When it comes to your oral health, there is a hidden danger in your mouth that you come into contact with every day. Biofilm, or more commonly known as plaque, is a yellowish, slimy film that accumulates on the teeth. When the buildup is not removed, it can cause cavities and gum disease to develop. Removing biofilm from the teeth requires brushing and flossing your teeth, as well as visiting your dentist in Norwalk every six months for a dental cleaning and checkup.
What is Biofilm?
Biofilm is simply unavoidable as it forms when bacteria clings to the surface of watery environments. Due to your saliva production, the slimy, sticky substance will develop on your teeth. Essentially, free-swimming bacteria cells land on the surface of your teeth, where they form clusters. These clusters begin to create a gooey substance while causing one another to multiply to form a microcolony. This further increases the development of bacteria as the microcolonies have the perfect environment in the mouth to multiply. The film contains disease-causing bacteria that must be removed with oral hygiene and preventive dental care or gum disease and cavities will form.
How Can I Remove Biofilm?
It is essential to your oral health that biofilm is removed from your teeth each day. If the accumulations are not removed, your saliva will combine with the plaque to form an acid, which eats away at enamel to cause cavities. In addition, the bacteria found in the film can infect the gums, causing periodontal disease.
To remove the buildup, you need to brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush all the surfaces of your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste. Even with the best brushing methods, it is not enough to fully rid biofilm from the teeth. You also need to floss your teeth daily.
Use an ADA-approved dental floss to clean in between the teeth and around the gum line where your toothbrush cannot reach. Use about 18 inches of dental floss to insert the floss between two teeth. Then, form a “C” shape around a tooth and gently slide the floss to the gum line and back up to the crown of the tooth. Repeat the process for each tooth.
While home oral hygiene is very effective for preventing the damaging effects of biofilm, it is only half of the prevention you need. You need to schedule an appointment with your Norwalk dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning and checkup. We will remove any areas of plaque or tarter you may have missed with brushing and flossing. In addition, we will check the health of your teeth to detect cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems early.
If you tend to have a problem with plaque development, we may recommend the use of an antibacterial mouth rinse to further help prevent the buildup. If you need a dental checkup and cleaning or need assistance decreasing biofilm, contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
