If you are a heavy smoker, drink a lot of caffeine, and have poor oral hygiene, plaque will build up on your teeth. This is a sticky and colorless film of bacteria that feels fuzzy to the tongue. It develops when we consume carbs such as milk, cakes, candy, etc. and remains on the teeth till we clean our teeth. If not removed regularly, plaque can get into the roots under the gums and breakdown the bone supporting our teeth.
Over time, the minerals from our saliva cause it to harden, turning it into hard tartar that only a dentist can remove. The good news is that you can remove plaque on your own before that happens.
Top Ways to Remove Plaque
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Upgrade Your Floss Game
Before you brush your teeth, you should dislodge any bits of food so they can be brushed away easily. Flossing can help you do that, but only if you do it right. First, wrap about inches of it around each of your middle fingers, hold it taut, and then push the floss gently between your teeth. Move it in a C shape on the side of one tooth and rub it up and down while pressing it against the tooth. Repeat this for all of your teeth and pay special attention to the back where plaque tends to build up.
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Brush Properly
After flossing, you should spend at least 2 minutes brushing your teeth. Squeeze out a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on your toothbrush and hold it at a 45° angle to your teeth. Move it back and forth in short and gentle strokes across both rows of teeth. Make sure that you pay special attention to chewing surfaces and your tongue as well.
To prevent plaque buildup, brush the inside of your front teeth. Tilt the brush vertically and stroke it up and down in the area to clean thoroughly. Also, pay special attention to the space between the gums and the teeth.
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Replace Your Toothbrush
The best way to ensure plaque doesn’t build up to become a problem is to brush twice a day and use a soft toothbrush that won’t damage the enamel on the teeth and replace it after a couple of months or when the bristles start to fray. An electric toothbrush can be more efficient compared to the traditional variety since it can give you more brush strokes per minute than your wrist can.
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Visit a Dentist Regularly
Even if you think you have a great oral care regime, you may miss some spots only to realize it when tartar forms on your teeth. Regular visits to a dental hygienist or dentist for deep teeth cleaning and checkups can ensure your smile remains healthy and bright. You will also be advised on your brushing technique and how you can improve it.
If you still see plaque buildup, ask your dentist if you should go for a dental sealant. This is a thin and plastic coating that is painted over chewing surfaces of teeth to shield them against tartar. If this is not an option, your dentist might recommend that you cut out carbs from your diet in favor of healthier alternatives such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, fruit, and other food that can neutralize acids that can cause plaque.
How Denticare Smart Sonic Toothbrush Can Help
A simple toothbrush can only do so much when it comes to oral hygiene. If your teeth are worse for wear, you need the Denticare Smart Sonic Toothbrush in your life. Available from Qutek, this smart toothbrush provides 360° coverage and will brush for two minutes before shutting off automatically, so you don’t over or under-brush your teeth.
Using the app, you can even check the areas that you missed so you can brush them again so you can ensure plaque doesn’t build up at all. In other words, with the smart toothbrush, you can ensure you don’t have to shell out big bucks to have tartar removed and be healthier at the same time.