What is Dental Plaque & Its Treatment

The teeth stand out to be the hardest substance in the human body. Being essential for chewing, the teeth also play a crucial part in speech. From eating to speaking and communicating, teeth are involved in the primary activities of everyday life. Thus, teeth require good care for their functioning. However, few tooth anomalies affect our teeth which in turn increase health issues disturbing the quality of life.

What is Dental Plaque?

A mass of bacteria or a biofilm growing on surfaces within the mouth can be referred to as Dental Plaque. At first, it seems like a colorless, sticky deposit but often becomes brown or pale yellow when it forms tartar. Chewing surfaces, behind the teeth, on the front of teeth, between the teeth or below the gum line cervical margins, are the places it is commonly found.

Prevention Of Dental Plaque

• For the prevention of plaque, floss between teeth at least once a day to remove the bacteria and food particles.
• With a soft, rounded-tip toothbrush, brush your teeth at least twice a day. Use a fluoride-containing toothpaste.
• To reduce the invasion of bacteria, use an antibacterial mouthwash that may prevent plaque and gum diseases.
• Limit the number of between-meal snacks or rather choose foods such as fruits or raw vegetables. Eat a balanced diet. Celery as a vegetable helps saliva to neutralize plaque-causing acids.
• Discuss with a dentist, if a dental sealant would be appropriate. Dental sealants may be defined as a thin plastic coating, painted on chewing surfaces to protect them from decay and cavities. These are also used for teeth whitening procedures.

Treatment Of Dental Plaque

• Flossing and brushing regularly can help in preventing plaque.
• As a part of self-care, fluorine may be used as it makes the tooth enamel stronger. Using a rotating brush and gritty toothpaste can be helpful in removing stains on the surface of the teeth.
• Debridement, a medical procedure can be implemented to remove any foreign matter or dead tissue from a wound to help it heal.
• Topical antiseptics may be used to degrade the growth rate of microorganisms.