Dental plaque consists of scores of invisible germs that inhabit your mouth and cling to your teeth. As plaque can cause gum disease and tooth decay, you should remove plaque from your mouth for optimum dental health. The results of not addressing plaque are red, swollen gums and cavities. Removing plaque is accomplished by following basic daily hygiene guidelines.
Step 1
Chew disclosing tablets to stain your teeth, or use a cotton swab with green food coloring. Any color that stays on your teeth shows where plaque is located, so you can remove it.
Step 2
Floss your teeth regularly. Flossing removes pieces of food from between your teeth to help reduce bacteria and germs. Cut off a piece of floss about 18 to 20 inches long and wrap an end around each middle finger. Guide the middle of the floss between your teeth with your index fingers in an up and down motion. Wrap the floss around the side of each tooth to form a "C" and scrape plaque and food away. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water when you are finished flossing.
Step 3
Brush your teeth with toothpaste two times per day for 3 to 4 minutes each time. Move the brush in small circles on all areas of your teeth. Brush your tongue to remove germs there, too.
Tips and Warnings
- Use a plaque pick on your teeth if you do not like using dental floss. Try a commercial plaque rinse if you would like to enhance your plaque removal efforts.
