Safest Teeth Whiteners
The safest ways to whiten your teeth explained
Dentistry
General
Malocclusion
Cosmetic
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Dental plaque is a sticky coating of bacteria on the surface of the teeth. It can have a slippery or fuzzy texture and an unpleasant odor.
Everyone has plaque. It’s constantly forming on your teeth, towards the gum line, after eating and drinking.
Learn about the safest ways to whiten your teeth.
Plaque appears as a soft, sticky coating on the surface of the teeth and between the teeth. It’s not always easy to see. It ranges in color from translucent to pale yellow.
When plaque builds up, it can make the teeth appear yellow and/or orange.
Plaque forms on teeth when bacteria in the mouth causes a chemical reaction.
The human mouth naturally contains thousands of bacteria. When you eat and chew food, the carbohydrates combine with bacteria in your mouth to create acid.
The acid then combines with food particles and saliva to create plaque. Plaque also contains exfoliated cells from the inside of the mouth.
Eating foods that contain carbohydrates, like sugars and starches, causes plaque buildup on the teeth. Bacteria feed on the sugars in the food particles and produce acids.
Common foods that can cause plaque buildup include:
Everyone accumulates plaque on their teeth. However, some people may be at higher risk for severe plaque buildup than others.
You may be more likely to develop plaque buildup if you have:
See NewMouth’s top 10 teeth whitening products of 2022.
Some plaque may be good for the teeth.
The thin layer of biofilm protects teeth from the dietary acid in food. The bacteria in plaque also protect against other more harmful bacteria.
However, significant plaque buildup is dangerous and can lead to many health complications.
Risks of plaque buildup include:
If dental plaque is not removed, it hardens and forms tartar, or calculus. Plaque needs to be removed within 24 hours to prevent tartar formation.
Tartar is impossible to remove without the help of a dental professional. Tartar build-up often spreads below the gum line, which causes gum inflammation or infection.
Tartar compromises the health of the gums and can contribute to the development of periodontal disease. Remove plaque as quickly as possible to prevent tartar formation.
Cavities are bacterial infections of tooth surfaces that can develop into holes. Roughly 92% of adults have tooth decay.
The bacteria in plaque produce acids, which destroy your tooth enamel, causing decay.
Plaque can irritate the gums if not cleaned properly, causing inflammation, swelling, or bleeding. Nearly half of adults aged 30 or older have gum disease.
Gingivitis can be prevented, controlled, and treated with good oral hygiene, including regular professional cleanings.
Bad breath, called halitosis, is an unpleasant oral odor often caused by plaque.
Plaque causes a buildup of odor-producing bacteria on the teeth and tongue. Roughly eight to 50 percent of people worldwide have recurring bad breath.
Periodontal disease can cause the loss of the connective tissue and bone surrounding your teeth, which may lead to tooth loss.
When plaque builds up in the mouth, the bacteria accumulate and cause the teeth to separate from the gum line. This triggers the body’s immune response. The resulting inflammation causes damage to the connective tissue and bone surrounding your teeth.
Oral health is connected to overall body health. Plaque buildup can lead to many general health issues.
Bacteria in plaque can travel through the bloodstream to other areas of the body and cause inflammation. This results in damage to the body’s internal organs.
Plaque buildup increases the risk of stroke, diabetes, pneumonia, premature birth, and heart disease.
Plaque will stay on the teeth unless removed with a toothbrush or floss. Dental plaque must be removed regularly to avoid any oral health issues.
If you have severe plaque buildup, only a dental professional can remove it. They will scrape plaque and tartar off your teeth during a dental cleaning.
Your dentist may also recommend other treatments to minimize plaque accumulation, such as:
Practicing diligent oral hygiene is the best way to prevent plaque buildup. It’s much easier to stop plaque from accumulating than it is to remove it.
Here are dentists’ top tips for preventing plaque buildup:
Brush twice a day for at least two minutes. Use baking soda with fluoridated mouthwash or an anti-plaque fluoridated toothpaste.
Electric toothbrushes may be more effective at getting rid of plaque than manual toothbrushes, though both can get the job done.
Models with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval have gone through rigorous testing and are approved to help reduce plaque. Learn more from our Review of the Best Toothbrushes of 2021.
Whether you use a water flosser or dental floss, regular floss is still superior. Interdental cleaning is the only way to remove plaque from the small spaces between your teeth.
An antiseptic mouthwash can help kill bacteria that cause plaque. Rinse once or twice a day.
The bacteria in your mouth feed on sugary and starchy foods. Try to limit them in your daily meals and snacks.
Drinking water during and after meals helps remove food particles from your mouth. This limits the growth of bacteria, which leads to plaque.
There is little published research on oil pulling. It involves swishing and "pulling" oil around your mouth and through your teeth for fifteen to twenty minutes.
Most people use coconut oil, but you can use any vegetable oil, such as olive, sunflower, or sesame oil.
Proponents of this practice say that coconut oil is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. The antibacterial quality makes it a more "natural" option to fight plaque.
Your dentist can remove plaque or tartar during your regular teeth cleaning. You should visit your general dentist at least once every 6 months.
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on the surface of your teeth. It’s created by bacteria that develop from eating carbohydrates.
A significant buildup of plaque can be dangerous to your health. It can cause tartar, gum disease, cavities, and more.
You can prevent plaque buildup by practicing good oral hygiene. If you have significant plaque buildup, visit your dentist for a professional cleaning.
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