Plaque - Why it forms and how to remove it

/ Plaque - Why it forms and how to remove it

Date published:

Plaque is divided into two types - soft and hard. All people have soft plaque, including small children - the remains of food that accumulate on the surface of the teeth are the ideal habitat and breeding ground for pathogens living in the mouth. If soft plaque is not removed in time, it will soon become darker and denser.

It is accepted to distinguish three stages of plaque formation on the teeth.

  • The first stage lasts for the first 4 hours after the hygiene procedures. During this stage, the bacteria remaining after brushing the teeth begin to multiply.
  • The second stage occurs within 4-7 hours, and during this time the number of microbes increases 10-fold. Microorganisms attach to the surface of the teeth with a soft biofilm. The acids that the bacteria begin to secrete in the course of their life destroy the enamel.
  • The third stage occurs after 6-7 hours. The plaque is fully formed and can be seen on the teeth with the naked eye.

Poor oral hygiene over a period of weeks can lead to the mineralization of plaque to the plaque stage, but it's better not to let it get to that point. It is impossible to remove hard dental plaque by yourself - it is necessary to resort to the help of a dentist. It is impossible to avoid plaque formation, but everyone can fight it effectively.

How dangerous plaque can be:

  • Halitosis. It's hard to imagine a successful person with bad breath due to unclean, yellow teeth. It would be difficult to win the favor of others and make a good impression when you look like that.
  • Caries. As we said earlier, the acids that microorganisms secrete destroy enamel. The infection easily penetrates the structure of the tooth, leading to the development of tooth decay and serious complications - pulpitis and periodontitis.
  • Gingivitis and periodontitis. Hard plaque accumulates in the gingival sulcus, causing inflammation and bleeding of the gums. Destruction of the tooth-gum ligaments causes periodontal disease and premature tooth loss.
  • Complications after tooth extraction. Plaque can cause an infection if a tooth is extracted or an open wound in the mouth. Complications are always known to be long, painful, and costly to treat.

It is necessary to remove plaque every day by yourself, and by a specialist twice a year.

It is impossible to completely clean plaque at home, because it accumulates in areas that cannot be treated by yourself. That is why it is necessary to resort to the help of a professional every six months.

Professional hygiene is performed in phases using mechanical cleaning, air-flow and ultrasound equipment. This type of cleaning is indicated for everyone who wants to have beautiful and healthy teeth. It is essential for those who are planning to have braces, dentures or implants fitted, or who are going to undergo bleaching or remineralization procedures.

See more articles:

See all articles