How to Get Rid of Plaque

There are many ways to remove plaque from teeth, some more effective than others. However, if you don’t do anything about your dental hygiene and let the plaque buildup go untreated, the consequences can be severe. Your teeth’s enamel will wear away and decay could set in; it’s possible that this could lead to tooth loss. If you’re interested in how to get rid of plaque on your teeth so that you can avoid these serious consequences, keep reading for a detailed how-to guide with steps on how to remove plaque from your teeth and maintain your oral health.

What is plaque?

Plaque is a sticky film that builds up on teeth. This film can harbor bacteria, contributing to tooth decay and gum disease. The bacteria in plaque produce acid that attacks the enamel of your teeth, and this can cause your teeth to wear away. Eventually, you may lose your teeth or develop gum disease, which leads to an increased risk of other health problems. To avoid these serious complications, it’s important to know how to remove plaque from your teeth so that you can maintain good dental hygiene and maintain healthy oral health.

What causes plaque buildup?

Unfortunately, plaque is the natural consequence of how your mouth is designed and how it’s used. Plaque forms on teeth and gums when bacteria in our mouths combine with food, other organic matter, and dead cells shed from our teeth. The bacteria produce an acid that attacks tooth enamel, which can lead to cavities or gum disease.

Your genetics may also be a cause for how much plaque builds up on your teeth. For example, how strong your immune system is will play a role in how easy it is for plaque to stick to your teeth. When your immune system works well, it’s able to produce antibodies that will stick to the bacteria and stop it from sticking to your teeth. If you have a weaker immune system, fewer antibodies are produced, and the bacteria may bind itself more easily.

What happens to your teeth if plaque buildup isn’t removed?

If plaque buildup isn’t removed, your teeth’s enamel starts to wear away. If this continues, it can lead to tooth decay and the loss of the tooth in some cases. The plaque can also become infected and spread bacteria throughout your mouth.

If the plaque becomes infected, this can lead to a number of other serious problems. If you don’t address the infection and let it run its course, different problems may arise. Bacteria can enter your bloodstream and cause other health issues such as sepsis or endocarditis. Infected plaque also has an increased chance of developing into periodontitis, which is an inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth.

How do you remove plaque from your teeth?

Obviously, the consequences of not removing plaque from your teeth can be quite severe. If plaque buildup is getting out of hand, the methods of removing it probably look familiar to the general recommendations you get from your dentist at your bi-annual dental exams:

• Brushing with an electric toothbrush. The main benefit of an electric toothbrush is how it removes plaque. When you brush your teeth, with a regular toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, the bristles will sweep away plaque in between your teeth. Electric toothbrushes do this more efficiently than regular ones. Most electric toothbrushes also have a timer which helps ensure you’re brushing for the minimum amount of time necessary which can help reduce how much plaque is left on your teeth when you’re done brushing. If you use a manual toothbrush, set a timer on your phone for 2 minutes.  
• Using a mouthwash to help fight plaque. A mouthwash will do more than freshen your breath—it can also help reduce how much plaque builds up on your teeth. Many different types of mouthwashes are available for fighting plaque, ranging from ones that focus on killing germs (antibacterial) to ones that surface-fight the bacteria by eating away at fats and proteins in the tooth film and gum line (enzyme). 
• Flossing daily. You should use dental floss by placing it between your teeth from one end of the gum line to the other and running it about four inches into your mouth. You should use some pressure until you feel resistance in order to remove as much plaque as possible.

It’s important to know how to remove plaque from your teeth so that you can maintain good dental hygiene and maintain your oral health. If the plaque becomes infected, this can lead to a number of other serious problems that are no fun to deal with. If you are experiencing issues with plaque and need some professional advice, Southeast Michigan residents can contact any of our Fortson Dentistry locations today and set up an appointment.