Dental Plaque

They are the most common causes of Gum and periodontal Diseases in addition they play a major roll in production of caries. 

 

A-PLAQUE 

What is plaque?  

Plaque is a sticky, colorless substance that constantly forms on your teeth, consisting of bacteria, mucus and food debris. Bacteria lead to bad breath and plaque build up. There are two types of plaques either it is acidic or alkaline PH.

 

The acidic one consisting carbohydrate food and bacteria  like to live in acid medium  so the colonies of bacteria  fermented the sugar to acid .Acid is the main causes of caries. Which is responsible, for dissolving, calcium of tooth substances. The Alkaline one consist mainly from proteins type of food and bacteria like to live in alkaline media, this type of plaque harden to tartar (mineral build –up) which is the responsible foe gum and periodontal diseases. Both types are begins forms on teeth 4 to 10 hours after brushing. 

 

How do you know if you have plaque?  

Every one develops plaque. As bacteria are constantly forming in our mouth from the foods we eat . Plaque causes cavities when the acids from the plaque attack the teeth after eating a meal .The tooth enamel may break down and a cavity may form .If plaque is not removed it can irritate the gums leading to gingivitis (red, swollen, bleeding gum) and periodontitis (tooth loss) .  

 

How to prevent plaque build-up?  

• Limit sugary and starchy foods. Especially sticky foods. 
• Brush thoroughly at least twice a day to remove plaque from your teeth. 
• Rinse with mouth wash twice a day by warm salty water or any disinfected mouth wash, to kill the germs that cause plaque, gingivitis and bad breath in places we often miss. 
• Floss Daily especially at night before sleep. 
• Visit your dentist or oral hygienist for professional tooth cleanings and check up.   

 

B- TARTAR BUILD-UP 

What is tartar? 

Plaque which is not removed by brushing can harden into (mineral build-up ) tarter or we can called Calculus is a rough, hard, yellow deposit around the base of your teeth and gum line that can only be removed by your dentist or oral hygienist.

 

Tartar gives plaque more surface area on which to grow and a stickier surface to adhere to, which can lead to more serious conditions such as cavities and gum diseases.

 

Tartar is a mineral build-up that is fairly easy to see if it is the gum line .It is caused by the build-up of plaque which starts to form only hours after brushing. The most common sign of tarter is teeth or gum turning yellow or brown in color (discoloration). Tarter build-up can make it more difficult to remove newly formed plaque and its associated bacteria. If plaque and bacteria are not removed properly, more serious problems such as gum diseases (periodontitis), pockets, mobility of teeth and congested bleeding gum can develop. 

 

How to prevent tarter build-up? 

• To fight tartar build up , practice an oral care routine that includes the following steps: 
• Brush twice daily at least . 
• Floss daily  
• Reduce sugar food intake, increase vegetable foods. Reduce coffee and tea finally stops smocking. 
• Do mouth wash with salty water or ant antiseptic mouth wash or chewing gum content fluoride and free from sugar.
• Schedule regular dental appointments (at least six months) to ensure that your teeth and gums remain healthy for life. 

 

Tips for a healthier mouth: The food we eat play an important role in the development of dental problems like cavities and gum diseases, so we need to choose the food we eat carefully.   

 

Food and oral health.  

Try to eat food that are high in nutrients and low in sugar. Milk, eggs, yoghurt, peanuts and cheese are good for your smile. Milk acts as an acid inhibitor when combine with starch such as cereals and works against the potential acid production of the cereal. Cheese in general is good preventive food as it increase salivary flow. Meat, seafood, hard - boiled eggs, raw vegetable, plain popcorn, seeds and nuts are also good for your smile. 

 

Foods that could affect your teeth. 

• Foods like berries, curry, coffee, red wine and tea can easily stain your teeth.  
• Extremely hot or cold liquids are dangerous to your teeth. They change the temperature of your   teeth, which causes the teeth to expand and contract, allowing stains to penetrate your teeth. 
• Foods that are slightly acid like drinks (content soda) open up the pores of the tooth enamel allowing.   
• Stains to, move more easily into your teeth. 
• Foods highly in sugar like chocolate, cakes, pastries, presweetened cereals, fast foods gum, jellies and sodas are not good for your teeth. 
• Foods like raisins and peanut butter that stick to the teeth provide a constant source of energy foe bacteria that creates cavity causing acid. 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Ali Abdul Kareem Atrah   

B.D.S – HDCD- Msc. Conservative Dentistry 

Fujairah Medical Centre