Has your dentist in Mount Vernon, NY talked about dental plaque? Here's everything you need to know about what dental plaque is as well as how to get rid of it.
Did you know that your mouth is home to around
700 different species of bacteria? These tiny guests play a huge role in your oral health, whether you're aware of it or not!
If you’ve ever forgotten to brush your teeth in the morning, you might have noticed a strange substance on the surface of your teeth. This fuzzy or gritty gunk, formally known as “dental plaque,” is actually the result of certain types of bacteria thriving in your mouth!
How does this buildup happen, and what can you do to get rid of it? Before you rush off to a dentist in Mount Vernon, NY, here’s what you should know.
What Is Dental Plaque?
Dental plaque, also called “dental biofilm” or “tooth plaque,” is a soft and sticky film that builds up on your teeth over time. It’s often clear or colorless, though it can also appear pale yellow in some cases.
This biofilm builds up throughout the day as you go about your normal activities, even if you’re taking great care of your teeth with regular brushing and flossing. Plaque accumulates because the bacteria in our mouth combines with saliva, the byproducts of our foods and drinks, and other organic matter such as dead cells.
Over time, plaque will coat the surface of your teeth, and it can even penetrate beneath your gum line. It will also adhere to any dental work placed in your mouth, such as fillings or veneers.
What Happens If I Don’t Remove Dental Plaque?
If you leave this sticky biofilm on your teeth, the bacteria can cause harm to your tooth enamel. Because tooth enamel is what protects the sensitive insides of our teeth, this can be a major concern!
In as little as 24 hours, dental plaque left on the surface of the teeth can turn into a buildup of tartar. Tartar, or “dental calculus,” is a harder material that can be more difficult to remove. Unlike the softer biofilm of plaque, tartar can bond with your tooth enamel, which means that you’ll need a dental professional to remove it for you.
Because the bacteria in plaque and tartar can damage your teeth over time, leaving them untreated can result in frustrating conditions like
gum disease, which is a type of bacterial infection. If the teeth grow weak enough that bacteria penetrates your protective enamel, you may also wind up with a cavity.
How Can I Get Rid of Dental Plaque at Home?
Fortunately, as long as you catch your dental plaque before it’s had a chance to transform into tartar, you can remove it at home with proper dental care. Here are a few easy ways to do so:
Brush Your Teeth
Regular brushing is your best line of defense against tooth plaque. Soft-bristled toothbrushes can help you remove plaque from the surfaces of your teeth. Note that plaque buildup is one reason why it’s so important to brush both your teeth
and your gum line: removing bacteria hidden in the pocket between your teeth and gums is crucial.
Floss Your Teeth
Brushing isn’t the only way to remove plaque from your teeth! In addition to
other benefits, proper flossing can help you remove any bacterial buildup between the teeth. Make sure you’re maneuvering the floss to clean the tooth surfaces on both sides of the gap.
Washing Out Your Mouth
Mouthwash can help to remove plaque from the surfaces of your teeth. Though there are plenty of different products available on the market, you can also do a
saltwater rinse in a pinch, as they’re just as effective at improving your oral health.
Consider Your Diet
While there’s nothing you can do to prevent plaque buildup completely, it’s worth noting that some foods and drinks are more likely to cause an increase in plaque bacteria than others. Avoiding sticky candies and sweets, carbonated soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages that dry out the mouth can help.
Even better, the
American Dental Association notes that certain kinds of foods can help with your oral health. Fiber-rich fruits and veggies, low-sugar milk and dairy products, and certain types of tea can be great options.
How Can a Dentist Near Me Help With Dental Plaque?
It’s not uncommon for dental patients to miss certain areas of plaque buildup in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Over time, these buildups can transform into tartar and begin to damage the enamel of the teeth.
If you want to be sure that you’re getting rid of both plaque and tartar buildup, the best way to do it is by visiting your local dentist! Plaque and tartar removal is one of the reasons we encourage patients to visit us
once every six months.
If you’ve fallen behind on these regular cleanings, you may start to notice more severe tartar accumulating over time as your tooth plaque builds up on your teeth. In some cases, of course, the tartar buildup may occur beneath the gum line. Though you might worry about the consequences of this buildup, please know that our dental team can also offer a
deep cleaning to remove stubborn tartar deposits.
Contact Your Dentist in Mount Vernon, NY
No one wants to deal with the fallout of untreated dental plaque. By brushing and flossing your teeth every day, and by reconsidering what you’re putting into your mouth, you can keep the bacteria in your mouth under control.
Beyond these daily cleanings, of course, it’s important to reach out for a professional cleaning by a dentist in Mount Vernon, NY! Preventative cleanings allow our team to take care of your oral health, keeping bad bacteria at bay and ensuring healthy teeth and gums for the long run. Request an appointment today to learn how we can help.
No one wants to deal with the fallout of untreated dental plaque. By brushing and flossing your teeth every day, and by reconsidering what you’re putting into your mouth, you can keep the bacteria in your mouth under control.
Beyond these daily cleanings, of course, it’s important to reach out for a professional cleaning by a dentist in Mount Vernon, NY! Preventative cleanings allow our team to take care of your oral health, keeping bad bacteria at bay and ensuring healthy teeth and gums for the long run.
Request an appointment today to learn how we can help.
