Dental plaque forms on your teeth surface when you don’t practice good oral hygiene. Regular toothbrushing and flossing can help eliminate plaque. When not removed regularly, it can result in different oral health issues, such as tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease. And because plaque can remain in hard-to-reach areas in your mouth, you must visit your dentist regularly for dental cleanings and checkups. With Fishers, Indiana family dental care, you prevent plaque from developing into tartar and other more serious issues.
Is Plaque a Threat to Health?
Dental plaque builds up with you consume sugary and starchy foods. It takes just 4-12 hours before plaque hardens and turns into tartar, which cannot be removed by brushing your teeth alone. A dental professional is the only one who can get rid of tartar from your teeth. Tartar, or the bacteria in plaque, releases acid that can ruin the enamel of your tooth. Poor dental hygiene causes these bacteria to continuously damage your tooth and lead to tooth decay. When the bacteria infiltrate your gums, they can result in gum disease or infection.
Dental Plaque and Chronic Diseases
Tooth decay results from harmful bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria can also cause chronic diseases such as heart disease. If you suffer from gum disease, the plaque bacteria can enter your bloodstream and cause chronic disease to develop. In addition, poor oral health is associated with stroke.
Preventing Plaque Formation
Your oral health affects your overall health. Good oral hygiene is important to protect your overall health. To prevent dental plaque from forming, you should limit your intake of sugary and starchy foods and focus on consuming fibrous foods. Also, make sure to brush and floss your teeth twice a day. Rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash can help lessen the bacterial population inside your mouth. Also, you must visit your dentist every six months to get your teeth cleaned. Regular cleaning will protect your teeth from cavities and other serious oral health issues. During your visit, your dentist will also examine your mouth for any abnormalities that may indicate the presence of a dental issue.
If you tend to consume a lot of sweets regularly or experience dry mouth, you are at an increased risk of developing dental plaque. So, you should take your oral hygiene seriously and see your dentist more frequently. A regular dental visit will save you from dental issues and help you avoid medical conditions.
