The Dentist From a Child' Point of View

Top Ways To Reduce The Amount Of Plaque On Your Teeth

Plaque is something that will destroy your teeth if you do not remove it quickly, and you can often tell if you have plaque on your teeth simply by rubbing your tongue against them. If you feel a coating on your teeth, or if they feel dirty, you are likely feeling plaque. Plaque can turn into cavities if left on your teeth, but there are ways you can keep your teeth free of plaque.

Brush more frequently and for the right amount of time

Most people brush their teeth daily, but do you brush your teeth as often as you should? Brushing twice each day is typically enough; however, if you eat a lot of white bread, sugary snacks, or highly-acid foods, you may want to brush more often than this. Brushing your teeth is the best method you can do at home to keep the plaque away, but you need to make sure you are brushing for the right length of time. 

If necessary, set a timer for this and brush for two full minutes. You do not have to be aggressive when brushing, but you should be firm with your toothbrush. You should also make sure you are reaching every area inside your mouth, focusing a lot on the gum lines.

Keep your mouth hydrated

Secondly, you can reduce the amount of plaque on your teeth by staying hydrated. Your mouth produces saliva for this purpose, but the amount of saliva you have in your mouth is probably not enough. You should drink water to supplement this, especially after you eat if you cannot brush your teeth right away. After eating, your mouth will have bits of food in it, and your saliva helps wash these away. Drinking water will help flush them out of your mouth even more, and this is one of the best ways to eliminate bacteria from your mouth.

If you experience dry mouth symptoms at all, drinking enough water will be even more important for you, simply because you definitely will not have enough saliva in your mouth to clean it.

If you follow these tips, you are likely to have healthier teeth, and you will also have a decreased risk of developing cavities. Going to a dental clinic for a professional cleaning is also a great way to keep your teeth healthy, and you should do this every six months. If it has been longer than that, contact a dental clinic to schedule an appointment for a teeth cleaning.


Share