Plaque Blues: The Dangers Of Dental Plaque & How To Remove It

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Plaque is not easily detected by the naked eye but can lead to serious dental ailments. Yes, taking care of your teeth and visiting your dentist regularly should help prevent plaque. Yet, plaque can still creep up because there are several common foods filled with carbohydrates. The following guide should help remove plaque and help you understand just how harmful plaque can be:

The Dangers of Dental Plaque

Plaque is an invisible film that forms when several oral pathogens get stuck to your teeth. This usually occurs because the food you eat leave a residue of carbohydrates or processed sugar. The residue may attract oral pathogens, and they feed on it. Plaque can lead to various problems:

You can have your dentist check your teeth to make sure you do not have a problem with plaque.

Identifying Plaque

Plaque is mostly invisible, yet there are still some ways to detect plaque on your own, like the following:

  1. Feel your teeth with your tongue, as plaque will make your teeth feel fuzzy.
  2. You can purchase disclosing tablets from your local pharmacist. These tablets will identify plaque on your teeth by staining it with a visible color. Follow the directions on the box you purchase. Use your toothbrush and paste to remove any plaque that you uncover.

Removing Plaque

You need to be able to know how to remove plaque and the following guide might help you:

Brushing

The correct way to brush is by holding your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle from your gums. And always brush away from the gum line. Do not press too harshly, as that may damage your enamel. 

Baking Soda

Baking soda is slightly abrasive and has a neutral pH balance. This pH balance should help neutralize bacterial acid damage to your teeth. And the abrasive nature of baking soda should help lift plaque from your teeth. All you have to do is mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with enough water to make a paste-like solution. Use your toothbrush to remove the identified plaque. 

As you can see, dealing with plaque is not too hard. But, remember that you should talk to your dentist about plaque to be sure that you are free from the dangers that plaque can lead to. Contact a professional like David Jackson, DDS to learn more.


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