Dental Plaque:
Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
What causes plaque, what are the effects and how can it be removed and prevented?
Throughout the day, the surface of your teeth will become covered in a sticky, colourless layer of protein known as dental plaque. Often invisible to the naked eye, plaque occurs naturally and, if left untreated, can contribute to oral health problems.
What is Dental Plaque?
Dental plaque is a biofilm of microorganisms consisting of bacteria and fungi that gradually develops on your teeth. As plaque occurs naturally, this layer can develop on your teeth even without eating.
What Causes Plaque?
As a flourishing ecosystem, your mouth is home to an ever-changing array of bacteria. These enter as you eat, drink and breathe, allowing dental plaque bacteria to naturally develop and quickly multiply.
Following a meal, snack or drink containing sugar, the bacteria contained within the plaque release acids into the mouth that attack tooth enamel. If ignored, these repeated attacks can cause the enamel to break down. This will eventually result in cavities.
Spotting the Signs of Plaque Build-Up
Dental plaque generally develops on the surface of teeth and around the gumline. It accumulates in places that are missed or not cleaned thoroughly when brushing your teeth. Pay particular attention to areas between your teeth, at the edges of your gums, and around crowns, bridges and dental implants.
What are the Effects of Plaque?
If dental plaque is left untreated, it can develop into a build-up of tartar (or calculus) above and below the gum line. If it’s not removed by your dentist or dental hygienist, this hardened layer can lead to a multitude of oral health problems, including:
- Halitosis (Bad breath)
- Cavities
- Inflamed gums
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Periodontal disease
In serious cases of periodontal disease, a range of other potentially fatal health conditions can occur, such as:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Dementia
How to Remove Dental Plaque
According to oral surgeon and bluem® founder Dr Peter Blijdorp, the best way to remove dental plaque is to brush your teeth properly at least twice a day for two minutes.
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Dr Blijdorp also recommends visiting your dentist at least twice a year and having your teeth professionally cleaned by a dental hygienist.
How to Prevent Dental Plaque Build-Up
Preventing plaque build-up requires you to take good care of your teeth and gums. Brushing your teeth regularly using a soft or ultra-soft toothbrush, as well as flossing regularly will help to prevent plaque build-up.
To improve your oral health routine, use bluem® toothpaste. With its thinner, more effective formula, bluem® toothpaste is ideal for reducing plaque build-up.
Treat Dental Plaque with bluem®
With its revolutionary, oxygen-enriched formula containing honey, lactoferrin and xylitol, bluem® allows you to dramatically reduce the build-up of dental plaque.
It can also help treat and prevent other oral problems such as inflamed gums, periodontitis and peri-implantitis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plaque
Do I need to floss every day?
Yes! Flossing is an essential part of any oral healthcare routine. By flossing daily, you help remove plaque from the areas between your teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. This is important because plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing can harden into calculus or tartar. Flossing also helps prevent gum disease and cavities.