The Truth About Dental Plaques

Fact #1: What Is Dental Plaque?

The dental plaque is the transparent, sticky coating that covers your teeth's whole surface. It is mostly made up of water, but it also contains a variety of bacteria. The plaque is also known as biofilm, bacterial plaque biofilm, plaque biofilm, oral biofilm or microbial plaque, as a result of this. Although water makes up the majority of plaque, dried dental plaque had 70% bacteria. There are over 1,000 distinct species of bacteria found in dental plaque, but there's a strong chance that there is more that haven't been discovered yet. These bacteria are a normal component of the human mouth, and some of them help maintain the mouth healthy.

Fact #2: Where Can You Find Dental Plaque?

The plaque may be present on the whole surface of your teeth, as previously stated. Plaque can be discovered on the front, rear, and sides of the crown and root of your teeth. Supragingival plaque is plaque that forms above the gum line, on the tooth's crown. This is the first type of plaque to form after brushing or flossing, generally within 4-12 hours. When supragingival plaque is not cleared from the teeth's surface, it might extend beyond the gum line. Subgingival plaque is a plaque that develops below the gum line, within the gum pockets, or on the tooth roots.

Fact #3: Dental Plaque Formation

Even if you eliminate some plaque, new plaque will grow from your body retains the two major components of plaque (water and bacteria). As a result, plaque develops when germs begin to gather in the sticky coating. Bacteria can enter the mouth during eating, drinking, or breathing, in addition to already being there. Germs not only enter the mouth on a daily basis, but it also creates a perfect habitat for bacteria to survive and develop. This is due to the mouth being warm, wet, and having a pH of 6-7. Plaque and bacteria require warmth, moisture, and a pH of 6.7-8.3 to thrive. Another reason plaque is so easy to build is that the teeth provides a perfect framework for germs to thrive unhindered. Because teeth do not shed like other body parts, the only time you brush or floss disturbs microorganisms. Bacteria will just continue to multiply if this is not done.

Fact #4: Too Much Dental Plaque Has Consequences

Plaque is made up of bacteria that are sticky, trapping food particles that the bacteria eat. This means that more plaque equals more bacteria in the end. Because bacteria are living creatures, they transform whatever they eat into an acidic waste product that is subsequently deposited on the tooth surface. When a high number of bacteria congregate in one place, a considerable amount of acid is formed in the enamel. Enamel, no matter how hard it is, will ultimately be destroyed by acids, resulting in a tooth cavity. Furthermore, bacteria that collect along the gum line had been linked to the development of gum disease.

Fact #5: What to Do If You Have Dental Plaque

Plaque is impossible to entirely eliminate since its two major components are always present in your mouth. You can, however, control the quantity of plaque in your mouth by brushing and flossing regularly. Brushing twice a day prevents supragingival plaque from reaching below the gum line, while flossing daily removes plaque from between the teeth and below the gum line. Having your teeth cleaned and inspected every six months reduces your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.