Dentistry-Online

This is how you can remove plaque

introduction

If the oral hygiene is poor, food remains stick to the tooth. Bacteria break them down and excrete substances that are harmful to the tooth.

Read more on the topic: Dental plaque

In order to optimally care for the teeth and to keep them healthy for a long time, the dental plaque must be removed regularly, only in this way can carious defects and inflammatory processes of the gums and the gum-supporting structures be effectively prevented. The right toothbrush, the use of dental floss and interdental brushes, and the use of mouthwashes all help to keep oral hygiene healthy.

Read more on the topic: Oral hygiene

Dental care tools

For optimal dental care, the combined use of:

Toothbrush (electric or sonic toothbrushes are recommended)
Interdental brushes
Floss
Mouthwash solutions
Irrigator

Remove plaque yourself

The removal of the annoying plaque does not necessarily have to be removed by the dentist or a trained prophylactic assistant. Professional teeth cleaning in a dental practice is not covered by most statutory health insurance companies and, depending on the provider, can cost up to 100 euros.

Plaque can be removed inexpensively, conveniently and painlessly at home using simple means. In order to effectively prevent the formation of dental plaque, it is advisable to use an interdental brush and / or floss at least once a day in addition to regular tooth brushing. In addition, there are various care solutions that consist of oils (for example grapefruit or grape oils) consist. The application of these solutions works

Read more on the topic: dental care

have a positive effect on the entire oral flora, the gums and the tooth substance. Since it is often impossible to penetrate into the depths of the gingival pockets with an interdental brush or dental floss, these oily solutions are an ideal addition to daily oral hygiene.
In addition, the use of baking powder to remove plaque is considered a miracle cure, because it should not only be able to loosen particularly stubborn plaque, but also gently lighten the tooth substance. From a dental perspective, however, the use of baking soda is more than controversial. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that it is assumed that the smallest particles of baking powder abrade the healthy tooth substance and, on the other hand, because of the sugar content it contains.
After removing plaque using baking powder, the teeth should therefore be cleaned again with toothpaste and toothbrush.

Find out more about the topic here: Removal of tartar

Pain on removal

Dental plaque can be removed painlessly and easily with thorough oral hygiene. Even with professional teeth cleaning, the soft plaque is removed without the occurrence of pain. Only the removal of tartar, i.e. mineralized and therefore solid plaque, can be slightly uncomfortable.

Professional tooth cleaning

In the case of very stubborn plaque, tartar and other discoloration of the tooth substance, a so-called “professional tooth cleaning” at the dentist should be considered.

Professional teeth cleaning is an effective measure to remove dental plaque by mechanically cleaning the surfaces and spaces. Countless studies show that caries and parodontosis is the actual technical term Periodontal disease) - Risk can be significantly reduced with regular professional teeth cleaning.
During plaque removal (curettage), the treating dentist uses differently ground instruments that enable him to clean the surface of the tooth up to the edge of the gums. The removal of plaque in hard-to-reach places, which can hardly be kept clean even with dental floss and interdental brushes, can also be ensured in the course of professional teeth cleaning.

An alternative to tooth cleaning using curettage is the so-called "Air flow method". In this method, plaque is removed from the tooth surface by using a water-salt mixture. Here, too, the expert opinions differ widely.

While many dentists are of the opinion that tooth cleaning using Air Flow in combination with effective dental care at home significantly contributes to maintaining dental health, other specialists assume that small particles of the water-salt mixture abrade the tooth surface, roughening it and creating new ones Form attachment points for bacteria.

Read more on the topic: Professional tooth cleaning

costs

The costs of professional teeth cleaning are usually not covered by the statutory health insurance companies.
A simple tartar removal can only be billed by a statutory health insurance provider once a year, but this is nowhere near as effective as a complete professional tooth cleaning.

For this reason, this prophylactic measure is billed according to the principles of private billing. On average, the dentist charges around 3.62 euros per tooth for the services provided, with a lot of effort (for example excessive salivation) even more. The total costs are ultimately based on the number of teeth to be cleaned. In contrast to the statutory health insurances, private insurance carriers completely cover the costs of professional teeth cleaning.

Home remedies for dental plaque

When using home remedies, it is essential to ensure that their use does not damage the tooth enamel - be it through acid or roughening substances that damage the enamel and thus promote the accumulation of bacteria. A roughened surface also offers an enlarged surface with even more hiding places for the bacteria.

vinegar for example is an aggressive acid that loosens molecules from the enamel and thus leads to roughening. Tea tree oil Like vinegar, it is not suitable for dental care. Another internet trend is chewing Sesame seeds. They are chewed several times a week for about 20 minutes and then the teeth are brushed with a dry toothbrush.

The most important thing is good "conventional" oral hygiene using a suitable toothbrush and toothpaste. Those who brush their teeth at least twice a day for 3 minutes and regularly use dental floss and mouthwash solutions are the best prerequisites for healthy oral hygiene. If the soft plaque is not constantly removed, it hardens and tartar is created, which cannot be removed by simple brushing.

For details, see White teeth through home remedies.

baking powder

When removing plaque, you shouldn't use baking powder, as this can roughen the surface of the tooth through small, hard particles. The enamel is damaged by an emery effect. This makes it easier for bacteria to adhere to the tooth. No acid works against the teeth here, but the mechanical effect of the abrasive particles does enough damage to the tooth.

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