How Bacterial Plaque Causes Gum Disease and Tooth Decay

There's no doubt that your dentist or dental hygienist has mentioned plaque to you before. Bacterial plaque, also known as biofilm, is a white substance you try to get rid of through your rigorous at-home oral care routine and dental checkups. But even with a top-notch routine, you may still have questions about how plaque can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Bacteria thrive in a moist, dark environment with lots of sugars for nourishment. This is why your mouth makes the ideal home! And when bacteria overstay their welcome and create a sticky buildup of plaque on your teeth, dental problems can develop. Let's go over how this happens and how you can prevent it!

Bacterial Plaque

So how exactly does plaque cause tooth decay? There are several steps involving bacteria, plaque, tartar, and then decay. Bacteria in plaque flourish by living in communities that can easily accumulate in your mouth. If plaque has the chance to collect on your teeth, it starts to use the foods and drinks you consume to produce acids. These acids can adhere to your teeth because of the plaque's stickiness. When the acid sticks to your teeth, it breaks down the enamel, thus setting the process of tooth decay into motion. After you eat food is when most acid production occurs, according to MedlinePlus. So every time you eat a meal or snack, your teeth are prone to plaque buildup within a few minutes.

Tartar Buildup and Gum Disease

The same bacterial acids that destroy tooth enamel can start an infection of the gum tissue and bone surrounding your teeth. When you don't remove all the plaque from your teeth, it turns into a harder substance known as tartar. While bacterial plaque is the cause of gum disease, tartar buildup gives the plaque a place to thrive. It's a layering effect - the more plaque that adheres to your teeth, the more tartar that will form. Thus leading to more plaque sticking to this tartar, and so on!

In the first stage of gum disease, also known as gingivitis, your gums become red, swollen, and bleed easily. The plaque that adheres along the tooth and gumline causes inflammation around the teeth. If you let plaque and tartar settle at the gumline and underneath your gums, bacterial toxins will attack the bone and ligaments surrounding your teeth. This causes a more advanced phase of gum disease, like periodontitis.

There are several key aspects of preventing tooth decay and gum disease, which we'll highlight below:

Fluoride Sources

If you have weak tooth enamel, your teeth are less likely to resist the bacterial acids in your mouth. But there's a simple way to keep your tooth enamel healthy and strong! You can use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen and protect your enamel. And ask your dental professional about other fluoride sources for your family, such as mouthwashes, supplements, or fluoridated water.

Toothbrushing

Skimping out on personal care will only hinder your ability to reverse gum disease and tooth decay, and it starts with toothbrushing. Bacteria build up more quickly when it isn't regularly brushed away. We recommend brushing your teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush at least twice daily. Pay particular attention to the plaque that gathers around the gumline. Replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head often. Worn and frayed brushes don't clean thoroughly, and they harbor old bacteria – the culprit you're trying to get rid of!

Flossing

Interdental cleaning once a day is a must! Because your toothbrush cannot reach all of the food and bacteria trapped between your teeth, using floss or a water flosser to get into these hard-to-reach areas helps combat gum disease and tooth decay. The best time to clean between your teeth is before bed so that your mouth has fewer bacteria while sleeping. But if you prefer to do it in the morning, that's okay too! While using floss is the typical way to clean between your teeth, some people find flossing awkward. Ask your dental professional about floss holders or other interdental cleaning devices that are available.

Regular Professional Cleanings

Bacteria that hardens into tartar isn't removable with a toothbrush. Hence, visiting your dentist and dental hygienist for cleanings and checkups are also necessary. During these appointments, your dental professionals will detect and treat any decay or gum problems early, before more serious dental problems have a chance to take hold.

Healthy Eating

When you reduce your carbohydrate intake, especially refined sugars, you reduce the bacteria's ability to produce acids that cause decay and gum disease. The American Dental Association stresses the importance of eating a healthy diet with lots of whole grains, proteins, dairy, and fruits and vegetables. Replace sugary snacks and drinks with cheeses, yogurt, and natural peanut butter. This helps reduce the number of acid attacks your teeth are exposed to during the day.

Bacterial plaque is the bad guy when it comes to dental disease. You already know this since you put time, effort, and care into keeping you and your family's mouths healthy. But it's helpful to understand the exact ways plaque and then tartar can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. We believe that knowledge is power! The more you know about preventive measures in your control, the more likely you'll be to implement them! With a vigorous personal oral care routine, consistently seeing your dental professionals, eating a healthy diet, and using the right products that work for you, know that you're doing everything in your power to keep your mouth healthy and bright!