Dental plaque and its consequences

Plaque is a thin plaque that deposits on the surface of the teeth and sticks to the teeth or hard surfaces in the mouth. Plaque is a pigment that adheres to teeth.
One of the leading causes of problems related to oral health is the accumulation and formation of plaque on the teeth. Plaque that forms for a long time and is not removed can cause a number of negative effects such as tooth decay, bad breath, periodontitis.

Plaque formation process All surfaces in the mouth are covered with a glycoprotein film. In the early hours, they have a protective effect on the teeth, smoothing the surface, preventing the surface organization from drying out. However, this membrane provides a substrate for bacteria to attach to. In the soft tissue area, because epithelial cells are constantly shedding, this membrane is destroyed. In the area of ​​hard tissue (teeth), this membrane does not peel off and bacteria continuously accumulate to create dental plaque. Plaque continues to grow due to the proliferation of bacteria already on the plaque and the attachment of other bacteria. After that, the bacteria can’t stick to the sterile membrane but stick to the bacteria already on the dental plaque… forming adult dental plaque. Therefore, not brushing or brushing improperly will lead to the formation of plaque on the teeth. Use dental floss to clean between teeth. Causes and factors that cause dental plaque There are many causes and factors that cause dental plaque, of which the leading cause is that foods and drinks are not good for the mouth such as containing too many sweets, containing many colors and causing stickiness on the teeth. Plaque formation occurs rapidly. According to a study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), regular alcohol consumption can also upset the balance of healthy bacteria in the mouth, causing the formation and appearance of plaque on teeth. . Due to improper oral hygiene, when the remaining food particles in the mouth are not removed in time, plaque will form on the teeth. The use of toothpicks instead of floss, causes the interdental spaces to not be cleaned optimally. In addition, with the unhealthy habit of smoking, oral health is seriously reduced such as bad breath, yellow teeth, and plaque formation. Pregnant women with hormonal changes, the mouth is more likely to develop and form plaque on the teeth. Therefore, it is important to pay more attention to oral hygiene during pregnancy, so that the plaque that accumulates on the teeth does not turn into tartar. Plaque that is not removed leads to dental diseases. How to remove dental plaque? Proper oral hygiene is the method to prevent plaque. It is recommended that you brush your teeth twice a day, once before going to bed, once after waking up, and for at least 2 minutes each time to clean your teeth most effectively. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and avoid using poor quality toothbrushes such as hard, bristled bristles. Change your toothbrush at least every 3 months. Rotate the brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth to easily get it below the gum line. Brushing time should last at least 3 minutes. Concentrate brushing on all surfaces of the teeth, so that plaque can be effectively removed. Use dental floss to clean between the teeth. Limit eating foods that contain a lot of sugar and starch, especially snacks that stick to your teeth. Visiting the dentist every 4-6 months along with oral hygiene, cleaning dental plaque is the way to eliminate up to 90% of the risk of dangerous oral diseases. Signs to identify dental plaque or not? Everyone has plaque, that’s because bacteria constantly build up in the mouth. These bacteria will take advantage of food scraps as well as saliva to grow. Plaque when combined with acids in the oral cavity, then, the enamel layer is destroyed and tooth decay is formed. Plaque that isn’t removed can also irritate the gums around your teeth, leading to gingivitis (redness, swelling, and bleeding gums), periodontal disease, and tooth loss.