(Newswire.net — July 10, 2019) — Dental plaque is one of your mouth’s biggest enemies. A buildup of plaque on your teeth eats away at enamel, causing cavities and decay. Moreover, bacteria from plaque can result in yellow teeth and cause bad breath. The best way to get rid of plaque and keep your teeth and gums healthy is to brush and floss twice a day. But what is plaque and how it is it formed?
What is Plaque and How is it Formed?
So, what is plaque and how is it formed? Plaque is bacteria that forms on your teeth that can cause yellow teeth and cause bad breath.
- Dental Plaque Explained
Plaque is a sticky substance that’s made when saliva mixes with leftover food in your mouth. Failing to brush your teeth properly after meals leads to the formation and buildup of plaque on your teeth. This is a cause for concern because plaque contains bacteria, which can contribute to gum disease and tooth decay. Moreover, dental plaque that remains on your teeth for several days has to be scrapped off because it turns into tartar, which is hardened plaque. Tartar is what’s responsible for turning your teeth yellow and making it smell bad, so you may have a difficult time cleaning your mouth once tartar builds up on your teeth and it can also potentially affect your overall health if you don’t take care of it properly.
- How Does Plaque Form?
Plaque is the result of chemical reactions in your mouth. For your mouth to create plaque, it needs food particles, bacteria, saliva and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are found in most foods, including healthy vegetables and fruits. High sugar foods have more carbohydrates so if you’re fond of cookies and candy then you’re more likely to form plaque.
The first step during the formation of plaque is when food is broken down into carbohydrates during the chewing process. The natural bacteria present in your mouth then combines with carbohydrates to create an acid. The acid by itself is problematic because it can eat away at enamel. But once the acid mixes with saliva and food particles left behind in your mouth, that triggers another chemical reaction resulting in a somewhat hard and sticky substance called plaque which sticks to your teeth.
- Tips on Preventing Plaque
You can prevent the formation of plaque in two ways. The first step is to watch your diet. Plaque needs carbohydrates to form, so the fewer you eat, the better. Prevent the buildup of plaque by avoiding foods such as candy, cookies and other sweet things as much as possible.
However, it’s not reasonable to avoid all carbohydrates. Many healthy foods such as corn, potatoes, bread and cereal still contain carbohydrates.
The best way to resolve the problem is to brush and floss your teeth twice a day. Brushing removes plaque that has built up on your teeth and also gets rid of loose food particles that can lead to the development of plaque and cavities in the first place. Flossing, on the other hand, helps to remove food particles and debris from between your teeth. Flossing gives bacteria less of a chance to form plaque. It’s also important to get your wisdom teeth removed in cause these cause sores, which can be a prime spot for bacteria to form.
Bottom Line
The points mentioned should answer the question: what is plaque and how is it formed? Understanding how plaque is formed puts you in a better position to prevent it and take better care of your teeth and gums and ultimately, your overall health.