Dental Dilemmas: Unseen Plaque Buildup And The Havoc It Can Cause

Seems like something so insignificant, doesn’t it?

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Brushing your teeth is something that we all should do, but just 50% of Americans floss daily, and only about half of Americans (men and women) brush twice a day, with 52% of men and 45% of women having gingivitis.

If that sounds surprising, it’s because it is. The fact is, there is a good chance you already have health problems because of insufficient or low-quality brushing and flossing. Here’s how that poor oral hygiene is affecting your health.

Why Discoloration Happens

Bacteria can cause tooth discoloration, but some amount of discoloration happens from the food you eat and is totally normal. So, how do you tell which is which and what’s harmful? Over time, you will notice plaque building up. The presence of this plaque indicates that there’s a problem. Unfortunately, the tartar and resulting buildup of calculus is very difficult to remove.

Usually, you will need a dentist to remove it for you. By that time, there may be some inflammation that causes bleeding when your brush or floss.

By this point, you have a mild form of gum disease. If you don’t take care of it, it will only get worse. And, it could cause serious health issues.

Why You Can Die From Poor Oral Hygiene

When bacteria become lodged in your gums, they can migrate into your bloodstream. If this happens, they can cause serious health issues like heart disease, a stroke, diseases of the liver and kidneys, and even septicemia (which kills you very quickly, usually within days).

Unfortunately, if you do not take care of your teeth, some of these illnesses can progress rapidly to a point where they become irreversible.

For example, bacteria from inflammation of the gums enters your bloodstream, travels to the arteries, and causes plaque to form (just like it does on your teeth). Atherosclerosis is the medical term for this process. It is a literal hardening of the arteries. It blocks blood flow to your heart and the rest of your body. It can also cause increased risk of a heart attack or stroke.

The inner lining of your heart may also become infected or inflamed. This process is called endocarditis.

But, it gets worse. You may end up with dementia. The bacteria from gingivitis may enter your brain through nerve channels in the head or the blood. Once the bacteria enter, they can deposit plaque on and around your brain, which is associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

You can suffer chronic respiratory infections. According to the Journal of Periodontology, gum disease can cause infections of your lungs, including pneumonia.

Yet another problem is diabetic complications. When bacteria inflame the gum tissue, it can make it much more difficult to control your blood sugar levels. You may become pre-diabetic and, if you have diabetes, it can make it worse.

Tooth Decay And Oral Hygiene

Plaque contains many different acidic properties which will eat away at your enamel. This increases your risk of cavities and can lead to dental sensitivity. Bacteria that inhabit plaque release waste products that are acidic. This is compounded by the acid in your food, if you’re eating and drinking sugary or acidic foods.

Decay can impact everything from tooth loss to your overall look, how you chew and your speech and jaw alignment.

Much of the problem starts with tartar. Even if you think you’re doing a great job taking care of your teeth right now, odds are you are missing small bits of tartar that have built up over time. You still have bacteria in your mouth, and you always will. They mix with proteins in your saliva and feast on food particles and byproducts to form a sticky film.

This is called dental plaque. This plaque can contain minerals, like magnesium, calcium, and other minerals which then harden on your tooth’s surface.

As more of this builds up, it becomes harder and harder to clean to the point where brushing and flossing will not remove any more debris or tartar. Eventually, it will lead to gum disease.

Gum Disease Is A Real Problem

If you’ve never thought about getting dental insurance, you should visit mydental.guardianlife.com and at least check it out. One of the most common health conditions that can be fixed by a quick trip to the dentist is gum disease. It’s something most Americans experience at some point in their lives and yet it’s totally preventable.

Gum disease occurs when bacteria lodge themselves in dental pockets that lie between your tooth and gum. The bacteria then start to form plaque, which then irritates the gum, and causes inflammation. This inflammation then causes other health problems.
But, long before this happens, you will notice symptoms, like sensitive teeth, loose teeth, and bleeding gums when you floss or brush.

Hollie Sanderson is a student at dental school. She enjoys the subject and really looks forward to the day she is qualified. Until then, she writes dental related articles, sharing her knowledge with the public.