Ask Advanced Dental Concepts: how do people get teeth plaque?

Nobody likes getting plaque on their teeth, which, according to our friends at WebMD, "develops when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches) such as milk, soft drinks, raisins, cakes, or candy are frequently left on the teeth."

So, how should you avoid plaque? Let’s start with brushing regularly. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste is vital to a healthy mouth. Make sure you softly brush all the surfaces of your teeth. You should also remember to floss daily: a simple daily flossing between teeth clears away plaque before it can cause damage and can also clean plaque at the gum line. Plaque is known to reach the spaces between teeth.

Also, evading your dentist is probably not a great idea. Even if you brush and floss daily, you’re still at risk for plaque. With time, the plaque hardens and turns into tartar, which is why it's important to visit Advanced Dental Concepts at least twice a year (or as recommended by Drs. Faulkner or Spurlock). You’ll also want to eat those fruits and veggies. Believe it or not, there are foods out there that play a key role in keeping plaque off our teeth - they include apples, carrots, cucumbers and other raw fruits and vegetables. Finally, before you pick that candy up, think about giving in to your sweet tooth. Consuming sugary drinks or eating candy or other junk food allows sugar to stick to our teeth. The bacteria, then, becomes plaque, which turns into acid and damages your teeth.

We hope these tips helped! We encourage you to give us a call at (850) 304-0027 if you have any more questions about keeping your teeth in between your visits to our Pace office.