Poor dental hygiene leads to the formation of plaque. Plaque is essentially a thin slimy layer of bacteria that sticks on your teeth and it causes decay and gum disease. It is generally invisible to see but you can sometimes feel it on your teeth, sometimes as a fuzzy feeling. Here are some easy ways you can avoid plaque build up in your mouth and therefore, a host of nasty health issues.
Practice good oral hygienee
To avoid plaque formation you need to clean your teeth thoroughly twice a day. If you miss certain areas or skim through them quickly, it is an ideal area for plaque to build up. We normally recommend brushing for 2-4minutes twice a day, along with the use of mouthwash (at a different time to brushing) and using interproximal brushes at least once a day.
Quit or reduce smoking
Smoking can lead to dry mouth. Saliva has the very important job of washing away bacteria and neutralising harmful acids and some bacteria. Without it, the incidence of gum disease and tooth decay goes up dramatically! The less you smoke, the better.
Avoid sugary foods and drinks
Sugary foods and drinks are the worst kind of food for your teeth and it not only leads to plaque formation, but it provides energy and nutrients to the bacteria that are already there so they can multiply to form bigger colonies. Sticky sugary foods are generally the worst and it includes snacks that you may not even realise like raisins and dried fruits!
Limit alcohol
Limiting those naughty glasses of wine in the evenings can really make a difference. Wine and other alcoholic drinks contain loads of sugar, so be aware that prolonged episodes of drinking will cause damage to your teeth. When people consume alcohol, they usually drink small sips over a prolonged period when compared to normal drinks. The longer this time span is, the more damage you are doing to your teeth.
It is important to follow the advice of your dentist. If you have any questions you would like to ask please call our friendly reception team and we would be happy to help.
