Dental plaque is a mass of bacteria also called biofilm. The mouth contains millions of bacteria, so how are we to win the battle against diseases such as decay and periodontal disease? A three prong attack is a good plan.
The first step is to physically remove as much bacteria as possible. An electric toothbrush is a great way to start. An electric toothbrush is far superior to manual brushing simply because the human hand can not move as fast as an electric brush. Electric brushes allow one to do a better job removing plaque in addition to less effort on the part of the brusher (always a win). Removing plaque from in between the teeth and below the gumline is a crucial step in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Helpful tools for removing plaque in these hard to reach areas include: floss, proxabrushes, soft picks, WaterPiks, and/or Air Flossers. Another important area that collects plaque is the tongue. Don’t forget to use a tongue scraper daily.
The second step in keeping bacterial numbers low is to add a chemical component. There are many different options for mouthwashes available. One of our favorites is Tooth and Gum Tonic. It is an all natural mouthwash that is great for daily maintenance. It is made of essential oils and herbs. It contains no harsh ingredients that will cause sloughing of the inner lining of the cheeks.
The third step is to have a healthy diet. This allows the body’s immune system to do its job and heal the body. Eating healthy foods such as apples, celery, and other crunchy foods also have a slight cleansing effect on the teeth. A healthy diet does not include processed sugar which is a significant factor in tooth decay.
Now, that we have a clean plan, let’s go win the war against plaque.
