How Is Plaque Detected?

Plaque is a colorless film of bacteria that adheres to the teeth. Bacteria are constantly forming in our mouths and are caused by many ingredients in our diet, as well as by the emission of our saliva. The bad breath we often experience in the morning is due to bacteria that have collected on the teeth overnight. By using proper brushing techniques and flossing as often as possible, we remove most of the bacteria, helping to keep our mouths in a top state of oral hygiene.

Plaque is the major cause of cavities and gum disease: Bacterial acids attack teeth, causing enamel to break down. This is the major cause of cavities and gum irritation. Diseases such as gingivitis and periodontal disease, as well as the loss of teeth, can occur if plaque is not detected and removed.

Plaque is easily identified when the surface of the teeth are either rubbed with a special cream or rinsed with a formula that highlights plaque build-up. These solutions are easy to brush off the teeth, and are extremely useful in highlighting areas where you may not brush thoroughly enough. Plaque is also easily spotted by a dental professional, which is why it is imperative to have periodic dental examinations. Your dentist cannot only gauge the amount of surface plaque you have, but can also deal with sub-gingival plaque and calculus (plaque that has hardened into a hard crust) by using appropriate dental tools. If plaque and/or calculus have accumulated deep into the gum area, a dentist may also use an oral camera to determine the focus of a thorough cleaning treatment.

Plaque can also build up in the arteries due to an overabundance of cholesterol in the system. This type of plaque can break loose from the arterial wall, where it becomes life threatening as it travels towards the heart. Here, medical imaging techniques are used to detect how much plaque exists and where it is located in order to ascertain the best type of treatment.