Plaque; what is it? A guide from our dentist

Most people have heard of it and know that it is bad when it comes to keeping your teeth and gums healthy; plaque. But what exactly is it and why is it the bane of dental teams worldwide?

At Northern Beaches Dental, we firmly believe that prevention is better than cure and when it comes to plaque, our dentist Mackay will always aim to remove it and help keep your mouth in tip-top shape. With our hygienist to help us, even the most extreme cases of accumulated plaque can be removed, leaving you with a healthy, whiter smile.

Now, back to the main points; what exactly is plaque and why should you keep an eye out for it when brushing your own teeth and caring for young children? Read on to find out more from our dentist Mackay.

What is plaque?

Have you ever eaten a meal, ran your tongue over your teeth to find that they feel rough or fuzzy? That is plaque and after eating food or drinking sugary drinks, everyone has it.

According to our dentist Mackay, plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. When you eat food, the bacteria that live in the plaque produce acids that, if left for long enough, can break down the enamel on your teeth.

What can it do to your oral health?

As we mentioned earlier, everyone accumulates plaque as they go about their day; hence why our team (and any other dental team!) recommends brushing your teeth twice a day to remove it.

But, if you neglect your oral health, it can build up and the acids produced by the growing population of bacteria can cause cavities to form. Excess amounts of plaque are also linked to gum disease, such as gingivitis, which presents with inflamed gums that bleed when brushed.

When plaque hardens on the teeth, it forms tartar, which cannot be removed by brushing alone and will require professional dental intervention. If you have concerns that you have a cavity or the early signs of gum disease, please contact our team for a check-up.

How do we remove it?

Luckily, plaque is a somewhat common occurrence in our surgery and if our team has concerns about the amount you have in your mouth, we will book you in for an appointment with our hygienist.

The standard treatment for the excess plaque is a scale and polish. Here, our hygienist team will remove stubborn tartar and plaque using a specific set of abrasive tools. Not only do they remove plaque that is on the surface of your teeth, but they can also remove plaque that is underneath the gums too. This will not only prevent the likelihood of gum disease from forming but will also leave you with a great-looking smile.

How can it be prevented?

Plaque can be prevented by regular brushing and regular trips to our dental team for check-ups.

If you have concerns about gum disease or have a family history of gum disease, please talk to our team about medicated mouthwash and toothpaste.

DISCLAIMER

All treatment carries risks. Individual consultation is required with one of our practitioners to ensure that the treatment is right for you.