How Bacterial Plaque Forms
Bacterial plaque is a transparent film composed of bacteria that live in the mouth and substances from food, such as sugars, carbohydrates, and lipids. It is primarily the sugars that provide bacteria with a food source, enabling them to grow and multiply.
The bacteria that normally live in the mouth become much more aggressive and harmful when they form plaque.
Plaque begins to form immediately after eating, and if not removed, it can cause very serious problems. Initially, it leads to gum inflammation (gingivitis) and, over time, can progress to periodontitis, a disease affecting the supporting tissues of the teeth, which can result in tooth loss.
How to Detect the Presence of Bacterial Plaque
There are plaque-disclosing tablets that use a harmless dye to highlight bacterial plaque, coloring it. This makes it easier to identify and properly remove it.
If plaque accumulates over time, it hardens and forms tartar. Unlike plaque, tartar is visible; initially, it takes on a yellowish color, which eventually turns brown.
The best way to remove both bacterial plaque and tartar is through professional teeth cleaning, which should be done regularly (1-2 times a year) by your trusted dentist or dental hygienist.
How to Defend Against Plaque
The best defense against bacterial plaque is prevention. That’s why at Freesmile, we recommend thorough oral hygiene. The most important action is brushing your teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste every day, multiple times a day.
The brushing motion should not be horizontal, but vertical, with the toothbrush angled at 45 degrees, to help remove plaque even from the gumline. Watch our video on how to brush your teeth correctly:
Another very important tool is dental floss, which helps remove bacterial plaque and food particles from between the teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach.
Using an anti-plaque mouthwash can also contribute to better oral hygiene, but it can never replace the toothbrush as the primary method for plaque removal. It only serves as an auxiliary measure.
Even if you maintain good oral hygiene, at Freesmile we recommend having a professional dental cleaning at least once a year. This is because there are areas that cannot be reached by our daily brushing. Our dental professionals will remove the plaque with specialized manual and ultrasonic tools.
