Plaque is the constant bane of dental health. It probably seems you are always trying to remove plaque from your teeth. While plaque can be removed when it occurs, not cleaning your teeth effectively means that the plaque stays on your teeth, where it can harden into tartar. Tartar is so hard that flossing and brushing cannot remove it - only dental tools can. Here is some information about why plaque gets sticky and how to make sure you remove the plaque on your teeth before it can harden into tartar.
The Anatomy of Plaque
The plaque on your teeth is a combination of materials in your mouth. First, you have bacteria in your mouth all the time. Helpful bacteria begin the digestion process that moves vitamins and nutrients into your cells. Along with the helpful bacteria in your mouth are harmful bacteria that cause issues such as tooth decay.
When you eat carbohydrates such as bread, fruit, rice, or sugary treats, those carbohydrates combine with bacteria in your mouth to form acid. That acid can eat holes in your teeth and cause cavities. When the acid mixes with leftover food particles and saliva in your mouth, it becomes a sticky plaque. Once the plaque becomes sticky, it attracts more particles and bacteria and eventually hardens into tartar.
How Can I Get Rid of Plaque?
If you are concerned about the level of plaque on your teeth, there are some things you can do to keep the level under control. You can clean your teeth with toothpaste and dental floss after every meal or snack to keep the levels of bacteria lower, which reduces the amount of plaque on your teeth. Also, you may want to switch to toothpaste for gum health, which has ingredients to help reduce plaque levels. Be sure that if you eat sweets or other carbohydrates, you consume them in moderation and brush your teeth afterward. Finally, be sure to keep your regular dental appointments to have your teeth checked by our dentist to ensure your teeth stay healthy.
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Plaque is the constant bane of dental health. It probably seems you are always trying to remove plaque from your teeth. While plaque can be removed when it occurs, not cleaning your teeth effectively means that the plaque stays on your teeth, where it can harden into tartar. Tartar is so hard that flossing and brushing cannot remove it - only dental tools can. Here is some information about why plaque gets sticky and how to make sure you remove the plaque on your teeth before it can harden into tartar. 
