What Is Plaque?
Plaque buildup is when a pale yellow film develops on the surface of your teeth in which bacteria rapidly multiply.
What Causes Plaque?
Plaque can develop for a number of reasons. For the most part, plaque is caused by bad habits. Some of these habits include:
1. Not Brushing Your Teeth On A Regular Basis. If you fail to brush your teeth at least twice a day, the chances of you developing plaque increase tremendously.
2. Not Flossing Regularly. Although you may brush twice a day, you are not getting those hard-to-reach places between your teeth. Flossing once a day will help remove the plaque buildup between teeth.
3. Eating Too Many Sweets. There is no problem with indulging your sweet tooth every now and again but eating sugary candy too often can contribute to plaque formation.
4. Avoiding Regular Visits To The Dentist. Brushing and flossing are great, but you are still likely to miss areas of plaque buildup. When plaque goes unnoticed, it hardens and becomes tartar that can only be removed by your dentist. It is important to schedule a teeth cleaning at least once a year.
What Are The Dangers Of Plaque?
What many people don’t realize is that oral health directly correlates with overall health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to harmful medical issues. If plaque buildup is not taken care of, it can cause cavities or lead to Gingivitis which causes swelling of the gums and in severe cases, loss of teeth.
How To Prevent Plaque
To prevent plaque, it is crucial to take care of your teeth by brushing twice daily, flossing, and regularly visiting your dentist. Plaque isn’t a serious problem if it is properly taken care of right away.
Schedule an appointment for a teeth cleaning today with the friendly staff at Lakeway Center for Cosmetic and Family Dentistry.