How to Remove Plaque: Daily Habits That Work and When to See Your Dentist

Do you have plaque? The plaque on your teeth is colourless and hard to spot, but you might recognise it as a fuzzy film you can feel with your tongue. While plaque is the result of a normal, natural process, you must remove it before it causes harm. 

Why is it important to prevent plaque and know how to clean plaque from teeth? Dental plaque is a key driver of preventable oral diseases. Taking daily steps to disrupt the formation of plaque is one of the most important things you can do for good health and personal hygiene.  

Learn how to remove plaque from teeth at home, how to avoid plaque build-up, and when to see your dentist with this guide from our trusted Dubai dental professionals at New Ivory Dental and Implant Clinic.

Key Takeaways

• We all get plaque; it’s a normal reaction between natural bacteria, food and saliva.
• Plaque should be removed twice daily through brushing to avoid troublesome build-up.
• Electric toothbrushes and water flossers help fight plaque effectively. 
• You should visit your dentist regularly for professional scaling and polishing to help prevent the negative effects of plaque.

Table of Contents

1. What Is Dental Plaque?
2. How to Remove Plaque from Teeth
3. Electric Toothbrush vs. Manual Toothbrush for Plaque
4. Water Flosser vs. Traditional Floss: How to Get Rid of Plaque Between Teeth
5. Fluoride Mouthwash and Toothpastes for Plaque
6. How to Remove Plaque: Frequently Asked Questions
7. New Ivory Dental and Implant Clinic

What Is Dental Plaque?

Dental plaque is a biofilm of bacteria that covers your teeth. Plaque forms when microorganisms interact with your saliva and food particles to create a soft, sticky substance. Plaque bacteria attack the protective enamel on your teeth. This demineralisation contributes to a wide range of dental diseases and problems.

Over time, plaque will harden into tartar if not properly removed. Tartar is hard, rough and difficult to remove. It is vital to remove plaque before it causes tartar and further problems. The issues caused by leaving plaque on teeth include swollen gums, cavities, and persistent bad breath.   

How to Remove Plaque from Teeth

Taking steps to remove plaque and prevent build-up should become a daily habit. 

The best way to remove plaque before it has the chance to form a damaging film is by following these three simple steps:

1. Brush at least 2 times a day – Twice-daily brushing using effective brushing methods and a fluoride toothpaste
2. Clean between your teeth – Daily interdental cleaning and flossing
3. Visit your dentist regularly – Regular professional dental cleaning 

Effective self-care at home can minimise the build-up of dental plaque. However, only your dentist or hygienist can safely remove plaque that has mineralised into tartar.

On your dentist’s recommendation, you may be advised to use mouthwash with fluoride and a proven antimicrobial capability. However, proper brushing should always be the primary line of attack against plaque build-up. 

Electric Toothbrush vs. Manual Toothbrush for Plaque

At New Ivory Dental and Implant Clinic, our veteran hygienists recommend using an electric toothbrush, if possible. While manual toothbrushing can be just as effective, most people will brush and remove plaque more effectively and efficiently with an electric toothbrush. If you are using a manual toothbrush, you will need to pay even more careful attention to your technique.

Regardless of brush type, make sure you clean every surface of every tooth twice per day. That means brushing the backs of your teeth, all chewing surfaces, and the fronts of your teeth.

Water Flosser vs. Traditional Floss: How to Get Rid of Plaque Between Teeth

Interdental cleaning and flossing are vital for plaque prevention because they prevent plaque build-up between teeth that won’t be removed by regular toothbrushing. 

We recommend water flossers as the most effective way to remove plaque between teeth. Water flossers target jets of water into difficult-to-reach places to flush out plaque, along with food debris and bacteria that cause it. Water flossers effectively remove plaque from both between teeth and at the gumline. 

Water flossers are also excellent tools for those with implants, crowns and bridges, and orthodontic treatment patients with braces, as these treatments can make keeping your teeth clean and free of plaque a little more difficult.  

Fluoride Mouthwash and Toothpastes for Plaque

Fluoride toothpastes are central to your plaque prevention strategy. Look for a toothpaste that contains at least 1350 ppm for adults. Spit, but don’t rinse after brushing, as this will help you maintain a protective reservoir of fluoride. 

Your dentist may support the use of fluoride mouthwash, but dental guidelines suggest this is most useful when proper brushing techniques are difficult to achieve. 

How to Remove Plaque: Frequently Asked Questions

New Ivory Dental and Implant Clinic

If you brush effectively and keep on top of a flossing and interdental cleaning routine, you will make effective gains at keeping plaque at bay. However, everyone should visit their dentist for regular appointments. Your dentist will tell you how often suits your health and hygiene needs, as requirements vary from person to person. 

At dental cleaning appointments, your dentist can make sure your teeth are as clean as possible, including removing any tartar deposits, and help you with your brushing routine. At our clinic, we use well-established methods like manual and ultrasonic scaling and air polishing to clean and smooth the surface of your teeth. 

To make an appointment with New Ivory Dental and Implant Clinic in Dubai, contact us today.