Preventing Plaque & Cavities

What is Plaque?

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Plaque is a soft sticky film made from leftover food particles and salvia that mix in your mouth and build upon your teeth, containing millions of little bacteria. Without proper brushing and flossing after meals and keeping up with your routine dental checkups, the bacteria in plaque can cause gum periodontal gum disease, called gingivitis and even lead to cavities and tooth decay.

What are Cavities?

When the plaque is built up and left on the teeth, over time the bacteria in the plaque will begin to decay the teeth, eroding the enamel and creating a hole that can continue bigger and deeper over time. These cavities can be painful causing toothaches, sensitivity to food and drinks and also weaken the teeth, potentially creating more oral hygiene problems along with bad breathe. Plaque is to blame for cavities, this is why it's so important to maintain good at home oral maintenance and stick to your 6-month visits to the dental office. If you notice a cavity in your mouth or you're childrens it's crucial to come into the dental office and get it repaired immediately.

It is essential to understand how tooth decay occurs and what are the most efficient ways to prevent it. A dentist In Gilbert, like Premier Family Dental, can help you to maintain healthy teeth. Watch this video to find out more.

The video shows how bacteria within the mouth digest the food we eat, creating acid as a byproduct. It explains that these bacteria can form dense colonies on our teeth, leading to the formation of plaque.

The video discusses how the resulting acids can cause cavities and highlight the importance of brushing and flossing regularly.

So what can we do to prevent Plaque & Tarter Buildup?

Follow these 6 easy steps we found from WebMD

• Brush regularly, twice a day for 2 minutes time. A 30-second scrub twice a day won’t remove plaque or prevent tartar. Use a brush with soft bristles that is small enough to fit into your mouth. Be sure to include the hard-to-reach surfaces behind your teeth and on your rear molars.

• Studies have found that electronic or powered, toothbrushes may get rid of plaque better than manual models. No matter which type you use, be sure it has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. These have undergone rigorous quality control and safety tests.

• Choose tartar-control toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride will help repair enamel damage. Some products have a substance called triclosan that fights the bacteria in plaque.

• Floss, floss, floss. No matter how good you are with a toothbrush, dental floss is the only way to remove plaque between your teeth and keep tartar out of these hard-to-reach areas.

• Rinse daily. Use an antiseptic mouthwash daily to help kill bacteria that cause plaque.

• Watch your diet. The bacteria in your mouth thrive on sugary and starchy foods. When they’re exposed to those foods, they release harmful acids. Try to eat a healthy diet and limit the number of sugary foods you eat. That goes for snacks, too. Every time you eat, you also feed the bacteria in your mouth. You don't have to give up sweets or between-meals munches. Just be mindful about how often you indulge. Brush and drink plenty of water during and after meals.

• Don't smoke. Studies show that people who smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products are more likely to have tartar.

Once the tarter and plaque has a formed it will begin to be more challenging to remove on your own and you're going to want to schedule an appointment with our office so that one of our friendly and experienced hygienists can ensure that all of the tarter is removed from your teeth. We recommend that you visit our Gilbert dental office every 6 months for your regular exam and cleaning where we will remove any plaque and tarter keeping your smile clean, healthy and bright while preventing any further problems.

For a complete list of the services and dental procedures we offer, look around our website or call (480) 448-2759 today to schedule your appointment.

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