What is Plaque vs Tartar?
Absolutely everyone, of all ages, has dental plaque. This sticky film collects on your teeth when the bacteria in your mouth mix with any sugary or starchy foods. Consistent daily tooth brushing and flossing will remove the plaque. If you do not remove the plaque, it will soon harden into tartar. Plaque leads to cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Regular preventative dental exams every six months allow your dentist to professionally remove the plaque and to protect your teeth and gums.
What is the Source of Plaque?
Plaque forms when the bacteria in your mouth mix with sugary or starchy foods, like soft drinks, milk, juice, fruit, bread, and pasta. These bacteria release acids that break down the carbohydrates. If you do not brush your teeth daily, the combination of bacteria, acids, and carbohydrates creates the sticky, colorless film called plaque.
What Is Plaque?
Dental plaque is a soft, sticky film accumulating on your teeth and around your gums throughout every single day. This plaque contains millions of bacteria. When you eat carbohydrates or sugar, you provide fuel for the bacteria on your teeth. These bacteria produce acids that attack your tooth enamel, resulting in cavities.
This is the logic behind the health industry strongly recommending that good daily oral hygiene is crucial in preventing tooth decay and preserving your smile. To prevent this never-ending plaque buildup, simply brush at least twice a day, for two minutes each time, and floss once a day. Drinking water, rinsing your mouth, and chewing sugar-free gum following meals and snacks can help.
What Is Tartar?
If that is plaque, then what is tartar? Tartar is the next stage of continued accumulation of plaque on your teeth when not removed. If plaque is not removed daily, it will harden into tartar and become more difficult to remove. Tartar can only be removed by your dentist or hygienist; you cannot remove it with regular brushing and flossing. Tartar removal is one of the leading reasons that visiting your dentist every six months is so important.
Plaque buildup that hardens into tartar causes more than just cavities. It causes tooth discoloration, increased sensitivity, gum disease, and gum recession. To reduce plaque buildup and tartar from forming, just remember to simply brush and floss every day.
How can You Prevent Plaque and Tartar?
Proper oral hygiene is essential to preventing plaque buildup. You should:
- Brush twice a day- Brush your teeth for two minutes, every time, with a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brush at least twice a day, and preferably after every meal.
- Floss daily- Floss once a day with dental floss or a water flosser to remove any food particles and plaque stuck between your teeth. Research has proven that flossing before brushing removes more plaque.
- Choose healthy foods- Cut back on your sugary, starchy foods and drinks. Choose nutritious foods and snacks like plain yogurt, cheese, raw vegetables, or fruit.
- Chew sugarless gum- If you cannot brush shortly after eating or drinking, consider chewing sugar-free gum.
- See your dentist- Complement your at-home efforts by scheduling a preventative dental checkup at least twice a year.
- Use mouthwash- Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash.
Related Article: About Dental Plaque