Why Plaque Matters For Your Dental Health
Written by Brian Dean MS, RD, 2010-20-10Last update: 2010-20-10
Dental plaque is the source of many of our oral health problems and may affect other areas of your body as well, including your heart, according to the findings of certain new research.
Plaque is a soft layer of bacteria that builds up as a film in our mouths, usually on the teeth, as the oral bacteria feed on sugars left behind by the food we eat or the soda we drink. The more sugar is available, the faster plaque builds up, with several negative effects on your oral and general health.
From plaque to tartar
Plaque is a bacterial colony, usually growing at the edges of your teeth where they meet the gums. It is a sticky mass of living bacteria and bacterial corpses, and as the bacteria feed on sugar in your mouth, they release a steady flow of acid waste over the surface of your teeth. This acid slowly eats away the mineral structure of your tooth enamel, weakening the layer until the soft core of the tooth can be invaded and rotted by microorganisms. This acid also irritates the gums, while plaque hardens into a mineral deposit known as tartar if it is left unremoved for around 12 days. Tartar serves as a trap for large concentrations of acid and can also lead to gum damage and disease.
Not just the gums – other risks of plaque and tartar
Studies by the American Academy of Periodontology and various cardiac specialists indicate that diseased, bacteria-laden gums are a risk to your heart health as well. Bacteria eventually invade the bloodstream and attack the heart and other major organs, including the brain, causing damage that may eventually lead to other problems. So, it behooves you to deal with plaque effectively not only for oral health but to keep your heart and other parts healthy as well.
Striking first against plaque
The best plan you can follow is to deal with plaque before it becomes too thick or hardens into tartar. Brushing and flossing regularly, several times a day, is one of the best ways to keep plaque from building up in your mouth. Basically, you need to keep ahead of the bacteria by removing them before they begin to harden, which starts within 48 hours if you fail to brush your teeth. It’s important, however, to brush your teeth correctly and not cause more damage than you are preventing.
Brush your teeth thoroughly but gently
Your mouth is a sensitive area of your body and it is very easy to damage your gums. Most people brush their teeth much too hard for much too short a time. You should aim to brush your teeth for between two to four minutes during each session, but don’t scrub at them like you are cleaning mineral buildup from a toilet with a steel-bristle brush. You should brush lightly and thoroughly in small circles, holding your brush at a slanting angle to the teeth rather than at right angles.