Bacterial Plaque: Plaque and Tartar on Teeth

Plaque and tartar are very common in people who do not maintain proper oral hygiene. Our mouth is home to many bacteria, some of which are benign and some not. When these bacteria attack the teeth, as they generally do when there are food particles stuck between them, a thick white colored film forms around the enamel. This film is quite soft and can usually be removed by simply scraping it with the fingernails. However, if left untreated, this film can harden over a period of 48 hours. In about 10 to 12 days, if the film is still not removed, the plaque becomes rock hard and difficult to remove. This hardened plaque is called tartar.

Not only do plaque and tartar make your teeth look ugly, they also cause a foul odor. While this is just the beginning, not taking proper care of this problem may cause severe problems like gingivitis and periodontal disease. Tartar cannot be removed manually from the teeth. However, plaque can be easily removed. Therefore, it is best if you nip the problem in the bud. Brushing twice with the help of a soft toothbrush usually does the trick. Due to the friction caused on the teeth by the toothbrush, the bacterial growth is affected. The brushing, however, has to be done gently so that you do not end up damaging the gums or the enamel.

Take special care while cleaning the lower set of teeth. The back of these teeth are especially prone to formation of plaque. The cleaning should also be rigorous around the areas where the teeth come in close contact with the cheeks and the tongue. The brushing routine should take some time. Most people simply run the brush around on the teeth once and wash up. This is not how it should be done. In the morning and before going to bed, spend at least 2 to 4 minutes on your teeth. Flossing is even better.

Toothbrushes are generally available in soft, medium, and hard bristles. Choose one that has well rounded bristles that are soft and do not cause discomfort when used. Once a week, you may try scrubbing your teeth with baking soda. Simply dip your brush in the soda and wet it a little. Brush your teeth with this toothbrush now. Instead of baking soda, you may even use common salt.

Rinsing your mouth with Listerine every night is also a good way to get rid of plaque.