What is plaque (dental plaque)?

Table of contents


• - What is plaque?
• - What does plaque look like?
• - How do I know if I have plaque?
• - How can I prevent plaque formation myself?

Plaque, also spelled dental plaque, is a calculated problem that almost everyone faces. But what exactly is it: dental plaque? And what does dental plaque look like? How do you know about yourself whether you have plaque or not? Finally, we look at what you can do to prevent plaque formation yourself. Read more methods to remove plaque here.

What is plaque?

First, we zoom in on the question of what is plaque. The question what is dental plaque is not that difficult to answer. Tooth plaque refers to a substance that is full of bacteria. It often involves the space between the teeth and gums. Nutrients, saliva and drinks then cause bacterial plaque to form. This bacterial plaque is capable of attacking and damaging tooth enamel. If dental plaque is not removed, it can lead to permanent tooth damage. The dental plaque then, as it is called, starts to mineralise (creating even more junk on your teeth) and turns into what is called tartar.

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What does plaque look like?

Dental plaque on teeth has a light yellow to brownish colour. Bacterial dental plaque becomes especially visible at the point when this substance mineralises and turns into tartar. This can be seen in teeth that become increasingly yellowish and brownish.

How do I know if I have plaque?

How exactly do you know if you have plaque on your teeth, or not? First, by taking a good look in the mirror at the colour of your teeth. If your teeth are yellowish or brownish where they touch the gums, there is a significant chance that bacterial plaque is there. A second method to check if you have bacterial plaque on your teeth is to go over your teeth with your tongue. If your teeth do not feel smooth but rough to the touch, chances are considerable that you are suffering from dental plaque.

How can I prevent plaque formation myself?

You can reduce or counter plaque formation on the teeth yourself in a few ways. One of the best ways is to brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with an electric toothbrush. This will significantly reduce the formation of bacterial plaque. You can also prevent, or at least reduce, tartar and plaque on your teeth by not eating too many sugary drinks and food products. You can also use dental floss, toothpaste tablets, a tongue cleaner, water flosser, good plaque removers and similar products. By taking preventive action, you can avoid a lot of dental misery. Here, prevention is better than cure! Finally, we recommend that you visit a dentist regularly so that timely intervention can be taken if there is plaque formation on your teeth. Therefore, visit your dentist at least once, but preferably twice a year, to have your teeth thoroughly checked and, if necessary, cleaned.

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Written by

Kim Schouten

In recent years, she has worked in various areas to improve oral health care for both young and old. Oral care is an essential part of daily care. This is because good oral care is not only important for the mouth, but also for overall health. Therefore, it is very important to create awareness and share knowledge about this.