Healthy Living Tips

8 Habits That Cause Plaque On Your Teeth

Habits That Cause Plaque on Your Teeth

Plaque on Your Teeth – Plaque is a collection of bacteria, in the form of a thin layer, which if not removed can cause cavities. Bacteria present in mouth are kept under control by brushing and cleaning and also by saliva which is secreted regularly.

Improper cleaning and hygiene lead to the rapid growth of bacteria which forms a layer over teeth.

This layer is thin and fragile in the beginning and can be removed easily, but if this is not removed it keeps on becoming thicker and stronger and regularly secretes acids that attack the enamel of teeth.

Regular acid attacks weaken and breakdown enamel of teeth which allows acid to dig a cavity in the tooth.

When bacteria enter into the tooth and proliferate inside it, it cannot be removed by simple measures and the person needs a doctor’s assistance. If plaque deposition is close to gum lining it can cause gum diseases as well.

Apart from proper hygiene eating habits also contribute to causing plaque. Foods that are sugary and sticky in nature are major contributors in causing plaque, these foods get stick to teeth, lining of gums and spaces between teeth and feed bacteria present in the mouth.

Eating habits and practices to maintain proper hygiene work as effective measures to prevent plaque formation, here are few habits that cause plaque on your teeth and shall be avoided to keep dentures healthy.

Habits That Cause Plaque on Your Teeth

Brushing

Most often people ignore the importance of proper brushing in the rush. People either brush in a hurry or do not brush properly covering the entire mouth which allows bacteria to hide and breed.

One should brush teeth twice in a day and before going to sleep necessarily. Food particles sticking over teeth or between teeth are food sources for bacteria; it feeds on them and converts these food particles into acids to damage enamel.

If a person does not brush before going to sleep, bacteria get ample time at night to feed on these food particles and cause damage. Improper brushing is one of the habits that cause plaque on your teeth.

Flossing

There are spaces between teeth, foods, and drinks that get accumulated in these spaces and cannot be removed by toothbrush as its bristles are unable to reach between these spaces.

Flossing is very necessary to wipe-out the food particles stuck in these spaces and prevent the growth of bacteria. Not flossing regularly is one of the poor habits that cause plaque on your teeth.

Mouthwash

This is another one of the commonly found habits that cause plaque on your teeth. Brushing and flossing are a necessary part of maintaining oral hygiene but not using proper antiseptic mouthwash can jeopardize these efforts.

Brushing and flossing have limitations and there are certain areas in the mouth that are inaccessible by these methods, proper mouthwash not only gives fresh breath but reaches each and every corner of the mouth and reduces bacterial presence.

Not using mouthwash is one of the poor habits that cause plaque on your teeth.

Using Teeth as Tool

This is a commonly found habit where people use their teeth to open, pull or cut things. These kinds of activities harm and damage enamel of teeth which protects it from bacteria and other harmful agents.

Using teeth as a tool is one of the bad habits that cause plaque on your teeth as it exposes teeth to bacteria and allows it to grow and form a layer over the tooth.

This habit is also harmful for gums and loosens their grip over teeth forming a gap, this gap is a favorable place for bacteria to hide and breed and form plaque.

Brushing too Hard

If one uses a toothbrush with hard bristles or puts extra pressure over toothbrush while brushing, it can damage the enamel.

One should use a toothbrush with soft bristles and apply gentle pressure while brushing, this allows proper cleaning and bristles can reach spaces between teeth as well.

Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with hard bristles is another one of the commonly found bad habits that cause plaque on your teeth.

Too Much Soda

Drinking lemonades, beverages and other drinks that contain soda are another one of the poor habits that cause plaque on your teeth.

These drinks cause acid build-up in the stomach and change the mouth’s PH balance which allows bacteria to grow and corrosion of enamel in the long run.

Frequent Snacking

Even if one brush and flosses regularly frequent eating will always keep mouth unclean.

The presence of chewed food in the mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria and also releases acids that damage enamel. Frequent snacking is one of the bad habits that cause plaque on your teeth.

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Unclean Tongue

One must not ignore hygiene of tongue if they want to stay away from oral problems. While brushing use a proper tongue cleaner to clean the tongue and remove traces of foods and drinks sticking over it.

An unclean tongue can make dentures unclean and allow the formation of plaque. Improper tongue cleaning is another one of the commonly found bad habits that cause plaque build-up on your teeth.

These habits can lead to worse conditions and can affect the strength of the teeth. The regular decaying can decrease the calcium content from teeth. This will lead to further damaging because of calcium deficiency in teeth.

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