You probably know that oral hygiene products, like toothpaste and mouth rinse, are designed to get rid of oral plaque. But what exactly does this mean? What is plaque, and why do we care so much about it?
Our Glendale dentists are here to answer these questions for you. So keep reading to get an even better understanding of this key dental issue.
Let’s start at the beginning…
What is plaque?
Plaque is a mixture of saliva and oral bacteria. Plaque takes the form of a sticky substance that adheres to the dental enamel and the gum tissue throughout the day. Plaque remains sticky and viscous for a period of time—a day or two—but after that it calcifies and hardens onto the dental enamel.
Why do we care about plaque?
Plaque is full of harmful oral bacteria. So once plaque has coated your smile, those bacteria go to work feeding, multiplying, releasing oral acids, and damaging the health of your smile. We want to make sure to clear away as much plaque as possible every single day, so that we develop fewer cavities and gum disease.
How do I stop plaque from developing in my mouth?
It is impossible to completely prevent plaque accumulation—plaque is just something that develops as you go through your normal routine. The key goal, therefore, is clean plaque out of the mouth frequently, thoroughly, and on a regular basis. Plaque is just something we need to stay diligent about and stay on top of!
The best plan for preventing plaque from damaging your smile is to combine solid at-home oral health care with professional dental cleanings and check-ups. Our Glendale dentists can help you develop an effective dental health plan that will set you up for success. Call our dental team, or submit a question for our dentist online, when you are ready to get started.