Will Hardened Plaque Go Away?
Plaque is a clear, sticky substance composed of leftover food particles and saliva that mix constantly in your mouth. If you do not brush regularly, it begins to accumulate on your teeth. This becomes troublesome because plaque contains bacteria, which accelerate tooth decay and gum disease.
Plaque forms every day because of chemical reactions that naturally happen in your mouth. To create plaque, your mouth uses saliva, bacteria, carbohydrates, and food particles. Carbohydrates are found in many foods, even healthy choices like fruits and vegetables. Foods with a higher sugar content have more carbohydrates, so eating more candy and cookies is more likely to form plaque.
The first step of plaque accumulation happens when you break down food into carbohydrates while chewing. Carbohydrates combine with the natural bacteria to create acid. This acid will eat away at the surface enamel of your teeth. When the acid combines with particles of food and saliva, creating another chemical reaction, the substance becomes sticky and hard. This substance formed is now plaque, and it will stick to your teeth, creating many problems if not removed.
What Oral Problems Can Plaque Cause?
When plaque builds up on your teeth, it eats away at the enamel, causing cavities and decay. Plaque buildup is also a primary source of gingivitis or severe gum disease. If the plaque hardens, the bacteria cause bad breath and turn your teeth yellow.
- More than 80% of American adults suffer from gum disease as a result of plaque buildup.
- Plaque hardens within hours of collecting on your teeth.
- Plaque buildup can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
- Green tea and red wine will help prevent plaque buildup.
- Olive oil can cover your teeth with a fatty film, stopping the plaque from forming on the teeth.
- Pregnant women can also be more susceptible to plaque buildup and tooth decay.
Hardened Plaque is Difficult to Remove
Once plaque collects on your teeth, you have limited time to remove it before it starts to harden. Plaque will harden within 48 hours of formation, and within just several days it will become so hard that it is almost impossible to remove. This hardened plaque is referred to as tartar, and the only way to remove it is to have your dentist or hygienist perform a professional scaling or scraping of your teeth. There are several toothpastes that claim to help control tartar, but they only work by removing the plaque before it becomes tartar.
Brushing your teeth every day is essential for removing plaque accumulating every single day, as well as continuing to prevent any plaque buildup. If plaque has built up on your teeth but has not hardened into tartar, brushing daily will remove it from your teeth altogether.
Dental plaque is not pleasant. But if left untreated, it will result in serious oral problems like gum disease and tooth decay. Understanding the damage that plaque can cause should encourage you to simply brush and floss daily so that you do not develop avoidable dental problems. Talk with your dentist about any additional ways to prevent plaque formation to keep your mouth and smile healthy.
Related Article: What is Plaque vs Tartar?