Plaque – Your Teeth’s Enemy

1. Plaque – Your Teeth’s Enemy Submitted By – Galloway Dental Care drvaldes@dentistmiami.com (305) 595-1774

2. What is Plaque? • Dental plaque, also known as dental biofilm, is a thin, sticky, yellowish film that forms on your teeth’ surface and along the gum line when saliva combines with food and fluids. The carbohydrates from the foods mix with saliva and the remnants of the food in your mouth feed the bacteria. • This film starts forming about 4-12 hours after you brush your teeth and is a breeding ground of bacteria. The film houses millions of bacteria, that if left to fester, will eventually start to attack your teeth and gums.

4. How Does Plaque Damage Your Teeth? Plaque leads to hundreds of dental issues! It might seem like no big deal at first. After all, you can simply brush away the plaque that forms, but if you don’t care for your teeth and brush them every day (preferably twice a day), the plaque can turn very menacing really quickly. The buildup of plaque leads to:

5. Tartar: When the plaque is left to itself, it solidifies into Tartar, also known as dental calculus. The Tartar is dark brown and cannot be removed by simply brushing or flossing. It has to be scraped and cleaned by a dental professional. Gingivitis: Gingivitis is a disease of the gums caused by the accumulation of plaque and bacteria. Initially, it just irritates the gums, causing them to swell, become sensitive, and bleed easily. It is a non-destructive type of periodontal disease, but if no action is taken to stop it, it might progress further.

6. Cavities: Also known as tooth decay, cavities are formed when the plaque literally eats away at the tooth enamel, eating away the tooth not just at the surface but also deep within. Cavities are the result of the acid produced by the bacteria in our mouths. When the plaque becomes too acidic, it causes demineralization and hollowing out of the teeth. Only root canals and dental fillings can salvage the tooth then. Plaque also causes bad breath and dingy-looking teeth. Treating plaque can rid of so many problems, and will also ensure that you stay at the peak of oral health.

7. How Can Plaque Be Removed? Compared to all the terrible things plaque can lead to, plaque is pretty easy to remove and prevent. If you let the situation get out of hand, it is just going to cost you more money, cause you more trouble, and more pain. So, stop the culprit when you still can, so you don’t have to visit the doctor for more painful procedures. The best ways to keep plaque under control is by: 1- Brushing twice a day thoroughly, making sure to reach every reachable corner of your mouth 2- Flossing regularly. 3- Using an anti-bacterial mouth wash 4-Visiting your dentist every six months so you can identify and treat it if plaque is becoming an issue early on. 5-Eating a balanced diet with less processed sugar and carbohydrates. If it has been a while since you got a dental check-up done, or you have spotted any of the dental issues listed above, visit Galloway Dental Care in Miami and Kendall at your earliest convenience. Catch the enemy before it wreaks more havoc!

8. Reference Dentist Miami drvaldes@dentistmiami.com (305) 595-1774

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