There is a mixture ofbacteria andbiofilms.It's a clear sticky substance that forms on the teeth every day and if it isn't brushed and flossed away it can lead to bad breath and turn your teeth yellow.It is easy to prevent plaque from damaging the teeth.Proper dental hygiene, eating teeth-friendly foods and seeing the dentist regularly are the best ways to keep plaque out of your teeth.Your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, and more can be increased by plaque formation.
Step 1: You should brush your teeth at least once a day.
Whether we like it or not, plaque builds up on the teeth.The best way to get rid of plaque is to use a toothbrush and toothpaste that has been approved by the American Dental Association.There is a list of approved products on the ADA website.After eating or drinking, brush your teeth.If you consume acidic drinks like coffee, orange juice, or soda, you should not brush your teeth for 30 minutes.Don't go to bed without brushing your teeth.Thebacteria that produce plaque all night can work unimpeded if you do that.
Step 2: The correct brushing technique is used.
You can leave plaque on your teeth even after you've taken the time to clean them.You should brush your teeth for 2 to 3 minutes.You can brush your teeth with small circular motions or gentle back and forth strokes.Don't scrub back and forth.The outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of your teeth need to be brushed.If you want to clean the inside of your front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and use up-and-down strokes.Keep your breath fresh by brushing your tongue.The back teeth are more difficult to reach, so pay special attention to them.
Step 3: It's a good idea to keep your toothbrush clean.
A toothbrush that is not properly cleaned can carry germs that can contribute to plaque, while a brush that has not been cleaned in a long time can do a poor job of cleaning teeth.If you store your toothbrush in a closed container, it may lead to the growth ofbacteria, so wash it with tap water after use.It is recommended that you replace your tooth brush every 3 to 4 months.Don't use a brush with hard bristles because it can be too abrasive.Electric toothbrush have been shown to be more effective than manual ones.
Step 4: Floss your teeth at least once a day.
The plaque can't be reached with a toothbrush.It's important to floss every day so the plaque between your teeth isn't left to build up and cause problems.If it has the American Dental Association seal of approval, you can choose from wax, unwaxed, or tape floss.floss, regardless of when, is the most important thing according to the National Institute of Health.The correct way to floss is using it.Start with about 18 inches of floss.Take care not to let the floss snap against your gums as you pull it between your teeth.Rub the floss up and down against the tooth, keeping it pressed against it.On the opposite tooth, repeat.Before you floss between your next two teeth, use a clean segment of floss.floss behind your back teethFlossing too hard can damage your teeth.After a couple of weeks, flossing will no longer make you feel uncomfortable.You are flossing too hard if it continues.You can use a mouth pick if you don't like flossing.It's a small piece of plastic that fits between your teeth and is an alternative to floss.
Step 5: An antimicrobial mouth rinse can be used.
The plaque that builds up in the little parts of your mouth is difficult to reach by brushing or flossing, so rinses are designed to kill it.They have been shown to be more effective than floss.It doesn't matter if the active ingredient is chlorhexidine, essential oils, Delmopinol, or cetyl pyridinium chloride; just choose a rinse that is labeled "antibacterial"Do not use chlorhexidine for more than two weeks.Long term use can cause your teeth to get brown stains which can only be removed with dental cleaning.It doesn't matter if you rinse your mouth before or after flossing.Swish a capful of rinse around your mouth for about 30 seconds, make sure it coats your teeth, then spit it out.The American Dental Association seal can be found in mouth rinses.The ADA website has a list of approved mouth rinses.
Step 6: Limit the amount of fluoride that children are exposed to.
fluoride has been shown to prevent tooth decay and is found in most commercially-produced toothpaste.The low amount of fluoride in water and tooth paste does not pose a health risk to adults, but it can affect the mental development of children.Do not use toothpaste in infants under 2 years of age.For children older than 2, use only a pea-sized amount.Children under the age of 6 should not use mouth rinses.
Step 7: Keep dentures, retainers and other appliances clean.
Even if you are practicing good oral hygiene, plaque can be collected on these mouth appliances.It's a good idea to brush your dentures, retainers, and other appliances at least once a year.
Step 8: It's a good idea to make sure your dental hygiene routine is working.
A plaque test can be performed to make sure your combination of brushing, flossing, and rinsing is removing plaque from your teeth.If you take the test at night, the red staining on your lips or teeth will go away by the morning.Floss and brush your teeth.After chewing the tablets for about 30 seconds, rinse with water.Take a look at your teeth in a mirror.It will be stained pink or red if you didn't remove it via brushing and flossing.If the test shows remaining plaque, you should modify your brushing and flossing technique and repeat it until you are sure you have removed all the plaque.
Step 9: Sugary and starchy foods should not be eaten.
It's important to say "no" to food products that contain sugar or starch in order to prevent the build up of plaque.If you are serious about preventing plaque from forming, try to limit the following items, especially later in the day when you're about to go to bed.lollipops, caramels and cough drops are the worst sweets because they stay in your mouth for a long time.The leading cause of tooth decay is carbonated soft drinks because they contain lots of sugar, plus phosphoric and citric acids.If you drink soft drinks, use a straw positioned towards the back of the mouth to reduce their impact.Starches that get stuck between your teeth, like soft bread, potato chips, or dried fruit, allow more time for plaque to build up than starches that pass quickly through the mouth.If you eat any of the above, try to eat with a meal as saliva production from eating will help combat plaque formation.
Step 10: It's a good idea to avoid things that dry your mouth.
You don't want a dry mouth because saliva helps prevent plaque.Talk to your dentist if you're having a dry mouth because of medicine.Dry mouth can be caused by many antihypertensive, antidepressant, and antihistamine medications.If you experience dry mouth, make sure to care for your teeth.
Step 11: Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.
You can clean your teeth without using a toothbrush.Fruits and vegetables like carrots, apples, and pears help to remove plaque from your teeth by stimulating saliva and reducing the impact of plaque.If you feel a film on your teeth and you don't have a toothbrush, try taking a big bite out of an apple with the skin on for instant results.
Step 12: Eat healthy foods that increase saliva flow.
The saliva washes away the plaque on your teeth.If you want to keep plaque away during the day, choose foods that make you salivate.Milk and cheese are great for saliva production because of the calcium and other minerals in them.Sugarless chewing gum is great for saliva production and removal of food particles from your mouth.After 1 minute, the best time to chew is when the gum is dry.
Step 13: Drink green and black tea.
There are compounds in both kinds that kill thebacteria that produce plaque.If you want to protect your teeth, brew your tea in tap water rich in fluoride.
Step 14: You should drink water.
Drinking water will keep you hydrated and will help to clean out your mouth.Take a long drink when your teeth are not as clean as you would like.It is possible to protect your teeth from plaque by drinking tap water.
Step 15: Do not chew tobacco.
Smoking does not directly contribute to plaque, but it does make it worse.Smoking increases the risk of tooth loss and periodontal disease.Smoking tobacco has the same effects as chewing tobacco.
Step 16: You should visit the dentist every 6 months.
When it comes to dental hygiene, there's only so much you can do at home.No matter how careful you are to remove plaque by brushing twice a day, flossing and using a mouth rinse, there may be areas you miss, which will allow plaque to build up in your mouth and can only be removed by a dentist.A dentist can determine if there are any other issues with your mouth and teeth that are likely to cause problems down the road.If you have a history of cavities, wear braces, smoke or chew tobacco, or have an suppressed immune system, you should visit the dentist more often.
Step 17: The dentist will plan your teeth.
Scaling is the removal of tartar, particularly along the gum line, which is usually done using hand instruments.Planing uses instruments that are similar to those used to smooth out your teeth.
Step 18: Debridement is needed to remove plaque.
If you haven't visited the dentist in a while, plaque and Tartar may have built up on your teeth and need to be removed through high-pressure water and sound waves.
Step 19: If necessary, get additional treatments.
If you have large amounts of plaque and tartar that have led to periodontal (gum) disease, your dentist can prescribe antibiotics or other procedures in order to kill thebacteria that cause plaque.