Plaque: How To Get Rid Of It To Improve Oral Health
Plaque is the accumulation of food residues on the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth. This oral disorder can cause bad breath and develop other types of problems, such as tartar, which is plaque deposits that harden and calcify on the teeth causing bleeding and halitosis.
While there is no definitive solution to prevent the development of dental plaque , you can follow a series of home treatments to decrease the build-up of this residue in the mouth.
First, the best thing you can do is change the way you brush your teeth. Most people rub their toothbrush horizontally, from left to right, but are unaware that this can increase tooth sensitivity and the risk of malocclusion problems.
Brush your teeth vertically, first the top and then the bottom, in a circular fashion. Finish cleaning your teeth by flossing to remove any residue found in the interdental spaces that are not easily accessible with the toothbrush.
Once finished, rinse your mouth with mouthwash and remember to always dry your toothbrush after washing it from food or toothpaste residues.
Note: Change your toothbrush at least four times a year and use a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
Change your diet
Following a healthy and balanced diet is very important in order to strengthen the health of the teeth. Try to avoid the consumption of sugars and carbohydrates, do not drink carbonated or dark drinks and if you do, use a straw in order to avoid direct contact with the teeth.
Do not consume too many foods based on flours and binders or brush your teeth immediately after eating them to avoid diseases or bacterial infections.
How to prevent plaque and improve mouth health and hygiene?
Home remedies are sometimes quite effective when it comes to fighting ailments such as dental plaque, but it is very important not to overdo it to avoid compromising the good health of the teeth.
Some of the home remedies to fight plaque and improve the health of the teeth and mouth are:
Chewing gum prevents plaque build-up
For some people, chewing gum is of no help, but recent studies show that sugar-free chewing gum helps reduce plaque production on the teeth.
It is sufficient to chew a gum after each meal to free the teeth from food residues which will then be eliminated completely and more easily thanks to the toothbrush.
Baking soda
When you need to brush your teeth, add a little baking soda to the toothpaste (very little). Baking soda dissolves any residue that settles on your teeth and also helps whiten them significantly.
You can do this remedy once every two weeks before going to sleep, but remember not to overdo the amount of bicarbonate as well as the frequency of application; otherwise you will get the opposite effect.
The lemon
Lemon juice is perfect for fighting plaque and dental tartar. The acidity of lemon has abrasive properties that cleanse the mouth deeply. Lemon juice also brightens the teeth, eliminates bad breath and helps whiten teeth.
It is enough to do this remedy once a week to decrease plaque buildup. Being careful not to overdo it because it could also affect the health of the teeth.
Do not forget…
There are very few methods and home remedies to clean, whiten teeth and avoid diseases that can compromise oral health. The best thing you can do to have healthy teeth is to make an appointment with your dental hygienist every six months.
There is nothing better than a professional teeth cleaning to completely eliminate annoying and sometimes dangerous ailments such as plaque.
