodontal (gum) disease.Plaque can form in as little as 24 hours of not brushing. Over time, plaque can turn into tartar, which typically forms along the gum line and can only be removed professionally. Once plaque forms, it can still be removed. The sooner you remove plaque, the better, as it can be damaging to teeth the more time it has to form!

Preventing Plaque

Preventing plaque is as simple as engaging in proper brushing and flossing habits as well as eating a healthy diet. Foods like apples, carrots, and celery for snacks as opposed to cookies or pre-packaged foods can actually help clean your teeth, whereas sugars that sit on your teeth can become corrosive within minutes of being left in your mouth. In addition, sugars also contribute to the bacteria and acidic environment of your mouth, which can lead to even more problems with your smile!

Flossing once a day is ideal, but you may consider flossing more if food gets easily stuck between your teeth. Brushing once a day is enough, but twice a day is ideal. Proper brushing is more important than vigorous brushing, which can actually harm your teeth! Talk with your dentist about those hard-to-reach places in your mouth and which toothbrush and brushing techniques would be ideal for you.

Keeping Up with Plaque

It’s easy to keep up with plaque. Visiting your dentist is crucial because your dentist will be able to give your teeth a thorough cleaning and talk with you about all the places in your mouth you may not be reaching with your toothbrush. Even with proper brushing, spots can still be missed. Places in-between your teeth are particularly difficult to get, so this is why flossing is ideal. Remove food particles and bacteria from in-between tight spaces with floss.

Preventing plaque is easy, and as plaque can turn into a variety of other dental problems such as tartar, gingivitis, and cavities, brushing and flossing is very beneficial. Keeping up with plaque is as easy as getting regular checkups with your dentist, brushing and flossing, and making health snack and beverage choices during the day!

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Brush and Floss Before Sleep – Any food particles that are left on or around your teeth and gums need to be removed. Even if you already brushed after dinner, it’s still a good idea to do it again before eight hours of inactivity. Flossing is vital as well, especially if you do not floss every time you brush. This will make sure that no food particles get to stay between your teeth overnight. It will also help to prevent tartar from building up below the gumline.

Use a Good Technique – Of course, brushing and flossing before bed will only work if you use the proper technique. Cursory oral care before bed can lead to some surfaces still having plaque in place. It takes plaque a while to harden into tartar, but eight hours is longer than you should risk. If you struggle with using a circular motion while brushing, you may want to consider an electric toothbrush with a rotating head.

Use Mouthwash – A good mouth rinse does more than just make your breath smell nice. Some mouthwashes have ingredients that are intended for the strengthening of teeth. Others may be designed to fight off various forms of bacteria that are often found in the mouth. Of course, your standard bottle of mouthwash may not have any of those benefits. If you want your mouthwash to be more than the equivalent of a liquid Tic-Tac, you may want to ask your dentist for a recommendation.

Regular Checkups Are Vital

While you don’t go to the dentist at night, this is still a vital part of your oral care routine. After all, no matter how good you are at brushing and flossing, there will still be some plaque and tarter buildup. Once tartar develops, brushing and flossing alone can’t remove it. Your nighttime routine will help to maintain your oral health between visits, but be sure to schedule your checkup and cleaning every six months or however often your dentist recommends.

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