Plaque: what it is, consequences and how to remove

Plaque is an invisible film filled with bacteria that forms on the teeth, especially in the connection between the teeth and the gums. When the plaque is present in excess, the person may have the feeling of having dirty teeth, even though they cannot see any difference.

These bacteria located there ferment the sugar coming from the food, changing the pH of the teeth and this allows bacteria to enter the dentin, giving rise to cavities. When a person does not floss or brush their teeth, this plaque can increase in size and affect the tongue and throat, and when they harden they give rise to tartar.

Tartar is actually the accumulation of bacterial plaque that stayed in contact with saliva for a long time and ended up hardening. When tartar is present it can be seen stuck between the teeth, being a type of 'dirt' that does not come out when brushing your teeth, or when using dental floss, and you need to remove it at the dentist, through cleaning with instruments like curette and other dental instruments.

Plaque on teeth

Consequences of plaque

The first consequence of plaque is to facilitate the entry of bacteria into the dentin of the tooth, which gives rise to:

• Caries, which cause the appearance of a small hole or dark spot on the tooth, as well as toothache, in the most advanced cases.
• Formation of tartar, which is a hardened substance, difficult to remove at home;
• Gingivitis, which causes redness and bleeding gums.

When the plaque is in the throat, gargling with mouthwashes or warm water and salt can be useful for its elimination.

How to remove plaque

To remove plaque, it is recommended to use dental floss and brush your teeth every day, in addition to using mouthwash, such as Listerine or Periogard, to completely clean your mouth, removing as much bacteria as possible. With this care, excess bacteria are removed every day, and there is always a good balance inside the mouth.

When plaque forms tartar, substances such as baking soda can be used to better scrub your teeth in order to do a homemade removal and a better cleaning of your teeth. However, scrubbing your teeth excessively with baking soda can eliminate the enamel that covers your teeth, giving cavities an opportunity to manifest. Therefore, it is only advisable to brush your teeth with baking soda only once a week.

If this is not enough to eliminate tartar from your teeth, you should go to the dentist so that he can make a professional cleaning, with water jets or special instruments.

How to prevent plaque formation

It is impossible to completely remove all bacteria from the mouth, but to prevent plaque from becoming excess and causing dental problems, it is necessary to:

• Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day, the last one always before going to sleep;
• Floss your teeth before using the brush, at least before going to sleep;
• Always use alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid burning your mouth;
• Avoid eating foods high in sugars and carbohydrates during the day, when you cannot brush your teeth right afterwards.

To complement these tips, it is recommended to go to the dentist at least once a year to remove the plaque from the most difficult places, such as in the back of the mouth, for example. It is also important to keep your teeth clean, aligned and firm and therefore it may be necessary to do some dental treatment such as using braces on your teeth, for example, since well aligned teeth are easier to keep clean and prevent the formation of plaque and Tartarus.

The toothbrush must be soft and completely cover the person's tooth, so adults should not use brushes suitable for children, and vice versa. Manual brushes should be changed every 3 or 6 months, but whenever they are worn and with bent bristles. In case you prefer the electric toothbrush, you should prefer one that has a rounded head and is soft, and these are more effective in eliminating food debris, bacterial plaque and even tartar.

Check out these and other tips to maintain good oral health and avoid frequent visits to the dentist:

Test your knowledge

Having an adequate oral hygiene is essential to avoid the accumulation of plaque. So take our online test to assess your knowledge:

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8

Oral health: do you know how to take care of your teeth?

Start the test

It is important to consult the dentist:

• Every 2 years.
• Every 6 months.
• Every 3 months.
• When you are in pain or some other symptom.

Floss should be used every day because:

• Prevents the appearance of cavities between teeth.
• Prevents the development of bad breath.
• Prevents inflammation of the gums.
• All of the above.

How long do I need to brush my teeth to ensure proper cleaning?

• 30 seconds.
• 5 minutes.
• Minimum of 2 minutes.
• Minimum of 1 minute.

Bad breath can be caused by:

• Presence of cavities.
• Bleeding gums.
• Gastrointestinal problems like heartburn or reflux.
• All of the above.

How often is it advisable to change the toothbrush?

• Once a year.
• Every 6 months.
• Every 3 months.
• Only when the bristles are damaged or dirty.

What can cause problems with teeth and gums?

• The accumulation of plaque.
• Have a high sugar diet.
• Have poor oral hygiene.
• All of the above.

Inflammation of the gums is usually caused by:

• Excessive saliva production.
• Accumulation of plaque.
• Tartar build-up on teeth.
• Options B and C are correct.

In addition to the teeth, another very important part that you should never forget to brush is:

• Tongue.
• Cheeks.
• Palate.
• Lip.

Was this information helpful?

Yes No

Your opinion is important! Write here how we can improve our text:

Any questions? Click here to be answered.

Email in which you want to receive a reply:

Check the confirmation email we sent you.

Your name:

Reason for visit:

--- Choose your reason --- DiseaseLive betterHelp another personGain knowledge

Are you a health professional?

NoMedicalPharmaceuticalsNurseNutritionistBiomedicalPhysiotherapistBeauticianOther