subject: Avoiding Dental Plaque And Tooth Decay [print this page] The human mouth is literally an ecological niche of its own. Millions of microorganisms find refuge in the mouth. Even if you brush your teeth and gargle everyday, only a small percentage of the mouth flora are eradicated. Well, this is good news considering the fact that many bacteria species in the mouth have evolved symbiotically with humans.
Without these bacteria, we will be prone to infections, cancer and other diseases. The bacteria in the mouth have positive functions when it comes to our health. However, bad diet and bad hygiene can result to biotic imbalance and undesirable consequence such as dental plaque.
Dental plaque is actually a biofilm bacterial colony that is physically attached to the teeth. It is usually yellowish in color and can usually found in the margins of gums and teeth. Aside from the unsightly appearance, dental plaques eventually lead to tooth decay.
This is because of the acidic byproducts of bacterial metabolism. The bacteria convert the carbohydrates in food into acid that gradually dissolves the mineral structure of the teeth. If not remedied, this can result in the loss of tooth and other problems such as gingivitis.
These problems can be prevented by regular brushing of teeth, gargling mouthwash and flossing. In its early stage of formation, dental plaques can be easily removed but mineralization can start to enclose the plaques. They become tartars or calculi, which are calcified plaques. These are harder to remove and will require the intervention of a dentist.
A dentist may perform debridement (removal of tartar) using ultrasonic instruments, periodontal scaler and curettes. By bombarding the tartar with ultrasonic waves, they will fracture in the process. This allows for the easier removal using the periodontal scaler and curettes. The dentist may also need to polish the teeth and apply some protective coating to prevent the teeth from further deterioration.
For badly damaged teeth, adding veneer, bridges or crowns might be necessary. In extreme cases when the teeth cannot anymore be saved, the teeth will need to be pulled out.
Simple preventive measures can save teeth from dental plaques and decay. Aside from regular cleaning and visits to the dentist, eating the right food will also help a lot. Avoiding or at least minimizing sweets such as cakes, ice creams, candies and doughnuts is a good step. Eating fruits, vegetables and dairy products can also help.
It must be remembered that just like other parts of the body, the teeth requires appropriate nutrients and proper hygiene to maintain their health.
