Our smile is not only colloquially our strongest "weapon". However, many things can tarnish a beautiful smile. One of those things is Dental plaque or. Plaquewhich, however, can cause many other unsightly factors inside the mouth. But what are they and what can you do about it?
What is dental plaque?
Common dental plaque, medically and professionally also called plaque, is made up of various components of saliva, food residues, bacteria and metabolic reserves.
Roughly almost invisible, plaque can definitely be felt. With your own tongue, for example, when you run over your teeth. If the teeth feel furry, rough, uneven or dull, there is dental plaque on them.
However, the formation of plaque is completely natural and more or less harmless. However, due to various factors, plaque can be very strongly formed and under certain circumstances even turn into tartar. And it is well known that this can no longer simply be cleaned away and is anything but invisible.
causes
Plaque is actually something very natural. It forms again and again on the teeth through our saliva, through food residues and also through the metabolism of our body.
In small doses it can only be felt to a limited extent and is almost entirely invisible. However, certain foods such as coffee, tea, sugar and the consumption of nicotine can accelerate, change and negatively favor the formation of dental plaque.
The consequences can be discoloration of the teeth in the long term and also in the short term, but also severe tartar formation. If the teeth are not brushed regularly and the plaque is removed in this way, this can damage the natural tooth substance. This makes the tooth itself more sensitive to diseases such as tooth decay and periodontal disease.
In the long run, the gums do not always react positively to dental plaque, as they contain a high proportion of bacteria. Another common consequence of plaque is gum inflammation and receding gums.
Diseases with this symptom
- Periodontal disease
- Caries
- Inflammation of the gums
Complications
Dental plaque is usually a disease with very few complications and a relatively good chance of recovery. Only in rare cases is it really necessary to see a dentist with this problem. The dental plaque itself is mostly caused by insufficient hygiene in the oral cavity.
The patient needs to brush their teeth more often, use dental floss, and use a mouth rinse regularly to get rid of plaque. This will go away over time with good oral hygiene. If the plaque appeared suddenly or if it keeps coming back, a dentist can be visited. However, a change in eating behavior can also lead to better teeth.
This problem usually heals without complications. If the plaque has been around for a long time, it is possible that some teeth have been attacked and may have tooth decay. Gum inflammation can also occur due to poor oral hygiene.
However, these symptoms are relatively rare and only occur if the plaque has been around for a very long time and nothing is done about it. In the case of plaque after eating, sugar-free chewing gum can also help to remove the plaque from the teeth and to protect them in the process. Here you should always pay attention to the sugar-free variant.
When should you go to the doctor?
Dental plaque is usually harmless and can be reduced independently with adequate oral hygiene. A doctor only needs to be consulted if the plaque forms unusually quickly or if it smells particularly unpleasant. If dental plaque develops despite regular dental care, which may also differ from normal plaque in color, smell and consistency, a visit to a doctor is recommended. The same applies to dental plaque that appears in the oral cavity after an operation. It may be an allergic reaction that must be medically investigated to avoid further complications.
Anyone who already suffers from tooth decay or tartar should go to the responsible dentist with excessive plaque. The symptoms may be due to the germ composition in the mouth, which can be regulated with the help of some preparations. Allergy sufferers and patients with other pre-existing conditions that could possibly be responsible for the plaque should discuss the symptoms with their doctor. Dental plaque as a result of an inflammation of the oral mucosa must always be treated by a doctor. Especially when painful blisters form in the oral cavity or other accompanying symptoms occur.
Doctors & therapists in your area
Treatment & Therapy
When diagnosing dental plaque, successful treatment always largely depends on the stage of the total deposits. As already indicated, very fresh deposits are completely natural - but this does not mean that they are completely harmless and harmless to the teeth.
Regular cleaning of the teeth and the inside of the mouth with a suitable toothbrush, toothpaste and ideally also with supportive mouth rinses are essential. Since the dental plaque still damages the tooth substance, you should also visit the dentist.
For example, for a professional cleaning of the teeth and for a targeted strengthening of the damaged tooth substance. The whole thing can also be wonderfully supported at home by using special toothpastes and gels with a very high fluid content.
This is because the upper protective layers of the tooth consist largely of this. However, these layers also wear out over the years and make the tooth vulnerable. Tartar must also be professionally removed by the dentist.
Outlook & forecast
As a rule, the dental plaque does not cause any serious or harmful complications. Treatment by the doctor is also not absolutely necessary.
There are also many self-help tools available to the patient to remove plaque from their teeth. As a rule, however, plaque can be reduced or completely avoided by brushing your teeth frequently. However, it is a common symptom that can appear after eating or drinking. This mainly affects people who eat colored foods. This also includes drinks such as coffee or tea, which also ensure yellowish plaque. If the person concerned removes this plaque daily by brushing their teeth, there are usually no further complaints.
If the patient is dissatisfied with the plaque, professional teeth cleaning can be carried out at the dentist. The plaque on the teeth is permanently removed. A healthy diet without colored drinks or food is a good way to avoid the topping. Since such a diet is not completely possible, care measures should be taken on the teeth between meals in order to avoid further discomfort.
prevention
The best way to prevent plaque is through conscientious and thorough dental hygiene. Here, you should primarily pay attention to the regular and frequency of brushing your teeth.
Brushing and caring for your teeth three times a day is the optimal average. This is because the tooth substance and gums are not stressed by the brushing itself, despite thorough cleaning. It also depends on the means and “tools” used.
The toothbrush should always be suitable in terms of strength for the tooth and for the gums. When cleaning, however, you should always make sure to remove all deposits as well as possible. Here you can feel it with your tongue after brushing, but you can also use coloring tablets from the dentist or pharmacy to help.
By the way, the teeth between the teeth are best cleaned with dental floss or with special interdental brushes. The perfect finish, on the other hand, is provided by suitable mouthwashes that counteract the formation of plaque and strengthen the tooth substance.
You can do that yourself
Chronic plaque should be removed as part of a professional teeth cleaning. In addition, the teeth can be freed of residues with the help of some home remedies and measures.
First of all, we recommend the use of dental floss and mouthwashes, which can effectively remove stubborn deposits from the entire oral cavity. The tongue should be cleaned regularly with a tongue scraper to prevent the spread of germs. Tried and tested home remedies include olive oil, tea tree oil and tincture of myrrh from the pharmacy. Baking powder and lemon juice can also help against plaque in the short term, but they damage the teeth in the long term. Nourishing chewing gum with xylitol or apple varieties such as Boskop and Gray Renette are more effective. Cheese contains the protein casein, which strengthens tooth enamel and thus prevents tooth decay. In addition, douches with sage and chamomile as well as turmeric and banana peel help.
Dental plaque can also be removed while on the move with dental sticks, dental care lozenges and mobile dental care sets. It is also important to avoid excessively sour or sweet foods and also to avoid red wine, coffee and cigarettes. Drinking regularly flushes the plaque out naturally and ensures white teeth.
