Plaque Attack! The Dangers of Plaque Buildup on Your Teeth

Your oral health plays an essential role in your daily life, your overall health, and even your self-confidence. Surely, it is worth every effort to protect your teeth and gums from damage. Fighting plaque buildup is one simple and hugely important thing you can do to safeguard your smile. In this blog post, a dentist near Glasgow explains what dental plaque is, why it is so dangerous, and how you can stop it from accumulating in your mouth.

What Is Plaque?

Plaque is a sticky film that continually forms on the teeth. It gets produced when the bacteria in your mouth interact with the foods you eat (most commonly, sugar). Plaque may be clear, or it can have a pale yellow color. Although you might not be able to see it on your teeth, you can likely feel it. It has a somewhat “fuzzy” texture that is easy to recognize. If plaque remains on the teeth for long enough, it hardens into tartar, and tartar is impossible to remove with a regular toothbrush.

The Dangers of Plaque Buildup

Plaque buildup on the teeth presents two major dangers.

Tooth Decay

The bacteria in plaque produce acid. The acid, in turn, weakens tooth enamel. If the acid attacks continue for long enough, they will eventually create small holes in the teeth. Once a cavity forms, there is no way to reverse the damage to the tooth. A dentist can just fill in the cavity to prevent it from getting worse. If a cavity remains untreated, and plaque and tartar continue to attack the tooth, the damage may reach the point where major dental treatment, such as a crown or root canal therapy, is necessary.

Gum Disease

When plaque and tartar accumulate in the area along the gum line, it sparks an immune response in the body. The immune response causes the gum tissue to become inflamed. This type of inflammation is known as gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. Left untreated, gingivitis is likely to develop into periodontitis, the advanced form of gum disease. Periodontitis is a major contributing factor in tooth loss. It has also been associated with a number of overall health problems, including premature birth, heart disease, and dementia.

How to Fight Dental Plaque

The best way to combat plaque buildup can be summed up in two words: oral hygiene. Twice-daily brushing and daily flossing are the two primary ways in which you can remove plaque from your teeth before it causes damage. Fluoridated toothpaste even helps to remineralize enamel that has been weakened by acid attacks.

It is also vital that you regularly visit your dentist for professional cleanings and checkups. The hygienist can remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and give you personalized advice on how to care for your teeth at home. The dentist will look for any early signs of plaque-related oral health damage.

Plaque is a major threat to your teeth and gums! You can prevent it from harming your smile through excellent oral hygiene habits and cooperation with your dentist.

About the Author

Dr. Joseph Kelly leads the team at Great Impression Dental. He provides a number of advanced and general dentistry services to residents of Boonville, Glasgow, and the surrounding communities. If you would like his help to battle dental plaque, or you have other concerns about your oral health, contact our office at 660-882-7522.