Your dental health should always be one of your top priorities, so if you’ve ever wondered, “How do I get rid of plaque?”, know you’re not alone. Plaque is one of the most common issues we see in our practice, but with a few easy steps, it can be effectively managed.
What Exactly is Plaque?
Plaque is a soft, sticky film made of bacteria, leftover food particles, and saliva. It continuously forms on your teeth throughout the day, particularly after meals. While plaque is typically colourless, it can give your teeth a yellowish appearance, and you might even notice a fuzzy feeling when you run your tongue over your teeth.
If plaque isn’t removed promptly, it can harden into tartar (also known as dental calculus), a yellowish or brownish deposit that’s much harder to eliminate. Unlike plaque, tartar can’t be removed at home—it requires professional dental cleaning.
Why Removing Plaque is Important
Unchecked plaque can lead to several serious dental and general health issues:
- Cavities: Bacteria in plaque produce acids that erode tooth enamel, causing decay. Left untreated, cavities can become painful and may require extensive dental treatment such as fillings or crowns.
- Gum Disease: Excessive plaque buildup irritates your gums, potentially leading to gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. If not addressed, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease that damages the bone supporting your teeth.
- Bad Breath (Halitosis): Persistent plaque and tartar buildup can result in ongoing bad breath, causing discomfort and affecting your confidence in social situations.
- Tooth Loss: Severe gum disease from plaque and tartar can eventually lead to tooth loss. Lost teeth may affect your ability to chew and speak clearly and can significantly impact your overall oral health and quality of life.
- Overall Health Risks: Recent research indicates potential links between severe gum disease and systemic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, and respiratory illnesses like pneumonia.
How Can You Effectively Remove Plaque at Home?
Removing plaque daily helps maintain a healthy mouth. Here’s what you can do:
Brush Regularly and Properly
Brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. Spend two minutes brushing each time, making gentle circular motions on all surfaces of your teeth. Electric toothbrushes, particularly those with oscillating heads, have been shown to remove plaque more effectively than manual brushes.
Floss Every Day
Flossing daily helps remove plaque from between your teeth, areas that your toothbrush can’t reach. Floss gently around each tooth, forming a ‘C’ shape and moving up and down to effectively remove plaque.
Use Baking Soda Toothpaste
Toothpaste containing baking soda is effective for plaque removal and can help prevent it from reforming. Baking soda is abrasive enough to remove plaque but gentle enough not to harm tooth enamel.
Try Oil Pulling
Oil pulling with coconut oil involves swishing one tablespoon of oil around your mouth for 10–20 minutes. This method has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits, reducing plaque and improving gum health.
Consider a Water Flosser
Water flossers use pressurised water to dislodge food particles and plaque from between your teeth, complementing traditional flossing.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing gum containing xylitol or sorbitol after meals increases saliva production, which naturally combats plaque buildup.
When to Get Professional Dental Cleaning
Even with diligent at-home care, some plaque and tartar buildup is inevitable. Regular professional cleanings ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy. During these visits, your experienced dentist or hygienist will:
- Thoroughly remove plaque and tartar using specialised dental tools, such as scalers and ultrasonic instruments, to clean both above and below the gumline.
- Polish your teeth to remove any residual stains and smooth surfaces, making it harder for plaque to adhere in the future.
- Examine your teeth and gums thoroughly for early signs of decay or gum disease, enabling prompt treatment and management.
- Provide personalised advice tailored to your oral health needs, recommending products or techniques to enhance your at-home care routine.
- Apply preventive treatments such as fluoride treatments to strengthen enamel, and dental sealants to protect grooves and pits in teeth from decay.
How to Prevent Future Plaque Buildup
Prevention is always easier and more effective than treatment. Here are essential tips to help maintain your oral health and prevent plaque accumulation:
- Maintain Regular Dental Checkups: Visit your dentist every six months, or more frequently if advised by your dentist, for thorough checkups and cleanings.
- Healthy Diet: Limit sugary and starchy foods and beverages, opting instead for healthier alternatives such as vegetables, cheese, plain yogurt, nuts, and lean proteins. These choices not only minimize plaque formation but also support overall dental health.
- Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly: Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if bristles become frayed, ensuring effective plaque removal during brushing.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking and chewing tobacco significantly increase plaque and tartar buildup, exacerbate gum disease, and slow down healing in the mouth. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits for your oral and overall health.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps rinse away food particles and bacteria, reducing plaque formation. Staying hydrated also ensures adequate saliva production, which naturally combats plaque and helps neutralize harmful acids.
Your Next Steps to a Healthier Smile
At Knight Street Dentists, we’re passionate about providing you and your family with expert dental care that’s both professional and enjoyable. If you’re concerned about plaque or just want to ensure you’re maintaining excellent oral health, book an appointment with us today. We’ll keep your teeth clean, your gums healthy, and your smile bright—because to us, you’re always family!
