Will Hardened Plaque Go Away?
Dental plaque is the sticky film that develops on your teeth and along the gum line throughout the day. Plaque forms as a result of chemical reactions that take place in your mouth and grows a little with every snack and meal. The foods we eat every day not only feed us but also feed the bacteria in plaque. Plaque bacteria especially loves carbohydrates and sugars and uses those energies to create an acid that erodes tooth enamel.
Without regular removal, dental plaque can harden into tartar which needs to be professionally removed and does not come off with simple brushing and flossing. Once tartar builds up, it can cause tooth decay, discoloration and bad breath. When hardened plaque builds up on your teeth and eats away at the enamel, tooth decay can develop.
What does hardened dental plaque do to teeth?
Aside from discoloration, bad breath, and cavities, hardened dental plaque can cause gum recession and periodontal disease. Severe gum recession may need special treatment with a gum graft to restore.
How can I prevent hardened plaque build up on my teeth?
Plaque is likely to form no matter what but you can keep it from building up and hardening by paying attention to your diet and avoiding starchy and sugary foods. It is also vital to brush and floss every single day to remove plaque from between the teeth and below the gum line.
Brushing twice a day with a soft bristle toothbrush removes the plaque that accumulates on the surface of your teeth and loosens food particles that contribute to the development of plaque. Flossing at least once a day removes food particles, plaque, and bacteria from between your teeth and below the gum line. Flossing gives bacteria less of a chance to form plaque.
Once plaque forms on your teeth and along the gum line, it usually hardens within 48 hours so it is important to practice proper oral hygiene to avoid the development of tartar. Tartar can only be removed with professional scraping by your dental hygienist.
Some patients are more prone to plaque development than others just as some are more susceptible to gum disease than others. Left untreated, plaque buildup can harden into tartar which can cause periodontal disease and gum recession. Hardened plaque will not go away on its own and tooth decay does not heal itself! This is why regular check-ups with your dentist are so important. Even if you do not have any symptoms, your dentist may find something that needs to be addressed before it progresses into something more serious.