Do you have an excess of plaque build-up in your teeth? Are you wondering how to remove plaque from teeth?
The bacteria in the mouth break down carbohydrates from food into acid when people eat something, and it mixes with leftover food particles and saliva, creating plaque.
Brushing and flossing regularly usually prevent plaque and tartar from forming. However, sometimes tartar can be more difficult to remove, requiring a visit to the dentist’s office for a professional cleaning. Poor oral hygiene may also lead to tooth decay, bad breath, or gum disease.
Keep reading to learn how to remove plaque from teeth and simple ways to prevent tartar buildup.
What is Plaque?
The sticky bacterial film that constantly forms on your teeth is called plaque. After you eat or drink, plaque bacteria produce acids, which can destroy tooth enamel and cause cavities or gingivitis (gum disease).
Plaque can even develop under the gums on tooth roots breaking down the bones that support teeth. If your plaque is untreated, it can harden into tough-to-remove tartar. Brushing and flossing daily and maintaining proper oral hygiene can help eliminate plaque.
What Causes Plaque?
When bacteria in the mouth mixes with sugary or starchy foods, such as bread, pasta, milk, juice, soft drinks, and fruit, it forms plaque. These bacteria in your mouth release acids that break down carbohydrates in food and beverages. If you don’t brush or floss your teeth soon after eating or drinking, the combination of acids, bacteria, and carbohydrates can mix into a sticky, colorless film known as plaque.
Common Symptoms of Plaque
To know how to remove plaque from teeth, you first need to know its symptoms. The top sign that you have plaque is a fuzzy feeling on the teeth. Other indicators can include:
- Swollen, red, tender gums that bleed after brushing (gum disease).
- Halitosis (chronic bad breath).
The Complications Caused by Plaque
If you don’t brush and floss daily, plaque can get hard and turn into tartar. Only a dental professional can help remove tartar from your mouth. Plaque or tartar can lead to:
- Tooth decay and loss
- Tooth infection (abscessed tooth)
- Tooth cavities
- Gingivitis and periodontal (gum) disease
- Severe gum infection (periodontitis)
How is Plaque Diagnosed?
A dental hygienist or a dentist uses several instruments during regular dental checkups to detect and remove plaque so it cannot cause cavities. Your dentist can also ask you to get dental X-rays to check for cavities caused by plaque.
Tips to help control plaque from teeth
How to remove plaque from teeth is a tricky question, and the best bet is not to let tartar form on your teeth. Here’s how:
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Use powered or electric toothbrushes to get rid of plaque-
Everyone, especially dental patients, should use powered or electric toothbrushes because they are better than manual models and are of excellent quality.
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Choose tartar-control toothpaste with fluoride-
Fluoride can help repair enamel damage. Some products even contain a triclosan substance that fights plaque bacteria.
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Brush regularly, twice daily, for 2 minutes at a time-
A 30-second scrub twice per day cannot remove plaque and prevent tartar. Use a toothbrush that is small enough to fit into your mouth and has soft bristles. Ensure to include the hard-to-reach surfaces behind the teeth and on your rear molars.
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Floss, floss, floss-
It doesn’t matter how good you are with your toothbrush; the only way to remove plaque between the teeth & keep tartar out of the hard-to-reach areas is dental floss. So, never forget to floss after brushing.
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Don’t smoke-
Mostly, people who smoke cigarettes and use other tobacco products are more likely to have tartar.
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Rinse daily-
To kill bacteria that cause plaque, you must use an antiseptic mouthwash daily.
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Keep a watch on your diet-
The bacteria in the human mouth thrive on starchy and sugary foods. These bacteria release harmful acids when they’re exposed to those foods. It would help if you tried to eat a healthy diet and limit the number of sugary foods you eat; this also goes for snacks. You feed the bacteria in the mouth every time you eat. If you are mindful of how often you indulge, you will not have to give up sweets or between-meals munches. Just remember to brush and drink plenty of water during and after meals.
Only a professional dentist can remove tartar from your teeth once it has formed. So, visit your dental professional every six months to remove any plaque or tartar that might have formed and to prevent further problems.
When should you call the dentist?
You should call an expert dentist or oral surgeon if you experience:
- Bleeding, swollen gums, or other signs of gum disease
- Mouth or toothache pain
- Tooth sensitivity to cold & hot foods and drinks
- Chronic bad breath
- Facial swelling
- Loose tooth
- Pain or difficulty while chewing food
- Redness around or inside your mouth
Wondering How to Remove Plaque from Teeth? Contact University Ave Dental today!
If you take proper care of your teeth, less plaque and tartar will accumulate. To prevent plaque buildup, brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss once. Also, be sure to regularly visit an expert dentist for preventative care and tartar removal. Remember taking good care of your teeth is the only way to keep you healthy in the long run.
Schedule an appointment with University Ave Dental immediately if you have a dental issue related to plaque or tartar buildup. The sooner you address plaque, the less damage the dental problem will likely cause.
So, contact us today if you wonder how to remove plaque from your teeth because we can treat your condition immediately.