The secrets to avoiding plaque buildup aren’t so secret. You’ve probably been hearing most of them since before you lost your baby teeth. But bad habits have a way of sneaking up on us. Make sure you’re pushing back against plaque by avoiding these five bad habits for tooth health.
6 Habits That Put Plaque on Your Teeth:
Not Brushing Regularly
No one else might notice if you don’t brush your teeth twice a day, every day. But your teeth will.
“Plaque is a little like bees in the summertime,” Price says. “One or two won’t really bother you, but if you let them build a beehive in the backyard, you’ve got a problem.”
Brush your teeth gently twice a day, using a fluoride-containing toothpaste. The exact technique isn’t as important as concentrating to make sure you’re softly brushing all the surfaces of your teeth.
Not Flossing Each Day
Brushing doesn’t reach the spaces between teeth, but plaque does. A simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage.
“Flossing also cleans plaque at the gum line, another area that brushing doesn’t reach,” says Price. If left alone, plaque below the gum line can lead to periodontal disease.
If you just can’t stand flossing your teeth, consider using one of the many other ADA-approved products to clean between your teeth each day. They’re available in any supermarket or drugstore; ask your dentist if you’re not sure which one to use.
Not Using Rinses
Mouth rinses with fluoride have been shown to prevent decay. Antibacterial rinses reduce plaque and gingivitis and attack bad breath. Keep brushing and flossing, and if you haven’t already, add a mouth rinse, such as an antimicrobial or a fluoride rinse (not just a mouthwash), for a triple threat against teeth destroyers.
Avoiding the Dentist
Even if you brush and floss your teeth daily, you’ll miss some plaque. Over time, that plaque hardens into tartar that needs to be removed at your dentist’s office. Yet more than a third of people surveyed haven’t seen their dentist in more than a year.
“Even dentists don’t like to go to the dentist,” jokes Price. But studies show that in general, people who neglect regular dentist visits get more cavities and have a higher chance of losing their teeth.
Once a year teeth cleanings are considered the minimum. Twice a year teeth cleanings may be better for many people. “Most dentists recommend twice a year cleanings or more,” according to Price.
Neglecting Nature’s Toothbrushes:
Long before toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste existed, certain foods played a role in keeping plaque off of teeth.
“Eating crunchy vegetables or fruits with the skin on can scrub off plaque,” Price tells WebMD. Carrots, apples, cucumbers, and many other raw fruits and vegetables are teeth-friendly, despite the sugar they contain.
In addition, a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in processed foods protects you from obesity, heart disease, and cancer.
Indulging Your Sweet Tooth
Bacteria love simple carbohydrates like sugar. Eating candy or drinking sugary soft drinks lets sugar stick to our teeth, giving bacteria something to munch on. As the bacteria create a film of plaque, they digest sugar into acid, which damages teeth.
“All sugary candy, and most junk food in general, contribute to plaque formation,” Price says. “High-sugar foods or drinks that are also soft or sticky are especially problematic. ... Sugary soft drinks might be about the worst thing you can put on your teeth."
Avoiding these six bad habits can help you keep plaque in check (and keep your teeth).
You may also want to talk about sealants with your dentist. The pits and fissures on molars can be difficult to keep clean in some people, even with good dental care. Dental sealants are a clear plastic coating that covers the tooth surface, barring bacteria and acid from entering. Sealants are safe and effective in blocking plaque and preventing tooth decay.
“No one’s teeth can stay plaque-free 24 hours a day, it’s just not possible,” says Price. But good habits over a lifetime will help you beat back plaque and save your smile.
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