Month: March 2021

Maintaining oral hygiene is important to stay away from several painful conditions. One of these is the development of plaque. Tooth plaque is a problem that a lot of people struggle with. While it is completely okay to get it, it can cause major harm to your teeth if not treated well in time. This can prevent the development of cavities or any gum related disease. 

Preventing tooth decay or cavities require you to be careful about what you eat and maintain proper oral hygiene. Plaque is a sticky coating that can be really uncomfortable and make your teeth appear dirty.

Causes

For dealing with it, you need to start by understanding what plaque actually is. Your mouth has bacteria present in it naturally. When you eat sugary or sticky food, it remains stuck in between the teeth for a long time. The bacteria break the food down to produce an acidic substance which results in the formation of a biofilm called plaque. It can also harm your gums and the bones supporting the teeth. You can feel this a fuzzy layer on your teeth which is colourless or yellow.

Plaque can harden over time if not removed. This is termed as tartar that develops on your gumline and teeth. Only a dentist can help remove this buildup as it is harder, stickier and difficult to get rid of.

Prevention

Preventing the development of plaque is much better than dealing with its aftermath. Here’s how you can avoid the formation of this stick layer on your teeth-

• Use flouride toothpaste to brush twice daily.  
• Clean your mouth after eating anything sugary.
• Use a brush with rounded bristles to reach all parts of the mouth.
• Floss once daily to remove any food particle remaining in the mouth.
• Avoid too much sugary and carbohydrate-rich food as the bacteria thrives on it.
• Eat vegetables that can neutralize the acid produced by bacteria.
• Regularly use a mouthwash with antibacterial properties to rinse the mouth.
• Get your teeth checked by a dentist routinely.  
• Always brush your teeth before going to bed. This removes any food particle stuck in the mouth that can be broken down by the bacteria.

Treatment

Removing plaque from your teeth requires maintaining proper oral hygiene. You can get rid of this buildup with regular brushing and flossing. Using an electric toothbrush can also help as it is more effective in cleaning. If you haven’t cleaned the plaque and it has hardened to form tartar, you cannot get rid of it yourself. You will have to get this tartar cleaned by a medical professional.

If you are observing a sticky coating on your teeth, you should immediately see a dentist to help find out if it is plaque. Timely intervention can prevent any major harm to your teeth in the future. Adopting better hygiene practices for your teeth like proper brushing and flossing can significantly improve its condition.  

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

If you have ever seen someone with dentures, or if you are wearing them, you likely have some curiosity about them? You might have thought what dentures really are, what they are made up of, when one needs to wear them, and how they should be taken care of, etc. Even if you ask someone about them, you may not get satisfied until you get to know the basics.

What are dentures?

Dentures are also popularly known as false teeth. They are prosthetic devices fitted in the mouth when the natural teeth are lost. Generally, dentures are removable, and they are available in various designs. It also depends upon the needs of the person to fetch the right piece of a denture. If you are curious about the composition of these dentures; the components have changed over the years. Earlier, it was made up of Porcelain or plastic. But as of now, they are made of hard resin. Also, the material with which any denture is prepared is softer than the real teeth.

According to the number of teeth lost, dentures can be complete or partial. If only some teeth, which may be from the bottom gum line, are missing, then a partial denture can work. On the other hand, if all the teeth are lost, one needs to fit the complete denture. Complete debentures replace the entire set of teeth; whether the upper jaw, lower jaw or the whole mouth.

Complete dentures need proper care
Whether it is partial or full dentures, if you are wearing one, you need to take proper care to sustain hygiene and health. Reasonable care will keep the teeth free from stains and prevent the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth.

Here are some steps to follow healthy dentures:

Detach and rinse the dentures: To clean your dentures, remove them, and run water to dislodge any food debris, and other particles. Also, run water in your mouth and along the gum line to ensure complete cleanliness. Make sure you handle them carefully while cleaning, otherwise they may break.

Brush daily: What if you don’t have real teeth, even the dentures need to be brushed daily. You only need to remove them and brush gently. Also, remember to use the brush with soft bristles only to avoid any damage.

Soak them: Some dentures need to be soaked overnight to maintain the moisture. Ask your dentist about the type of overnight storage your dentures need.

Scheduled checkups: Not only the complete dentures you are wearing, but if you have any dental issues, the prime step is routine dental checkups. These scheduled checkups let you be aware of all the activities in your mouth and keep you in a safe zone.

In case of any problem with fitting, immediately contact your dentist.

At last, you are recommended to avoid anything that harms your dentures. The list includes abrasive cleaning material, whitening toothpaste, bleach products, hot water, etc. Make no delays in seeing a dentist if you find any issues with the dentures and also have a detailed discussion of the dos with him before using dentures.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.