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Four Things You Can Do To Reduce Plaque Buildup

It can be ridiculously easy for children to get plaque on their teeth. Almost all kids love candy and snacks which means that they’re very vulnerable to the bacteria that builds up on teeth and hardens into plaque. Plaque ruins enamel, which is the protective outer layer of the tooth. Without enamel, we’re much more susceptible to tooth decay and even the breakdown of the bone beneath your teeth and gums. This is why it’s so important to do everything you can to prevent plaque in both your children’s teeth and your own. Here are 4 things you can do to prevent plaque buildup.

Avoid Sugar and Starch

Sugary and starchy foods like soda, candy, cake and bread have a lot of carbs which can cause them to stick to your teeth and create plaque. There’s no way we’re going to recommend NEVER giving your kids these delicious treats. Just make sure that they’re followed by a good brushing right after, and you should be able to reduce the chances of plaque buildup.

Brushing and Flossing Daily

The most important thing you can do to avoid plaque is brushing and flossing with the proper techniquesevery day. This means brushing at least twice, and flossing at least once per day. When brushing, make sure you massage your gums with the toothbrush and get the small areas between your gums and teeth. The same goes for your children since plaque tends to gather in these spaces.

Nutrition

Many foods contain acids that can damage your teeth. However, on the opposite ends of the spectrum, there are foods that can actually help build up and strengthen your teeth. Foods such as yogurt, cheese, fruits and celery can all be great for your teeth. Celery contains material that scrubs food away from the surface of your teeth, and generates saliva, which also helps clear bacteria from your mouth. Any food containing calcium is also great for your teeth since calcium protects against periodontal (gum) disease and keeps your jaw bone strong and healthy.

Regular Dentist Visits

Plaque buildup is unfortunately pretty inevitable. Even if you do everything you can to prevent it on you and your child’s teeth, you can’t keep it off alone. Visiting a dentist every six months will help take care of the difficult to reach plaque, or plaque that has already hardened and can’t be easily brushed away. The more you visit your dentist the less likely that plaque will get the chance to turn into tartaror cavities.

Avoiding plaque altogether is basically impossible, but there are things you can do to reduce it, and get rid of it whenever it does accumulate. This is the main goal of proper oral healthcare, and it will help you avoid cavities, tooth decay, gum disease and so many other dental issues in the future. Make sure you’re showing your kids a good example on how to take care of your teeth, and they’re much more likely to carry these good habits into their future.

(10/02/2021)
by Coral West Dental

More Information: https://www.coralwestdental.com/blog/4-things-you-can-do-to-reduce-plaque-buildup

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