Plaque buildup on teeth is caused by plaque-producing bacteria that feed on sugar and produce acids as a waste product. The bacteria quickly multiply in the plaque film, causing further plaque buildup which, if left unchecked for too long, can lead to cavities, gum disease and tooth decay.
Therefore, it’s important to keep plaque from accumulating on your teeth for a very long in order to maintain good oral health. Regular brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing your teeth once a day can help remove plaque before it turns into tartar. Additionally, regular dental checkups are important to ensure any plaque buildup is removed regularly.
In this article, we will go over strategies to make sure you limit the amount of plaque buildup so that you can have a healthy and beautiful smile.
Cutting down on soft drinks
Soft drinks are a common leader for plaque build-up. Since they are often high in sugar, acid is released that breaks them down and can be harmful to how you eat and drink. When left unattended, a plaque buildup from too many soft drinks can hurt your gums as well, often leading to forms of gum disease.
Cutting soft drinks out of your diet entirely isn’t necessary to avoid plaque buildup. It just is recommended to lower your intake to ensure that your teeth stay healthy in the long term.
Brushing and Flossing
Regularly brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is important to help plaque from accumulating. Additionally, flossing once a day can help remove plaque before it turns into tartar. Brushing after each meal will also help keep plaque levels down and protect your teeth from plaque buildup over time.
Regular Dental Visits
Another important way to minimize plaque buildup is to visit your dentist regularly. During a dental checkup, plaque and tartar can be removed in order to get rid of any plaque that may already have built up. This helps ensure that plaque doesn’t build up too much and cause more serious problems.
Starch-heavy foods
Any foods with heavy starch also are prone to increase plaque buildup. Now, these would require a more serious diet change to really see a big difference. In order to see results here with your teeth, it’s recommended to improve your brushing and flossing methods. This will lower the amount of change in your day-to-day and simply improve the quality of your teeth care.
Including foods that are high in calcium and phosphorus can help your teeth stay healthy and plaque-free. Eating fruits, vegetables, and dairy products can help protect your teeth from plaque buildup by providing them with the nutrients they need to remain strong.
I have heavy plaque formed, what can I do?
In your day-to-day, increase the quality and frequency of care for your teeth. This doesn’t mean to scrub more aggressively, but simply to take your time and hone in on which areas are affected. In order to be made aware of which areas to target, seeking professional assistance is a common first step.
Give us a call today and schedule an appointment. We’ll get you back to feeling yourself again, and lowering the risk you have for plaque buildup and gum disease. We’re really looking forward to speaking with you soon!
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