Tooth plaques are huge accumulations of microbes that are fixed on the enamel of one or several teeth at once. Bacteria in the mouth can cause an acidic environment. It is under the influence of such factors that the enamel begins to be damaged and become unusable in a short time, which leads to partial or even complete destruction of the teeth.
What do plaques look like?
Formations of dental plaques on the enamel are represented by a dark or light plaque. They adversely affect the overall he alth of the teeth and can result in tooth loss.
This condition is primarily due to the fact that a huge amount of pathogenic microorganisms and their metabolic products accumulated in the oral cavity at that time.
Mechanism of plaque formation
Most often, such formations are formed on the back walls of the teeth. Negative influence as a result leads to demineralization and formation of caries.
Fissures and pits are most affected by plaque from dental plaque. Plaque can also spread over smooth parts,which, during motor activity, come into contact with the root surface. Large accumulations of parasites are formed most often in areas where it is difficult to carry out a full cleaning.
Composition of plaques and features of their structure
An important fact is that such formations do not include food debris and re-form after a few hours after brushing your teeth.
Plaque is mostly made up of microbes. The new layer contains a large number of them, while they form a soft, sticky and transparent coating.
The composition of dental plaque is as follows: half of all plaque pathogens are streptococci, 30 percent are diphtheroids, and the other 20 percent are equally divided between bacteroids, fusobacteria, vibrios, neisseria and veillonella.
Causes of pathogenic microflora
The main reasons for the formation of pathogenic microflora in the oral cavity, favorable for the deposition of dental plaques, include:
- decrease in the overall resistance of the human body, as well as specific features of immunity;
- eating too much sugar, confectionery and other sweets;
- irregular brushing of teeth, as well as non-observance of hygiene rules;
- too much saliva and its wrong composition.
Plaque can spread both to individual teeth and to a whole row. Diseases of this nature are considered salivary. Plaques are formed due to the accumulation of someminerals. They enter the oral cavity together with saliva and food.
If dental plaque covers the entire chewing surface of the molar, then its color changes greatly, and the structure is deformed as a result.
What are the signs of plaque?
You can determine the presence of symptoms of the accumulation of pathogenic deposits using external manifestations. At the first stage of its development, the formation affects the very surface of the tooth above the gum line.
Most often the plaque is painted white or beige. According to its consistency, it can be both plastic and solid. The color of plaque from dental plaque will directly depend on the amount of coffee, strong tea, and tobacco consumed.
Specialists were able to identify a definite relationship - pathological deposits on light-colored teeth, as a rule, have a softer consistency, while they form much faster than hard ones, and can accumulate in large quantities.
Dark deposits can be compared to stone in density, but they form on a human tooth for a long time and in a small volume when compared to light ones.
Stages of formation
The timing of the formation of a mature dental plaque can be different and depend on provoking factors. The rate of appearance and localization of plaque will directly depend on the individual characteristics of the person, as well as on the quality of oral hygiene.
The stages of plaque formation are as follows:
- In the beginning observedthe development of a primary pellicle, which extends over the entire surface of the tooth or only a separate part of it.
- Second stage - primary microbiological contamination.
- The third stage is fixation on the surface of the molars.
Ways to detect malaise
A professional dentist must be able to distinguish plaque from other types of tartar. Accurate information can be obtained with a comprehensive examination of the patient's oral cavity, as well as the identification of an etiotropic pathogen.
Diagnostic measures are carried out in the laboratory. It is they who help doctors to make a final diagnosis with high accuracy and decide on a more effective method of treatment and restoration of the oral cavity.
In the conditions of modern medicine, in order to diagnose inflammatory and pathogenic processes in the oral cavity, the following methods are used:
- complete examination of microflora;
- examination of the state of human immune defense;
- biochemical analysis;
- cytological examination.
The effectiveness of the treatment of dental plaque will directly depend on the exact identification of the causative agent of the pathology. Sometimes, in the diagnosis, specialized dyes are used to help determine the cause of plaque and its active spread over the surface of the teeth.
Microscopy of the oral cavity may be required to determine the quality of the microflora and search for pathogenic pathogens. To assess the overall extent of plaque, a standard microbiological test should be used.inoculation of a selective or non-selective medium.
After that, a direct count of all found colonies of microbes in the oral cavity is carried out.
How is plaque treated?
When removing plaque accumulated on the surface of the teeth, dentists use special dental appliances. Although a good cleaning effect can be achieved at home.
Removal in clinic
Removal of dental plaque is first carried out on the distal portion of the teeth. After that, the specialists move slowly, moving towards the front teeth.
If the removal is carried out qualitatively, and the patient follows all the basic advice and rules of the treating specialist, then soon all the plaques will pass and the microflora in the oral cavity will return to normal.
The quality of treatment will directly depend on the professionalism of the dentist. The whole procedure is divided into the following steps:
- Deletion. Complete cleaning of the surface of the teeth from formations of hard and soft consistency that have accumulated in the periodontal and gum canals.
- Processing. To prevent re-formation of plaques, all cleaned surfaces and recesses on the tooth should be covered with specialized antibacterial preparations. If the cleaning is done in a clinic, then the dentist does it.
Self-healing
Treatment at home to clean the enamel of the teeth from plaques is carried out by rinsing the mouth with special dental solutions.
Also, a pretty good effect can be achieved when applying hydrogen peroxide and cotton compresses. But at the same time, it is important to remember that this remedy not only eliminates plaques, but can also lead to enamel deformation and no less dangerous consequences.
If the treatment of the disease at home does not bring any positive effect, then it is important to immediately go to the doctor. It is forbidden to hesitate in such a situation, as this can only aggravate the situation, and this is fraught with loss of teeth.
Possible complications in this pathology
Tooth plaque is not only an aesthetic problem, but also a disease that can lead to the development of caries. This can be the main cause of partial or complete tooth deformation.
Also, a similar condition threatens the appearance of periodontal disease and other gum diseases. As you know, this situation quite often provokes the loss of he althy teeth.
This can be explained by the fact that pathological residues squeeze the edge of the gums, which provokes the development of the inflammatory process. Such problems are most often treated with surgery and prosthetics.
What are the ways to prevent the disease?
Preventive measures will be to follow the basic rules of oral hygiene. Dentists say that it is the constant cleaning of the oral cavity after eating that becomes a reliable method that helps to significantly reduce the risk of this type of disease. With the use of good toothpastes and brushes, you caneliminate all accumulated plaque before it has time to turn into plaque.
To the basic rules of cleaning, which will help to significantly reduce the risk of complications, include:
- Using medium hard brushes with a small head;
- using toothpastes containing fluoride;
- thorough cleaning of the oral cavity (twice a day for five minutes);
- use of special balms to help dissolve plaque formed;
- Using floss to deep clean gaps formed between teeth;
- The brush should be changed every two to three months, since it is after this time that the previous ones become unusable.
For young children, as well as people who have some difficulty with arm mobility, it is best to use electric toothbrushes. They have a built-in rotating and moving mechanism that provides high-quality and thorough cleaning.
Plaque is not just plaque that can be removed during the day with a simple brush and toothpaste. This is a rather dangerous disease, which as a result becomes the cause of severe oral diseases.
