Oral Plaque Information

Oral plaque forms inside of the mouth. It is caused by a bacteria build up of film and debris from food. After someone eats, the bacteria that remains in the mouth releases acids that lead to forming the sticky solution most people refer to as plaque. Plaque buildup can sometimes be felt on the teeth with the tongue, but in its early stages it may not be seen or felt.

Tooth Decay

One of the most profound effects that oral plaque has in the mouth is that it leads to tooth decay. Tooth decay is caused by excessive plaque buildup in and around the teeth or a particular tooth. Often times the back molars are affected by tooth decay because they are difficult for someone to reach when cleaning. The plaque begins to eat away at the tooth and it can crumble and obtain a cavity. At this point, the tooth will have to be filled by a dentist to prevent further decay. For people who do not receive yearly dental care and allow the tooth decay to overtake their mouth, they could lose their teeth to excessive decay or gum disease.

Discoloration

Aside of leaving a hard film on the teeth, oral plaque can also lead to discoloration. This is caused by the buildup of oral plaque on the teeth. The plaque can also act like a sponge and absorb the food or other debris making it adhere and stick to the teeth. It can also build up in color at the edges or grooves of where the gums meet the teeth. Generally, most plaque residue is yellow to a very light brown but in some cases it can be no color at all. The areas that have more plaque may have more discoloration than other areas in the mouth.

Prevention

There are several ways to prevent the spread of oral plaque inside the mouth. The first is brushing after every meal and snack. This is the only way to really remove food debris after eating. Some people choose to carry a toothbrush with them at all times. Flossing twice or more a day is also recommended. Making sure to get in behind every tooth and remove food debris is the only way to prevent large scale buildup. Mouthwash that kills germs and bacteria is also recommended.

Removal

While toothbrushing and flossing are great preventative measures at fighting oral plaque; the dentist has the tools to help remove most plaque. A mouth mirror and periodontal probe will help the hygienist manually remove as much plaque as possible. A sonicare plaque remover and buffer will also help with prying away tough plaque that has cemented itself to the teeth. Visiting the dentist once a year and the dental hygienist every six months will assist in plaque removal and will help prevent cavities and tooth decay from occurring.

Effects

Aside of tooth decay and discoloration, there are other effects from oral plaque. If left untreated over time they can cause tooth loss, pain and bad or foul breath. Any tooth that begins to rot can cause odor. Teeth that are loose or infected due to gum disease initially caused by too much oral plaque buildup can lead to widespread infection that can spread throughout the mouth and cause swelling and pain. This is considered a dental emergency and treatment should be sought out immediately.

Dr. Susan Kinder Haake, Microbiology of Dental Plaque, UCLA School of Dentistry
Colgate-Palmolive Company, Plaque-What it is and how to get rid of it
American Dental Association, Plaque