How To Get Rid Of Plaque On Teeth - Top Tips For a Healthy Smile

Previously, many people thought that you lost your teeth as you got older! Of course, this is not the case, there are lots of things you can do to keep your teeth pearly white right into old age, including removing plaque. We're going to take a look at how to get rid of plaque, and why it is important to do that.

As you may know, one of the biggest dangers to your dental health, is plaque. There are different types of plaque, but all of them are bad news. Some types cause tooth decay, and some can cause gum disease.

So What Exactly Is Plaque, Anyway?

Plaque is a build up of harmful germs which live inside your mouth, and eventually get stuck to your teeth.

When you eat things like candy bars, the residue from these sweet foods provides nutrients and food to the germs in your mouth. That's right; sweets are bad for your health, but the harmful germs in your mouth actually grown strong on them. Yes, life just isn't fair!

Removing Plaque Through Proper Brushing

Having the correct brushing routine is vital in ensuring the removal of plaque before it becomes an issue.

1) Floss: Flossing removes food particles, and germs from in-between the teeth. This is an important step, as toothbrushes simply can't get in-between the teeth like dental floss can. If you only floss once daily, make sure you do it before going to bed.

2) Rinse: This is a crucial step that a lot of people miss completely. Flossing and brushing may remove food particles and plaque from the teeth, but they can still get caught inside your mouth. You need to rinse well with clean water, rinsing it around your mouth and in-between your teeth before spitting it out again. This will get any stray particles out of your mouth, and remove the food source that those disgusting germs are feasting on!

3) Brush teeth: Small circular motions and short back-and-forth motions work brilliantly for brushing the teeth. Have caution! Don't be too rough, as this can wear down the enamel coating which protects your teeth.

4) Rinse (again)!

Brush the tongue and roof of the mouth: This removes any remaining food particles from these areas, and leaves the mouth feeling fresh.

5) Rinse (yes, again)!

You Need To Visit Your Dentist

Even with a healthy brushing routine and even if you are carefully removing plaque, you have to visit your dentist. Regular check ups will help to catch any problems early, and stop them. It's best to catch and prevent any problems early, not simply letting them grow into something that your dentist can not treat.

You should check with your dentist how often you should go. Depending on the healthiness of your mouth, this can vary between 6 months to 2 years.

Other Options To Consider

1) Chew sugar-free gum: When you chew, saliva is produced into your mouth. Saliva is the body's natural defence, and helps to neutralise plaque acid. Consider chewing sugar-free gum after meals.

2) Chew disclosing tablets: Plaque is often very difficult to see, so how can you tell if you're really getting rid of it? An easy way is to use disclosing tablets. These are tablets which you chew, and which give the plaque on your teeth a red colour so that you can easily see where to brush. If you know where the plaque is lingering, it's easier to target and remove. Disclosing tablets are very useful in removing plaque.

3) Use dental picks: A dental pick is a small stick which you can use to remove food particles from between the teeth. A lot of people find these a lot easier to use than dental floss.

4) Get an electric or sonic toothbrush: Many dentists now recommend the use of an electric toothbrush, and indeed clinical trials by manufacturers have shown that sonic toothbrushes in particular are very good in removing plaque. In fact, they have been shown to remove twice as much plaque as a normal manual brush. Advanced sonic brushes can also give you feedback about the pressure you should apply when you brush; giving your teeth a balanced clean.

5) Get a UV sanitizer for your toothbrushes: A UV sanitizer uses UV light to kill 99.9% of germs that are left on your toothbrush, in-between uses. The less germs on your brush, the less plaque-causing germs go into your mouth at brushing time. Some advanced electric toothbrushes come with a UV sanitizer.

No excuses

It doesn't take a brain surgeon! We should all be doing some (if not all) of the above things and regularly saying goodbye to plaque. There are no excuses; next time you visit the dentist, make sure your mouth is clean, and plaque-free!

Check out our in-depth reviews of the newest electric toothbrushes at our Electric Toothbrush Reviews website. Find ratings and customer opinions on lots of electric and sonic toothbrushes such as the popular Braun Oral-B Triumph 5000. We also reveal where to purchase electric toothbrushes for as much as 60% off.

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