Plaque is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of oral care. When you don’t know that much about plaque, you may not focus enough energy on doing what you can to make sure that you keep your oral health in top shape, thus reducing the chances that plaque will build up.
Basically, plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on the teeth. It will generally be clear and can be incredibly sticky, which means that it can be incredibly difficult to remove from your teeth.
As the plaque forms on your teeth, it will become thicker and lead to tartar, more often in those hard to reach areas of your teeth.
Irritant
Plaque contains bacteria that can irritate gums and can actually affect the bone that underlies the teeth. This is what eventually becomes known as gum disease. Research that has been conducted recently has found that gum disease can actually lead to other illnesses and ailments, including heart attacks, strokes, and even pneumonia. It can even cause some pregnancy issues as well.
Ways to combat plaque
The best way to beat back plaque is to brush at least twice a day. You should also get into the habit of flossing regularly. Brush for at least two minutes and focus on those hard to reach areas (those areas of your teeth that you don’t pay enough attention to).
Rinse with mouthwash after you’ve brushed and flossed.
Also visit your dentist for a regular cleaning and checkup twice a year; they can remove the tartar that has built up during that time.