Dental Plaque: Why It Is Important to Know
Dental plaque is the primary cause of tooth decay, gum disease (pyorrhea) and bad breath. However, dental plaque can be easily prevented with good oral hygiene. In this article, we will explore the causes, complications and prevention of dental plaque.
What is dental plaque?
Dental plaque is a sticky, colorless film composed of bacteria, saliva and food particles that constantly forms on your teeth and under your gums.
What causes dental plaque?
Plaque film is formed as a result of accumulation of carbohydrates, particularly refined and sticky ones, that are not properly cleaned off from your teeth. Bacteria quickly begin feeding on these carbohydrates and form the plaque. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly, the combination of bacteria and carbohydrates can mix into a sticky, colorless film called dental plaque. Unlike protein and fats, carbohydrates such as sugar and starches are easily broken down by bacteria.
What are the symptoms of plaque?
Dental plaque can be difficult to detect on your own, as it is colorless and may not cause any pain or discomfort. However, there are some signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of plaque, including:
- A Slippery/fuzzy coating you feel on your teeth when you first wake up.
- Bad breath (Halitosis)
- Tooth sensitivity
- Yellow or brown stains on the teeth
- Red and swollen gums that bleeds on brushing
What are the complications of plaque?
Plaque serves as a habitat for bacteria, providing them with both food and shelter. This sticky film helps the microbes attach to surface of your teeth and gums and so they can grow into thriving microcolonies. Plaque constantly forms in our mouth, particularly after sugary meals. Bacteria thrive on sugar and other carbohydrates that are found in foods and drinks. When we eat foods that contain carbohydrates, particularly refined ones, bacteria break them down into acids. These acids can erode the enamel on our teeth, causing cavities and decay. Furthermore, they can inflame the gums, leading to the destruction of the gum tissue and the bone that supports our teeth, ultimately resulting in tooth loss.
Dental Calculus (Tarter)
If you don’t brush and floss daily, plaque left on your teeth accumulates minerals from your saliva and hardens into a rough, off-white or yellow substance called calculus or tarter within 48 hours. Calculus gets firmly attached all around on your teeth. Unlike plaque, calculus cannot be removed by brushing and flossing once it has been formed, and only dental professionals can remove it. Calculus doesn’t contain any live microbe or active toxin; however, it makes perfect bed for plaque adhesion and accumulation. Plaque is the main cause of tooth decay and gum disease; however, calculus also plays a major role in the progression of the diseases, particularly in gum disease. Allowing tarter build up on your teeth can promote the formation of dental plaque, which can lead to variety of dental problems.
Plaque causes:
- Tooth decay/cavities.
- Gum disease (pyorrhea)
- Infection and tooth loss – If plaque and early tooth disease go undetected and untreated, you could develop a painful tooth, or gum infection or tooth loss.
- Tooth sensitivity, especially in areas where the enamel has worn off or the gums have receded.
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Calculus – chronic plaque accumulation can cause the formation of calculus on your teeth, under the gums, and in the tonsils, which can lead to further progression of dental and oral diseases as well as bad breath.
Which individuals are at a higher risk of developing plaque?
Although everyone get plaque after food and drinks, you may develop more plaque if you:
- Don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly.
- Don’t visit your dentist regularly.
- Consume a lot of sugary and starchy foods and drinks.
- Have crooked teeth, or partially-blocked wisdom teeth can make it difficult to thoroughly clean the mouth.
- Have restricted mouth opening due to fracture, or conditions like oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF).
- Have dry mouth due to medications like antidepressants, antihypertensives, or conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome.
- Have a history of head and neck radiation.
- Smoke.
How can you detect plaque?
Most of the time, plaque is colorless or pale yellow. A dentist can detect plaque on your teeth by physically examining them. You can detect plaque by using disclosing solutions or tablets, which stain the plaque a different color or by observing the presence of a sticky, colorless film on the teeth.
Treatment of Dental Plaque
- You can remove plaque by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. However, plaque that hardened into tarter cannot be removed by brushing and flossing, and if left untreated, it can lead to variety of oral health problems. Remember, poor oral health can lead to other health problems.
- Dentist or oral hygienist can remove tarter when you have a regular check-up and cleaning. Because tarter can build up in hard-to-reach places, visiting a dentist twice a year for a check-up and cleaning can help to remove any tarter build-up that has occurred since your last visit.
How to Prevent Plaque?
Good Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing; removes plaque and prevents tarter build-up.
- Brush twice a day: Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and preferably after every meal. Brush your teeth at least for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. While the type of toothpaste you use is a matter of personal preference, it is crucial to brush your teeth effectively and thoroughly to maintain good oral health. “The type of toothpaste not important, but how you brush your teeth is”.
- Floss daily: Floss your teeth at least once a day, especially after dinner before going to bed. Floss is not a substitute for the toothbrush but it is equally important. It removes plaque from hard-to-reach areas between the teeth where a brush can’t reach.
- Gently clean your tongue using a tongue brush/blade.
- Mouthwashes: It is advisable to avoid using anti-germ mouthwashes on a daily basis, unless advised. These mouthwashes should only be used in specific situations and for specific periods of time, such as during acute infections, hospitalization, or the postoperative period. In general, mechanical measures like toothbrushing and flossing have been proven to be more effective in keeping teeth free from plaque than chemical measures like mouthwashes and antibiotics. Mouthwashes can also lead to regular exposure to chemicals, including antibiotics.
Regular dental visit
Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and professional cleaning, at least every six months. Your dentist can detect and treat the dental problems early, before they become more serious.
Eat healthy foods
Cut back on sugary, starchy foods and drinks, particularly refined ones. Eat more nutritious foods such as raw vegetables and fruits. Drink plenty of water daily in order to promote good oral as well as overall health.
Chew your food
Chewing your food thoroughly not only helps in a self-cleansing process, but also kickstart the digestion, paving the way for a healthier and more efficient nutrient absorption.
Avoid use of tobacco
While tobacco use may enhance the development of dental plaque, it is also a well-established risk factor for various types of cancer.
Self-examination
Periodic self-examination of your teeth and mouth is also very important to maintain good oral health and detect any potential issues early on.
Other preventive measures
- Dental sealants: It seals the natural pits and fissures present on the top chewing surfaces of your teeth, and thus prevent plaque from forming on those surfaces.
- Fluoride Treatment: Fluoride is known to effectively slow down the growth of plaque-causing bacteria, while also providing a protective seal over the micro pits and fissures that naturally occur on the teeth.
- Dry mouth: If you experience dry mouth, it is important to consult your oral physician for proper diagnosis and treatment. It is advisable to drink ample amount of water and rinse your mouth after each meal in order to promote good oral hygiene and overall health. You may find relief by using over-the-counter available salivary substitutes.
Most importantly, you need to start all these oral hygiene practices from early childhood, and maintain them throughout the life.
Conclusion
Dental plaque is the primary cause of tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath. Plaque is a common dental problem that affects people of all ages. This sticky bacterial film that forms on your teeth and under your gums every night as you sleep and during the day as you eat or drink. If your teeth not cleaned regularly, plaque may harden into tarter, or it may cause tooth decay and gum disease. However, if you practice good oral hygiene, limit sugary foods and drinks, and see your dentist twice a year, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy and free of plaque.
