What is dental plaque?
Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. It’s normal to produce plaque. But if you don’t remove plaque with routine dental cleanings and daily brushing and flossing, it can cause cavities, gum disease and other oral health issues.
What is tooth plaque made of?
Plaque contains bacteria, leftover food particles and saliva. When you eat, the bacteria in your mouth feed on food debris (like sugars and carbohydrates). This breaks the food down into a sticky, acidic film — what we know as dental plaque.
What does plaque look like on your teeth?
Technically, plaque is colorless. But sometimes it can cause tooth discoloration because food particles stick to the plaque.
Dental plaque makes your teeth look (and feel) “fuzzy.” If you run your tongue over your teeth and it feels like they’re wearing tiny sweaters, that’s plaque.
Tartar vs. plaque
Tartar is hardened plaque. If you don’t remove plaque regularly, it will turn into tartar. At this point, you can’t brush or floss it away. Only a dentist or hygienist can remove it. Dental calculus is another name for tartar.
Tartar might be off-white or yellow at first. But after a while, it will take on the color of whatever foods or substances you consume. For example, certain things can make tartar look darker, including:
- Coffee.
- Tea.
- Red wine.
- Smoking.
- Chewing tobacco.
FAQs
But unless you remove it with proper oral hygiene, plaque can harden into tartar. Unlike plaque, you can't remove tartar with brushing and flossing. A dentist or dental hygienist must remove it during a professional dental cleaning. Another name for tartar is dental calculus.
Is plaque actually good for your teeth? ›
Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. It's normal to produce plaque. But if you don't remove plaque with routine dental cleanings and daily brushing and flossing, it can cause cavities, gum disease and other oral health issues.
Does Listerine remove plaque? ›
When compared with water, LISTERINE® Antiseptic reduced dental plaque by 22.2% and gingivitis by 28.2% at 6 months. When compared with vehicle, LISTERINE® Antiseptic reduced dental plaque by 20.8% and gingivitis by 27.7% at 6 months, respectively.
Why do I get plaque even though I brush? ›
Regardless of how hard you floss or brush, bacteria will inevitably increase in your mouth. They cling to food particles in your mouth, leading to the build of a yellow-pale deposit known as dental plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that forms under the gumline and on the surface of your teeth.
Does hydrogen peroxide remove hardened plaque? ›
No, hydrogen peroxide doesn't dissolve tartar, but it can help remove the plaque that hardens into tartar.
Can I scrape plaque off my own teeth? ›
Although plaque scrapers can be purchased in some stores and online, it's not a good idea to use them yourself. Because plaque scrapers are sharp, improper use can damage the delicate gum tissue. Trauma to the gum tissue isn't just painful, it can also cause receding gums, exposing the sensitive roots of the teeth.
How does vinegar remove plaque? ›
This is because vinegar is highly acidic; in addition to dissolving teeth stains and tartar, it also chelates tooth minerals such as Calcium and Phosphorous – the building blocks of our teeth and bones.
How to remove tartar from teeth without a dentist? ›
The acetic acid in white vinegar has antibacterial properties and promotes demineralization of tooth enamel, making it effective in removing tartar and plaque. Add half a teaspoon of salt to half a cup of water and add two teaspoons of white vinegar to it. Stir it well and gargle the mixture twice a day.
Does baking soda remove tartar? ›
Baking soda can prevent and treat tartar buildup on your teeth. Also called sodium bicarbonate, it helps by softening tartar. It also balances the acids in your mouth that create plaque and stop it from turning into tartar. As it is mildly abrasive, it's an effective option to scrub away stains and whiten your teeth.
What is the white stringy stuff in my mouth when I wake up? ›
If you wake up every morning and are met with a strange, white film coating the inside of your mouth, you might be wondering what could possibly be causing this to happen. This sticky, disgusting layer of film is called oral thrush, and it's normal to want to rid your mouth of the foul substance as quickly as possible!
Brushing with baking soda can safely and effectively remove plaque. While still abrasive, baking soda toothpaste is not as hard as the enamel that makes up teeth and can remove plaque without damaging the enamel.
What is the best toothpaste for removing plaque? ›
Choose an anti-plaque fluoride toothpaste like Crest® PRO-HEALTH Advanced Toothpaste. Make sure to floss daily with a product like Oral-B Glide Deep Clean or Oral-B Glide Comfort Plus. Pair it with an Oral-B Water Flosser to further remove food particles and plaque between teeth.
Can hardened plaque break off teeth? ›
As surprising as it is, tartar can actually break off your teeth quite easily. Even though it is strong, it is not prone to chipping away. Sometimes, eating too many hard foods, brushing your teeth aggressively, or even flossing with an improper technique can trigger the breakage.
Can hardened plaque be removed from arteries? ›
Atherectomy is a peripheral intervention that opens arteries blocked by plaque. During atherectomy, your provider uses a catheter (a long, narrow tube) with a sharp blade, laser or rotating device on the end to scrape away, dissolve or break up plaque without making a large incision.
What to do when plaque hardens? ›
Most plaque hardens within 48 hours of formation, and within several days it will become so hard that it is almost impossible to remove. This hard substance is tartar and the only way to remove it is to see your dentist for a professional scraping of your teeth.
How to remove calcium deposits on teeth at home? ›
Brushing and flossing alone can't remove these deposits, so dentists employ procedures like scaling and polishing to remove them. Preventing tartar involves proper brushing, daily flossing, regular dental check-ups, and limiting sweet snacks.
