Dental plaque is a buildup of bacteria and sugar in the form of a colorless film, which always forms on teeth. Dental plaque is the main cause of caries and parodontitis, and if you do not follow oral care rules every day, it may later harden and grow into dental calculus.
How do I know if I have dental tartar?
Dental plaque forms in all people – the process of accumulating bacteria in the oral cavity is continuous. In the course of life activities and growth, these microorganisms use food ingredients and our saliva. They release acid, which affects the enamel.
Being repetitively exposed to acids, dental enamel destroys resulting in a decay cavity. Unremoved plaque may result in gum irritation and then gingivitis development (characterized by reddened, swollen and bleeding gums), parodontitis and loss of teeth.
How to prevent dental plaque?
It is easy to prevent dental plaque if you maintain oral hygiene. Make sure to follow the next rules:
- Brush your teeth with a brush at least two times a day to remove plaque from all sides of your teeth;
- Use a dental floss every day to remove plaque from interdental and subdingival spaces where brushing is less effective;
- Limit foods rich in sugar and starch, particularly, semi-liquid sticky snacks between main meals;
- Regularly visit a dentist for professional tooth brushing and oral cavity examination.
