5 Things You Need to Know About Plaque

1. Dental Plaque Ruins Teeth

You know the feeling. You haven't brushed your teeth yet. They are all fuzzy and icky. What you are feeling is plaque, dental plaque to be precise. It is the sticky, clear film that builds up on your teeth in between brushings. The cause of dental plaque is bacteria in the mouth, which produce acids. Over time, these acids build up and lead to decay of the tooth enamel, which then leads to cavities. Dental plaque can also build up at the root of a tooth, causing the two most dreaded words in the English dictionary: root canal.

2. Reducing Dental Plaque is Easy

You can prevent a build up of dental plaque right at home (or at school or in the office). The key is brushing and flossing and you can do it anywhere. You should brush at least two times a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day. This breaks up plaque before it has a chance to damage teeth. Pay extra attention to brushing at the gum line, where plaque likes to hide. Scheduling a routine dental check up and cleaning twice a year is another way to prevent tooth decay from dental plaque. Scheduling regular dental cleanings will also help pinpoint any problem areas before they get worse.

3. Change Your Diet, Limit Plaque Build up

Dental plaque thrives on starchy foods, sugary soda and candy. If you eat a lot starchy foods throughout the day, you increase the chance for plaque build up. Vegetables, on the other hand, actually help remove plaque from teeth and help saliva neutralize the acids produced by plaque. So if you must snack during the day then select crisp veggies over sugary sweets.

4. Plaque Build up can Lead to More Serious Problems

If plaque continues to build up on teeth, it can lead to tooth decay and eventually tooth loss. Dental plaque also contributes to poor oral health conditions, like gingivitis and periodontitis. Fixing advanced dental problems such as these can be time consuming, painful and expensive.

5. The Verdict is Still out

There are two kinds of plaque: dental plaque and arterial plaque. There has been a lot of discussion about the link between dental and arterial plaque. The most common question being does plaque on your teeth cause heart problems? The answer is still not clear. However, what is clear is that people with poor oral health often have weaker cardiovascular system. Medical experts still are not clear if it is a cause-and-effect situation or if is related to lifestyle in general.