How Does Plaque Ruin Your Teeth?

Plaque is the bacteria in your mouth which sticks to your teeth. It uses the sugars in your diet and any food stuck in your teeth to grow. If left to grow in your mouth it causes most of the common oral diseases.

One of the most common problems it causes is tooth decay. This is because plaque that remains in your mouth for too long will start to break down the tooth enamel. Tooth decay typically requires extensive restoration work such as a root canal or a crown.

If tooth decay remains untreated it can often expand into gum disease. This happens when the plaque beings to attack your gums and ultimately settle underneath them. This causes bleeding and swelling.

The ultimate result are conditions called gingivitis or periodontal disease. It will require extensive work for a dentist to treat these. If they go untreated for too long, the surrounding tooth will eventually become loose. At this point, teeth may need to be removed.

How to stop plaque causing havoc in your mouth

There is no way to stop the production of plaque in your mouth. You can only prevent it from making major problems in your mouth by brushing your teeth twice a day.

Bear in mind that plaque can turn into tartar if left in your mouth for too long. At this point, it may not be possible to remove it with a toothbrush. You may have to visit the dentist, who will have access to stronger tools to remove the plaque.

The dentist will be able to spot the earliest signs of tooth decay, gum disease or other major oral health conditions and treat them before the problem becomes too troublesome. That is why you should schedule dentist appointments at least twice a year, even if it appears you have good oral health.

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