Fight Plaque For Good Oral Hygiene

By Author: Dr Hema Patel Breedlove
Total Articles: 21
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Brushing our teeth and keeping them clean is what we are told by our parents since childhood about fighting plaque. It is the biggest enemy of teeth and can huge negative impact to your overall oral health. It leads to tooth decay, cavities, pain and bad breath.

Brushing your teeth regularly and flossing are definitely needed to keep plaque away. But dental health is a complicated issue and consistency of good habits is the key. Plaque is formed by bacteria and the sticky materials they secrete. A biofilm is formed in which bacteria thrive.

Initially, this layer is thin and easily cleaned by brushing your teeth; but with neglect these bacteria release stronger acids that destroy tooth enamel. Such frequent attacks on the enamel in your teeth can wear holes that are called cavities.

Do not take plaque lightly as it gradually hardens into tartar that cannot be brushed off. You will immediately need expert help from a dentist because tartar that forms near the gum line causes gum disease like gingivitis.

Know you have plaque when you blow air against your palm and the air smells bad! Plaque is responsible ...
... for the famous phrase – morning breath. So, how do you avoid this hygiene disaster?

• Brush your teeth every day, twice a day. Brush softly ensuring you cover the entire surface of the teeth.

• Brushing does not clean the spaces between teeth which capture fine food particles. Plaque loves this area and it takes root here. Daily flossing is important to clear away plaque and avoid extensive tooth decay later.

• Flossing also cleanses the gum line which is another area of the mouth where brushing does not clean.

• It is recommended that you clean your mouth with a fluoride based rinse as it prevents tooth decay. The antibacterial qualities of mouth rinses reduce plaque. Most importantly if you suffer from bad breath, it is the best way to keep that problem at bay.

• As pointed out earlier, dental hygiene is a complicated issue and despite good habits, there will still be some plaque that will harden over time. This tartar can only be removed by a dentist.

• It is considered wise to schedule at least one visit every year to a dentist’s clinic for the specific purpose of teeth cleaning. These appointments can have the dual purpose of anticipating any serious dental problems to avoid more time consuming and painful treatments later.

• There are some food habits too that need to be taken care of in order to fight plaque. Take care to eat crunchy vegetables and fruits with skin that can scrape away plaque. Cucumbers, carrots, celery, apples and many such raw fruits and vegetables are good for your teeth.

• Avoid sugary foods, soft drinks, candy, chocolate and junk food. Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco products.

For excellent oral health remember to regularly schedule visits to a good family and cosmetic dentistry clinic. Dental services are important in maintaining oral hygiene that ultimately affects your overall health. If we have good teeth, we smile more and feel enthusiastic about life. We love to smile at people because we are not self-conscious due to bad oral hygiene. We feel unself-conscious while being near people. We laugh and talk more. This improves our personal and professional relationships and keeps the sunshine intact in our smiles.

The author of this article is associated with Smile Plus Dentistry, a renowned name in the field of preventative, cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Under the tutelage of Dr. Hema Patel, this clinic provides smile designing and restoration of teeth, for creating strong and lasting solutions for patients. Visit web site for all details about various dental treatments.