To avoid dental plaque buildup, it’s essential to maintain good oral hygiene. Begin with gentle brushing, at least twice daily, using a soft-bristled toothbrush, particularly around the gum line. Utilize fluoride toothpaste for added protection. Additionally, daily flossing is crucial to remove food particles and bacteria between teeth. These simple steps can significantly reduce plaque buildup, and we’re here to guide you through the process with empathy and expertise, ensuring your journey to better oral health is comfortable and reassuring.
How To Avoid Dental Plaque Buildup
Promote Saliva Production
It’s essential to get in the habit of eating less starchy foods, less sugary foods, and eating foods that create saliva. Saliva serves many functions. For example, it kills germs, limits bad breath, guards against tooth decay and gum disease, protects the enamel, and accelerates wound healing. In addition, the major salivary glands and minor glands surrounding the oral cavity produce 2-4 pints of saliva daily. As a result, you must hydrate well, too!
Starchy Refined Carbohydrates and Dental Plaque BuildUp
Candy, chips, bread, pasta, or crackers can damage the teeth. In other words, starches from white flour are simple carbohydrates that remain in your mouth and break down into simple sugars. Bacteria feed on those sugars, producing acid, leading to tooth decay. Therefore, it’s important to limit sweets and carbs and brush after eating them.
Protect your tooth enamel
- Avoid acidic drinks and foods like sodas, citrus fruits, and juices.
- Wash your mouth with water right after you consume something acidic.
- Use a straw when drinking sodas and fruit juices as a way to bypass the teeth.
- You can also finish a meal with a glass of milk or a piece of cheese.
Lesson:
Eating carbohydrates trigger acid-producing bacteria, which attack tooth enamel. Therefore, you can avoid dental plaque buildup by reducing your carbohydrate intake and brushing after eating starchy foods.
Prevent Dental Plaque Buildup Tips:
If you eat starchy foods and sugary foods, then make sure to do these things to help prevent plaque buildup.
- Brush your teeth twice a day. Most importantly, take your time when you brush.
- Clean your teeth with the proper equipment.
- Using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush is a good start
- Practice proper technique
- Keep your toothbrush or water pick clean
- Know when to replace your toothbrush
Lesson:
Many dental professionals agree that it’s best to change your toothbrush roughly every three months because it reduces bacteria buildup. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), replace your toothbrush approximately every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.
Food That Promotes Gum Health
According to the ADA, there are two types of vitamin-rich foods to include in your daily diet. Foods rich in calcium include cheese, almonds, and leafy greens. In addition, high phosphorus foods like meat, eggs, and fish help keep tooth enamel strong and healthy.
Can you reverse plaque buildup on teeth?
It can usually be controlled and reversed with brushing, flossing, and an antiseptic mouthwash. Also, it would be best if you schedule regular cleanings. If not, it can get worse, to the point where pockets form between the gums and teeth and get infected by bacteria. That’s called periodontitis.
Six Types of Periodontal Disease
Plaque buildup leads to periodontal disease. There are six types:
- Gingivitis: If your gums are red, swollen, bleed easily, or sore, you may have gingivitis, the mildest form of periodontal disease.
- Periodontitis: Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease. Found in your gum tissue and can spread below the gum line. Periodontitis deteriorates the jawbone leading to tooth loss and jawbone atrophy.
- Aggressive periodontitis: The accelerated progress of periodontitis. Gingival tissue, gingival ligaments, and bone loss occur at an advanced pace.
- Chronic periodontitis: Is inflammation of the supporting gingival tissues of the teeth, with bone loss. The standard form of periodontal disease includes gum recession and gingival pockets. Deterioration occurs slowly.
- Systemic periodontitis: Is the development of gum disease due to systemic disease. Systemic conditions can include:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Respiratory disease
- Necrotizing periodontal disease: Commonly affects people experiencing systemic conditions such as malnutrition, immunosuppression, and HIV. Gingival tissue, periodontal ligaments, and alveolar bone are deprived of the nourishment needed to remain healthy.
Key Points:
Leaving starchy sugary food on the teeth leads to bacteria thriving; these acids destroy the enamel.
Periodontal Disease Treatments
- Scaling and root planning ( SRP ) – the best way to brush your teeth at night
- Pocket Reduction Procedure:
- Gum Grafts
- Regenerative Procedures
Learn more about the best way to brush your teeth at night or more about thestage of gum disease..
Can you reverse plaque buildup on teeth?
It can usually be controlled and reversed with brushing, flossing, and an antiseptic mouthwash. Also, it would be best if you schedule regular cleanings. If not, it can get worse, to the point where pockets form between the gums and teeth and get infected by bacteria. That’s called periodontitis.
Do You have Dental Plaque Buildup?
If you’re feeling anxious or embarrassed about dental plaque buildup, know that you’re not alone and it’s a common issue we address with care and understanding. We’re here to help without judgment, offering a supportive environment for your dental needs. Our team is skilled in treating plaque buildup and guiding you towards better oral health. Reach out to us and take that important step in caring for your dental health. We’re committed to helping you achieve a healthy, confident smile. We are your trusted Port Coquitlam Dentist.
