The development of plaque layer on the teeth surface is the initial stage of teeth getting decayed. Over a period, the plaque layer gets more hardened and becomes tartar which is more difficult to remove for the dentist.

It finally goes to the stage of tooth decay. Poor oral hygiene is one of the main reasons for the plaque layer development on the teeth. We will be looking into more detail about the plaque layer on the teeth.

What is plaque?

Plaque is a thin sticky bacteria layer developing on the teeth surface that further hardens if not cleaned. It is important to clean the plaque with proper dental treatment or other ways, else it will become tartar that is very difficult to remove.

What treatment removes the plaque layer?

Plaque layer can be treated with the help of dental treatment. 

Some of the dental treatment to clean plaque are:

Root Scaling

Plaque development if not treated soon, then it gets thickening over a period. Here, a dental cleaning technique is used where the plaque is cleaned by the dentist with proper treatment. 

Scraping

Scraping is another technique used by the dentist to clean the plaque layer from the teeth surface. Here, the dentist will use specific dental tools for the removal of the tartar from the teeth.

Applying sealants

Plaque layer development on teeth is natural and it is difficult to avoid it altogether. However, with dental treatment of sealants applied on the teeth, you can protect the plaque layer development on the teeth surface. 

These dental sealants are made majorly of the resin material that protects the teeth.

Are there any non-dental treatment methods for plaque removal?

There are some remedies where you can remove plaque and avoid its development on teeth.

Here are some non-dental treatment methods for plaque removal from teeth:

Brush your teeth thoroughly

You need to brush your teeth regularly twice a day. Here, brushing the teeth at night is of utmost importance as it removes the food debris and plaque layer from the teeth surface. Use gentle, circular motions, and make sure to clean all surfaces of your teeth, including the gumline.

Floss daily

Regular flossing helps remove plaque from between your teeth and along the gumline which a toothbrush can’t reach effectively. Flossing activity must be done once a day or either every alternate day. Be gentle and thorough while flossing, and use a new section of floss for each tooth.

Use an antimicrobial mouthwash

The development of bacteria and microbes on the teeth is one the main reasons for the plaque development on the teeth. Rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash after brushing and flossing to help kill bacteria and reduce plaque formation.

Maintain a healthy diet

Limit sugary and starchy foods as they can contribute to plaque formation. Include a balanced diet that has vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. This diet helps to remove the plaque layer from the teeth surface and keep your dental health in a better condition.

Chew sugar-free gum

Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can stimulate saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and neutralize acids that contribute to plaque formation. Saliva is one of the important components that effectively washes the plaque layer from the teeth surface.

Brushing with baking soda

Baking soda has very good antibacterial properties that can remove bacteria and plaque from the teeth surface. Here, you must take a small paste of baking soda on the toothbrush and brush it properly on the tooth surface.

Oil pulling

Oil pulling is one of the traditional methods to clean teeth and improve oral health. Oil pulling has the capability to loosen the plaque and wash it from the teeth surface. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which can prevent further plaque development.

Applying Orange peel

Orange peel has components like limonene, vitamin C, and gluconate which helps to remove the plaque layer. Here, you need to put the orange peel on the tooth surface for a few minutes and remove it.

All these non-dental treatment methods can be done very comfortably at home at your convenience. They are also a very cost-effective way to keep teeth away from plaque.

An unchecked development of the plaque can cause tartar development on teeth that further decays the teeth. So, taking proper steps for avoiding plaque development on teeth is important.