How Bacterial Plaque Causes Gum Disease And Tooth Decay

It would possibly marvel you to study that it is estimated that your mouth is host to over 300 distinctive forms of bacteria. Indeed, it’s far normal for them to be there. However, some of that bacteria is responsible for tooth decay or gum ailment.

However, this isn’t always proper because even small portions of microorganisms can motivate your gums to become indignant if the particles can build up and form a layer of plaque. In addition, it could cause bleeding gums or gum swelling, which ends from gingivitis or periodontitis, and lack of teeth.

Tooth Decay And Bacterial Plaque: What is the Connection?

How exactly does this plaque contribute to tooth decay? Sugars in the food and the beverages you take are broken down by bacteria in plaque into acid.

If the plaque has an opportunity to build upon the teeth, the bacteria multiply and release a great deal of this acid, which begins to erode the outer surface of the teeth or tooth enamel. This marks the start of tooth decay.

Most acid production happens after you have eaten your food, especially during the day. That means plaque build-up starts within a few minutes every time you eat a meal or snack.

Bacterial Plaque

According to the American Dental Association, if bacterial plaque remains on the tooth for a prolonged duration, it begins to use the meals and drinks you devour to produce acid. The reality that plaque has sticky traits continues the acid at the tooth’s surface long enough to penetrate past the tooth layer.

As mentioned by the National Institute of Health, seventy percent of the acid stays in the mouth after meals, and it only takes 20 minutes for the teeth to be exposed to plaque formation each time you take a meal.

What Causes Bacterial Plaque?

You have millions of germs inside your mouth; one of the worst is plaque formation. These small bacterial communities feed on sugars you take in your diet; hence, they grow when fed. Brushing the teeth twice daily and flossing could usually ensure that bacterial accumulation is dealt with before forming a layer on the teeth.

But plaque can quickly snowball if you don’t do this properly often enough or if your diet is very high in sugar. Other causes of plaque include smoking or chewing tobacco, radiation therapy in the past, or the presence of a condition known as xerostomia, which is a dry mouth.

Tartar Buildup and Gum Disease

Bacterial acids that erode the outer layer of teeth can also shield the bone and gums that support your teeth from infection. When you fail to smooth off all bacterial films in your tooth, they calcify to form tartar.

Gingivitis, the first level of gum sickness, might also present symptoms along with redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums because of plaque deposits alongside the gum line and surrounding enamel.

If plaque and tartar are not removed from the gum line and underneath them, bacterial pollutants can affect the bone and ligaments protecting the enamel in place and cause periodontitis, the later segment of gum diseases.

Weak Tooth Enamel

Cracks at the gum line and unsupported crowns are at greater risk of bacterial acids to your mouth, weakening the enamel teeth and leading to decay. To boost and defend your enamel, use fluoride-formulated toothpaste often. Also, consult your dentist about fluoride options, including mouth rinses, supplements, or fluoride- more suitable water- to reinforce your tooth and keep the most desirable oral fitness.

How to Care for Your Teeth?

Toothbrushing
Neglecting private oral care can cause gum disorders, so the right brushing conduct is vital. Plaque and tartar gather quickly if no longer brushed away, so brushing your enamel with a gentle-bristled toothbrush at least two times daily is important. You should take special care of the gum line, wherein tartar often forms.

Additionally, update your toothbrush often, as tired or frayed brushes are much less effective at cleaning and maybe a breeding floor for mold and microorganisms, contributing to oral fitness issues.

Flossing
Flossing is suggested as soon as a day since your toothbrush can not easily handle all of the food and germs caught between the gums.

Since plaque accumulates in these areas and turns into tartar, flossing helps avoid plaque growth that causes tooth decay or gum disease. Flossing should be done before going to bed as the mouth has fewer germs during this time, but it is also advisable if one prefers flossing in the morning.

Professional Cleaning
A toothbrush cannot take off plaque that turns into tartar. So, other cleanings by your dentist or dental hygienist are needed to remove the build-up of plaque and tartar on your teeth or under your gum line before they cause gums to become diseased.

The prevention visits mean that your dentist can diagnose and treat any existing cavity or gum issue during the early stages when cavities and severe gum diseases have not yet started to develop.

Bacterial plaque is the villain when it comes to dental disease. But don’t let plaque triumph over you or let this thing fully control your life. Avoid the typical offenders and learn how to kick bacterial plaque to the curb with the help of preventative actions that should be taken daily.

Conclusion

Despite our best efforts, some areas in our mouth can always be untouched, and discoloration or black spots can be unaddressed. Regular visits to a professional dentist like Elgin Dentist TX are essential to ensure thorough cleaning and early detection of any issues. Dental care should not be a one-time effort but a consistent practice to establish healthy habits and maintain good oral health throughout their lives.