How to Prevent Dental Plaque, How to Clean It?

Dental plaque can be explained as a sticky and colorless layer formed by bacteria, food residues, saliva and water in the mouth. Dental plaque is one of the most important causes of tooth decay and gum disease. If dental plaque is not cleaned regularly, it hardens on the tooth surface and turns into a substance called tartar. Tartar can cause inflammation and recession of the gums. This can lead to tooth loss and other health problems. Dental plaque can be seen as a yellowish color on the teeth. However, sometimes it may not be noticeable to the eye. Therefore, it is necessary to use some methods to detect and clean dental plaque. In this article prepared by Evla experts, you can find answers to many questions about plaque.

How to Clean Dental Plaque?

The most effective way to remove dental plaque is to brush your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, with a fluoride toothpaste. The toothbrush should be used to cover the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of the teeth. The bristles of the toothbrush should be held at a 45-degree angle at the gum level and brushed with small circular movements, but a toothbrush alone is not enough to clean dental plaque. Dental floss or an interdental brush should be used to remove plaque accumulated in the spaces between teeth and around the gum edges. The floss should be gently inserted between the teeth and moved up and down without damaging the gums. An interdental brush can be used in larger spaces than dental floss. After using dental floss or interdental brushing, the mouth should be rinsed with water.

Another way to clean dental plaque is to use an anti-plaque or antibacterial mouthwash. Mouthwash helps reduce dental plaque by killing bacteria in places that a toothbrush or dental floss cannot reach. Mouthwash should be rinsed in the mouth for about 30 seconds, once or twice a day after brushing and flossing. To prevent mouthwash from neutralizing the fluoride contained in toothpaste, at least 15 minutes should be waited between tooth brushing and mouthwash.

The last way to clean dental plaque is to go to the dentist regularly and have dental scaling done. Tartar is the mineralized form of dental plaque and cannot be removed by home methods. The dentist removes tartar from the teeth and gums with special tools. This process is very important for the prevention and treatment of gum disease. Scaling should be done once or twice a year, according to the dentist's recommendation.

How to Prevent Dental Plaque?

The best way to prevent dental plaque is to follow the methods mentioned above regularly. In addition, it is possible to take some precautions to reduce dental plaque formation. Some of them can be listed as follows:

• Avoiding or reducing consumption of sugary, acidic and starchy foods: These foods cause the formation of dental plaque and wear of tooth enamel. After consuming such foods, it is a good idea to brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol: Smoking and alcohol increase the formation of dental plaque and increase the risk of gum disease. It also causes yellowing of teeth and bad breath.
• Drinking water: Water prevents dry mouth and increases saliva production. Saliva plays a protective role against tooth decay and gum disease by neutralizing dental plaque and acids.
• Going to the dentist regularly: The dentist checks the formation of dental plaque and tartar and applies the necessary treatment. He also evaluates the health of the teeth and gums and gives advice on oral hygiene.

Dental plaque is a problem that threatens dental health. However, it is possible to clean and prevent it with simple and effective methods. Taking good care of your teeth helps you maintain both your oral health and your overall health. To prevent plaque formation, you can immediately browse the Oral Care Products category in the Evla selection and purchase your personal care products.