Dental Plaque

Dental Plaque – What Is It?

After chewing food, microscopic food particles adhere to the micro-roughness on the tooth surface. Along with pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity, they form a bacterial film. If not removed within 1-2 hours (which is why dentists recommend brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth after every main meal or snack), it becomes saturated with the mineral components of saliva and hardens. As it hardens, the bacterial plaque initially turns yellow, then darkens. Eventually, it becomes tartar.

Causes of Dental Plaque

• Consuming exclusively soft foods (which do not aid in the natural cleaning of plaque);
• Neglecting oral hygiene;
• Taking certain antibiotics and other medications;
• Smoking;
• Drinking water with a high iron content.

Types of Dental Plaque

By degree of mineralization:

• Non-mineralized. Just 5-10 minutes after brushing, a pellicle – a thin bacterial film – forms. It begins to interact with the mineral components of saliva, penetrating its porous structure. Proteins in saliva "assist" pathogenic microorganisms in firmly attaching to the tooth surface. This results in a soft microbial plaque.
• Mineralized. The primary mineralization of the soft plaque occurs within 6-10 hours, depending on the composition of the saliva. If not removed with a toothbrush during this time, it hardens. The process of tartar formation begins.

By color:

• White. Forms throughout the day or during sleep. It is easily removed, but if teeth brushing is neglected, it begins to harden.
• Yellow. The initial stage of soft plaque discoloration. Causes: poor oral hygiene, excessive consumption of sugary products, smoking cigarettes or hookah.
• Brown. Occurs in long-term smokers. Nicotine resins accumulated on the enamel form a dense brown film. Daily consumption of tea, coffee, and other staining drinks can also cause brown plaque.
• Black. Can form against the background of chemotherapy, taking antibiotics, hormonal imbalances, intoxication.
• Green. Appears in children due to the active proliferation of fungi in the oral cavity.

By location:

• Supragingival. Forms on the inner surface of the lower teeth and on the outer surface of the molars.
• Subgingival. Forms in the periodontal pockets. It is dark in color and hard.

Type of Dental Plaque according to ICD:

• K03.60 - pigmented (black, green, orange)
• K03.61 - caused by tobacco use
• K03.62 - caused by chewing betel
• K03.63 - other extensive soft (white) deposits
• K03.64 - supragingival tartar
• K03.65 - subgingival tartar
• K03.66 - dental plaque
• K03.68 - other specified deposits on teeth
• K03.69 - unspecified deposits on teeth

How to Remove Dental Plaque - Treatment Methods

Depending on the clinical picture, one of the following methods (or a combination thereof) is used:

Polishing with Abrasive Paste

This procedure allows for painless removal of bacterial and pigmented plaque, smoothing the enamel surface, and restoring natural shine.

How does it work?

The dentist attaches a special tip to the drill and first applies a paste with coarse abrasive particles (to remove dense plaque) and then a fine-dispersed paste. Over 10-20 minutes, the dentist treats the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth – first the flat surfaces, then the chewing surfaces. The interdental spaces are also treated.

Air Flow

If polishing with paste is insufficient to achieve the desired result, the Air Flow method is used.

The procedure (lasting 5 to 20 minutes) removes only pigmented and bacterial plaque as well as soft dental deposits.

How does it work?

The device creates a mixture of directed air flow, fine-dispersed sodium bicarbonate particles, and water. The dentist sprays the mixture onto the tooth surface. The abrasive particles break up the plaque, and the water washes away the destroyed deposits from the tooth surface.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. gently removes deposits even in hard-to-reach places (interdental spaces, gingival pockets);
2. gently removes plaque from smoking, staining foods, coffee, tea;
3. allows for cleaning braces;
4. prepares teeth for whitening.

Cons:

1. does not remove hard tartar;
2. has a list of contraindications (gum inflammation, bronchial asthma, etc.).

Ultrasonic Cleaning

In one session (lasting 5 to 20 minutes), plaque with tartar can be removed, and the enamel can be lightened.

How does it work?

The dentist uses a scaler. It’s tip is moved by ultrasound and gently breaks down dental deposits. A fluid with antiseptic is sprayed onto the tooth surface under pressure. The fluid, along with the particles of destroyed deposits, is suctioned out of the mouth.

After the procedure, the dentist polishes the enamel to remove micro-roughness. Then, fluoridation is performed to enrich the enamel with minerals.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. effectively removes soft and hard plaque;
2. does not damage or thin the enamel;
3. has an antiseptic effect (prevents gingivitis).

Cons:

1. increased enamel sensitivity may occur within 2-4 days after the procedure.

Dental Plaque – Before and After

Can You Remove Dental Plaque at Home?

Light pigmented plaque can be removed with an electric toothbrush and toothpaste such as Lacalut White (with an RDA of 120) or President Profi Plus (RDA 200). Apply a small amount of paste to the front teeth. Use the electric brush on a low setting, brushing each tooth for at least 20 seconds. Rinse your mouth after brushing.

It's impossible to remove tartar at home on your own. Avoid using homemade teeth whitening remedies, such as radish juice with lemon. Acid might slightly soften the tartar, but the negative effect is worse – calcium is leached from the enamel, increasing sensitivity to temperature.

What Happens If You Don't Brush Your Teeth?

What About Dental Plaques with Children?

Parents often consult dentists about dark spots on their child's milk teeth, especially near the gum line. This is known as Pristley's plaque. It results from the activity of certain bacteria in the mouth, which are naturally present in all children. These bacteria produce a dark pigment. It's not harmful to the teeth, but dentists recommend removing it because it:

• hides caries (difficult to detect among the dark spots);
• spoils the appearance of the smile;
• causes halitosis (unpleasant mouth odor).

Dental Care

Advice from dentists:

• Brush your teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste 2-3 times a day, especially after meals;
• Rinse your mouth every time after snacking;
• Daily remove food particles from between your teeth using dental floss (preferably before bedtime) or a water flosser;
• Visit your dentist every six months for professional cleaning to prevent the accumulation of plaque and tartar in hard-to-reach areas.