What is dental plaque and calculus?

Dental plaque is a sticky film containing bacteria (also known as biofilm), which continuously forms on and around your teeth. Plaque is formed when bacteria in your saliva mixes with foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches). When the bacteria in plaque breakdown these dietary carbohydrates, they produce acids which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease [1] [2].

If plaque is not removed from your teeth, it can eventually harden to produce calculus (tartar). Calculus cannot easily be removed by normal oral hygiene practices done from home and usually it needs professional removal by a dentist or dental hygienist.

What does dental plaque look like?

Normally plaque can be difficult to see because it is colourless, once plaque hardens to form calculus it tends to appear slightly darker with a yellowish colour.

How to identify dental plaque?

Plaque disclosing agents are one of the best ways to help identify where dental plaque is building up, which can be used by both dental professionals and at-home. Plaque disclosing agents contain coloured dyes that bind to dental plaque making it easier to see and are available in various formats including tablets, solutions and mouthwashes. Check out our detailed article on plaque disclosing for more details.

What problems can dental plaque cause?

Tooth decay and gum disease are the primary causes of dental pain and tooth loss. They primarily manifest from the build-up of plaque on your teeth over time. [3]

Cavities and Tooth Decay

The acids produced by the bacteria in dental plaque can damage the hard outer coating of your teeth (enamel), causing small holes to form (caries) over time. Once cavities have formed in the enamel, the plaque and bacteria can then reach the softer part of the tooth underneath (dentine). This makes the removal of plaque increasingly difficult, accelerating the process of tooth decay. Unless treated, the bacteria can then enter the soft centre of the tooth (pulp), causing pain and discomfort as the pulp contains nerves and blood vessels [4].

Gum disease

When plaque builds-up along and under your gum line, it can cause gum inflammation, redness, soreness and make your gums more prone to bleeding. This problem is known as gingivitis (mild gum disease) and can often be fixed by brushing and flossing every day. If gingivitis remains untreated, periodontitis (later stage gum disease) can develop. Periodontitis must be treated by a dental professional and if left untreated it can cause damage to the jaw bone, painful gum abscesses, receding gums, and even tooth loss [5].

How to reduce dental plaque?

Plaque does like to stick to your teeth and impair your oral health, but there are plenty of ways of reducing plaque accumulation. Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to removing the plaque that builds up on the surfaces of your teeth. Some of the ways you can improve your oral hygiene include:

Brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste

Brush teeth for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush (manual or electric) and fluoride toothpaste twice a day. A systematic approach to brushing, starting at one side, and working around to the other can help to ensure you don’t miss any areas of your mouth, including the tongue.

Clean between your teeth daily

Remember to remove the plaque that can build-up between your teeth. Interdental brushes and floss are some of the best ways to keep these hard-to-reach areas of your mouth plaque free.

Use Mouthwash

Mouthwash can help kill bacteria in your mouth and freshen your breath. However, avoid using mouthwash straight after brushing your teeth or it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth.

Limit Sugary and Starchy Foods and Drinks

Limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks, as these can contribute to the formation of plaque. Eating a balanced diet and limiting the number of between-meal snacks can help to reduce plaque build-up.

Regular Dental Check-ups

Sometimes these techniques alone may not be enough to effectively reduce your dental plaque. Regular appointments with your dentist and dental hygienist are necessary to help professionally remove tartar and provide suggestions to improve your dental cleaning technique [6].

Disclaimer:

This article is intended to provide general information about oral health topics and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Sources

[1] P. D. Marsh, “Dental plaque as a biofilm and a microbial community - implications for health and disease,” BMC Oral Health, 2006.

[2] A. M. A. D. R. E. F. M. C. M. D. R. M Marotta, “Degradation of dental plaque glucans and prevention of glucan formation using commercial enzymes,” Process Biochemistry, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 101-108, 2002.

[3] World Health Organisation, “Oral Health,” [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health. [Accessed 7 March 2021].

[4] N. F. Trust, “Tooth plaque,” [Online]. Available: https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/conditions-and-treatments/general-medical-conditions/tooth-plaque/.

[5] N. I. o. A. (NIA), “Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth,” [Online]. Available: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/taking-care-your-teeth-and-mouth.

[6] WebMD, “Plaque and Your Teeth,” [Online]. Available: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/plaque-and-your-teeth.