Plaque, commonly known as “tartar”, is the yellow or black dirt attached to the surface of the teeth (mostly seen in the cracks and the inner side of the teeth). It is made up of rotten food, necrotic oral epithelial cells, saliva and parasitic bacterial communities in the oral cavity, which is very harmful to oral health, especially dental health. 1.How is plaque formed? (Material basis: saliva + food debris + necrotic cells) Oral saliva contains a large number of nutrients, these nutrients are very easy to attach to the surface of the teeth, even if the teeth just brushed, less than a few minutes will regather a layer of nutrients film, and the thicker it gets. If you encounter poor oral hygiene habits, food debris and necrotic cells make the tooth surface attached to more nutrients. 2, biological factors (various types of bacteria) When the surface of the teeth with rich nutrition, will attract a large number of bacteria attached, the more nutrients will gather more bacteria. These bacteria mainly include a variety of streptococci and anaerobic bacteria, they will continue to reproduce, constantly release a variety of waste, and constantly expand the range of colonies on the surface of the teeth. Eventually, saliva, food debris, necrotic cells, bacterial communities mixed accumulation, making the original white surface of the teeth to form a block of yellow or black blocks, that is, plaque. If you can’t clean and remove it for a long time, it will precipitate a very hard and difficult to remove tartar. 3, what are the dangers of dental plaque? (1) Causing diseases. The formation of plaque indicates that there is a huge amount of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria will release a variety and a large number of toxins, metabolites, when the metabolites and toxins released by the bacteria to reach a certain level, will cause damage to the oral organs, such as dental caries, mouth ulcers, bad breath, as well as tonsillitis, pharyngitis and so on. (2) Affecting aesthetics. After a long time of accumulation and precipitation of plaque, it will eventually calcify and form very obvious stains attached to the surface of the teeth, which are hard and very difficult to remove, which will inevitably cause great damage to one’s own image in the process of interpersonal communication. When the amount of plaque is small, it is difficult to observe with the naked eye, usually using plaque indicator can be shown. Step 1: Apply plaque stain. When applying plaque stain, it is best to apply lip balm to the lips and surrounding skin first, so that the stain will not come into contact with these areas. Also, be careful when handling it to avoid staining your clothes and other items. Step 2: Rinse your mouth well and spit out any excess stain. Step 3: Check your mouth for stain residue. Where the stain remains in your mouth is where the plaque is hiding! The purplish-red color indicates that this is where plaque collects, and that this area will need to be cleaned in the future. Step 4: Cleaning, now that we have found the enemy, plaque sticks to the teeth and mucous membranes like a layer of paste, we have to keep rubbing with a toothbrush to remove it, and the gaps between the teeth have to be cleaned by flossing! How to effectively prevent the formation of plaque? 1. To prevent plaque buildup, remember these keywords: toothbrush (round head, soft bristles), fluoride toothpaste, brushing, 2 times a day (at least). When brushing, pay special attention to where the gums meet the teeth; 2. Flossing is effective in removing food debris and bacteria, so floss your teeth 1 time a day (at least); 3. Visit your dentist once every 6 months for an oral checkup and scaling; 4. Consult with your dentist if you need to undergo fossa sealant treatment. Dental sealants are thin-textured coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth to effectively prevent caries on the occlusal surfaces of the molars; 5. Eat a balanced diet and control the frequency and number of intake of snacks between regular meals. Choose snacks with high nutritional value, such as plain yogurt, cheese, fresh fruit and raw vegetables. Some vegetables (such as celery) can help remove food debris and neutralize plaque-generating acids in saliva. In addition, be careful with mouthwash. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), using an antibacterial mouthwash can reduce the bacteria that produce plaque and cause periodontal disease.