Plaque is the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms on teeth. It makes teeth “feel fuzzy” to the tongue and is most noticeable when teeth are not brushed.
What Causes Plaque and Why Is It Harmful?
Plaque develops when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches), such as milk, soft drinks, raisins, cakes, or candy are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay dental handpiece. Plaque can also develop on the tooth roots under the gum and cause breakdown of the bone supporting the tooth.
How Can Plaque Formation Be Prevented?
To prevent plaque buildup, brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft, rounded-tip bristled toothbrush. Pay particular attention to the space where the gums and teeth meet. Use a fluoride-containing toothpaste.
Floss between teeth at least once a day to remove food particles and bacteria dental curing light.
Use an antibacterial mouth rinse to reduce bacteria that cause plaque and gum disease.
See your dentist or oral hygienist every 6 months for a check-up and teeth cleaning.
Ask your dentist if a dental sealant is appropriate for you. Dental sealants are a thin, plastic coating that are painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth to protect them from cavities and decay.
Eat a balanced diet and limit the number of between-meal snacks. If you need a snack, choose nutritious foods such as plain yogurt, cheese, fruit, or raw vegetables. Vegetables, such as celery, help remove food and help saliva neutralize plaque-causing acids.
What Is an Abscessed Tooth?
An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around the root of an infected tooth. Anyone, from children to the elderly, can get one.
If you have one, it won’t get better on its own. You need treatment from a dentist or endodontist — a specialist who can help save your tooth. If you don’t treat it, the infection can spread beyond your jaw to your neck, head, or other body parts.
What Causes It?5 Health Problems With Surprising Dental Causes? for more information.
Your tooth is hard on the outside, but the inside is filled with a pulp made up of nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. Sometimes it gets infected. Most often that results from:
A deep cavity or tooth decay
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease
A cracked tooth
If you don’t treat the infection, it can kill the pulp and lead to an abscess. There are two common types:
A periapical abscess forms at the tip of your tooth’s root.
A periodontal abscess affects the bone next to your tooth.
You can get more than one abscess. Or one abscess can travel through the bone and show up in several spots. But each is related to only one tooth. micro motor