It is a sticky film of soft film made by the mixture of bacteria with food particles, especially those containing sugar or starch, and it forms on the teeth. If it’s left not clean, plaque, over time may cause cavities, gum disease and even worse bad breath. It continues to accumulate hardening into tartar, which will need professional dental cleaning to get rid off. It has to be removed early enough to prevent long-term problems in dental health.
How Plaque Forms
Plaque is created by the bacteria in your mouth feeding on available sugar particles, especially carbohydrates. These acids, which the bacteria produces, will lead to erosion on the teeth enamel as a result of dental erosion. Plaque can occur even after just hours of consuming food and drinks, so establishing a regular oral care routine on a daily basis is quite essential. The soft plaque is easy to remove by brushing and flossing; however, it may harden into tartar if not removed promptly, therefore making the more damaging problems when it comes to oral health.
Role of Plaque in Tooth Sensitivity
The main cause of the sensitivity of a tooth is the plaque. Plaque will begin dissolving the enamel layer, also called a hard protective layer around a tooth, if it is not removed from the tooth surface properly. At this point, once the enamel has been dissolved, the dentine structure underneath gets exposed. Dentine is a tissue that comes under enamel and is more sensitive to stimuli, primarily hot, cold, or sweet foods. In many cases, this sensitivity acts as an early warning of much more serious conditions in the mouth, that is, cavities and gum diseases. The further damage which plaque buildup can cause will be best prevented, and there is a greater chance that proper dental health will be maintained before these major conditions take place.
Relationship of Plaque to Periodontal Disease
Plaque affects not only the teeth but also the gums. There is irritation and inflammation resulting from the accumulation of plaque along the gumline, and that begins with gingivitis. If it does not come up in time, it may be periodontitis, wherein the gums begin pulling away, and the bones which hold the teeth weaken. Thus, good oral hygiene, along with periodic check-ups by a dentist, may prevent gum disease.
Typically, tooth pain begins to develop as an uncleaned deposit of plaque contributes toward significant dental diseases such as cavities and gum disease. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that develops into tartar by accumulating unless removed daily by brushing and flossing. As this plaque continues to build up, it allows bacteria to reach further into the tooth and gums and later creates infections. This can easily result in sharp or persistent pain, which cannot be alleviated without dental treatments.
Preventive measures for the prevention of tooth pain start with the practice of good oral hygiene – that involves brushing and flossing daily, having regular checkups with a dentist, and more.
Early intervention is the best way to avoid toothaches that reach the innermost layers of the tooth because once the bacteria reach those layers, it may be much harder to deal with, requiring fillings, root canals, or even extractions. The best way to prevent such painful outcomes is to be actively involved in an oral care practice that cares enough to remove plaque before it becomes tartar.
Routine visits to the dentist, therefore, are a significant key to keeping your teeth healthy and free of plaque-related problems. Your dentist will be able to point out plaque in parts of the mouth that are not readily accessible for removal by you; therefore, your teeth and gums will remain healthy and pain-free from conditions associated with advanced dental issues.
