Plaque is a flexible film that piles on your teeth like snow. Over time it hardens, as snow would if rain was mixed and ice became a component. It contains MILLIONS of harmful bacteria that affect your teeth, gums, and overall health. Why is this stuff so bad? Well…
- It causes your teeth to decay, and if left untreated turns into gum disease.
- Even the smallest amount of it can mix with food, causing the bacteria that’s in plaque to use sugars to produce acids that will remove tooth enamel.
- All plaque that isn’t removed daily hardens into tartar. Once plaque turns into tartar, brushing and flossing is no longer an option for removal. Your hygienists will have to remove tartar to prevent gingivitis. If gingivitis isn’t treated, gums can shift away from your teeth and cause tooth loss.
- It is usually the reason for yellow teeth and bad breath.
As you can see, there’s nothing good about it. While the damage it does to your teeth and gums is bad enough, there’s more! It also activates your immune system chronically and leads to inflammation in the body for long periods of time. This causes premature aging and can develop into autoimmune diseases.
You can avoid the buildup of it by brushing your teeth at least twice a day for three minutes each time and flossing around your gums daily. Sonic toothbrushes have also proven to be a lot better than manual toothbrushes in the removal of it that has built up over time. Routine dentist appointments should be kept so that plaque buildup doesn’t become excessive.