Dental health goes well beyond strong teeth and a charming smile. Like your hair and skin, the human mouth mirrors the things happening in your body. Often you can find the consequences of unhealthy lifestyle choices manifesting in your oral cavity. However, it works the other way, too. Poor oral hygiene can have detrimental effects on your overall health. For example, plaque on teeth can lead to decay, gum disease, and even potential heart problems.
Find out how plaque on teeth can lead to serious conditions – and what you can do to keep it under control.
What Is Dental Plaque?
Plaque is a colourless or yellowish film of bacteria that forms over teeth and along the gumline. The bacteria develop when fluids, food particles, and saliva combine, producing acids that destroy tooth enamel. Left untreated, plaque can cause cavities and gingivitis. Worse, it can harden into tartar.
What Is Tartar?
Think of tartar as extreme plaque. It refers to the hard yellow-brown calcified plaque deposits that coat the teeth and gums. Unlike plaque, which you can wash away with diligent toothbrushing, you’ll need a dentist to remove tartar. Untreated tartar leads to gum disease and other serious health concerns.
What Are the Symptoms of Plaque on Teeth?
Everyone has dental plaque – it forms within four to 12 hours after brushing, which is why disciplined oral hygiene practices keep it at bay. You’re in danger of buildup if you’re experiencing the following:
- Fuzzy feeling on the teeth
- Chronic bad bread (halitosis)
- Tooth decay and loss
- Abscessed tooth (infection)
- Receding gum line
- Red, swollen, and tender gums
- Bleeding gums after brushing or flossing
If any of these indicators present themselves, visit your dentist before it worsens.
How Does Plaque on Teeth Affect Your Health?
If you don’t get a handle on oral diseases right away, they can negatively affect the rest of your body. The effect of plaque and tartar extends beyond your periodontal health. Over the years, various research correlates plaque buildup to diseases like dementia, arthritis, and diabetes.
Plaque formation is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.
Research suggests a bidirectional relationship between periodontitis (a severe form of gum disease) and rheumatoid arthritis. At any given point, your body houses trillions of bacteria that are generally beneficial and protective against edema, a symptom of RA. However, bacteria from plaque shifts these microbial communities, potentially stimulating an immune response that triggers swelling.
Plaque impacts brain function.
According to the National Institutes of Health, poor oral hygiene initiates a domino effect. Plaque introduces increased bacteria in the mouth, which may cause inflammation, which may then raise the risk of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. This sequence of events could lead to dementia.
Remember how plaque on teeth can lead to gum disease and tooth loss? The report also notes a direct relationship between tooth loss, particularly in senior citizens, and cognitive incline. Those missing more teeth have a 48% higher risk of cognitive impairment and a 28% higher risk of dementia.
Gum disease and diabetes have a painful relationship.
Gum disease and diabetes have a two-way relationship. People suffering from less-than-optimal sugar levels are more susceptible to dry mouth, cavities, and other oral problems. However, even non-diabetics must be careful. Gum disease can trigger inflammation, which can result in elevated blood glucose. This consequence puts you more at risk for diabetes.
Can dental plaque cause heart problems?
Scientists have long realised a connection between gum disease and heart ailments. While the exact reasons are still unclear, Harvard Health lists several theories that explain the link:
- The bacteria that infect the gums and cause gingivitis and periodontitis travel to the blood vessels. This effect causes swelling and damage, which may trigger heart attacks or strokes.
- Inflammation from the mentioned gum diseases attacks the body’s immune response and sets off vascular damage throughout the body.
- A possible separate variable, such as smoking or a lack of exercise, bridges gum concerns with heart problems.
How to Get Rid of Plaque on Teeth?
Stay on top of plaque on teeth by diligently following a dental hygiene routine:
- Brush twice daily for at least two to three minutes each time. Ask your dentist if they can recommend an electric toothbrush.
- Remember to clean where the gums and teeth meet.
- Choose fluoride-rich toothpaste.
- Use baking soda to help whiten teeth and neutralise cavity-causing acids.
- Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive for removing plaque.
- Make it a habit to floss at least once daily to remove food remnants and bacteria.
- Oral irrigators work as well as regular floss.
- Use antibacterial mouthwash to reduce the risk of gum disease.
- Visit your dentist or oral hygienist every six months for check-ups and cleaning.
Everyone gets plaque on teeth. However, you are more vulnerable to its consequences if you have poor dental hygiene, crooked teeth, or braces. Reduce your risk of decay and damage, book an appointment with your dentist for recommendations.
Oral health and other diseases | FDI. (n.d.).
Corrêa, J. D., Fernandes, G., Calderaro, D. C., De Mendonça, S. M. S., Silva, T. A., Albiero, M. L., Cunha, F. Q., Xiao, E., Ferreira, G. A., Teixeira, A. L., Mukherjee, C., Leys, E. J., & Graves, D. T. (2019). Oral microbial dysbiosis linked to worsened periodontal condition in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Scientific Reports, 9(1).
Tooth loss in older adults linked to higher risk of dementia. (2021, October 5). National Institute on Aging.
Shmerling, R. H., MD. (2021, April 22). Gum disease and the connection to heart disease. Harvard Health.
Afya ya meno ni zaidi ya meno yenye nguvu na tabasamu yenye kuvutia. Kama vile nywele na ngozi, mdomo wa binadamu huonyesha mambo yanayotokea mwilini mwako. Mara nyingi unaweza kuona matokeo ya maisha yasiyo ya afya yakionekana katika mdomo wako. Hata hivyo, inafanya kazi kwa njia nyingine pia. Usafi mbaya wa mdomo waweza kuwa na matokeo mabaya kwa afya yako ya jumla. Kwa mfano, mabaki ya meno yanaweza kusababisha kuoza kwa meno, magonjwa ya taya, na hata matatizo ya moyo. Tafuta jinsi plaque kwenye meno inavyoweza kusababisha hali mbaya <unk> na nini unaweza kufanya ili kuizuia. Matofali ya Meno Ni Nini? Plaque ni filamu ya bakteria isiyo na rangi au ya manjano ambayo hufanyiza juu ya meno na kando ya gumline. Bakteria hizo hutokea wakati umajimaji, chembechembe za chakula, na umajimaji zinapochanganyika, zikitokeza asidi ambazo huharibu enamel ya meno. Ikiwa haitibiwa, plaka yaweza kusababisha mifupa na uvimbe wa matumbo. Jambo baya zaidi ni kwamba, inaweza kuwa ngumu na kuwa na lami. Tatari Ni Nini? Fikiria kuhusu tartar kama mchanga mkali. Inarejelea mabaki magumu ya rangi ya manjano-kahawia yanayofunika meno na taya. Tofauti na plaka, ambayo unaweza kuifuta kwa kutumia mswaki wa meno, utahitaji daktari wa meno ili kuondoa tartar. Tartar isiyotibiwa husababisha ugonjwa wa taya na matatizo mengine makubwa ya afya. Dalili za Kuongezeka kwa Matofali ya Meno Ni Zipi? Kila mtu ana plaque ya meno - hufanyizwa ndani ya masaa manne hadi 12 baada ya kupiga mswaki, na ndiyo sababu mazoea ya usafi wa mdomo yenye nidhamu huizuia. Ikiwa una dalili za dalili za mkojo, kama vile: - hisia ya fuzzy kwenye meno - mkate mbaya wa kudumu (halitosis) - kuoza kwa meno na kupoteza - mkojo (maambukizo) - mstari wa meno unaorudi - nywele nyekundu, zilizofukuka, na nywele nyembamba - nywele zinazotiririka baada ya kupiga mswaki au kutumia kitambaa cha meno - Ikiwa kuna dalili yoyote ya dalili hizi, tembelea daktari wako wa meno kabla ya kuzidi. Je, Plaque Kwenye Meno Huathiri Afya Yako? Ikiwa huwezi kudhibiti magonjwa ya mdomo mara moja, yanaweza kuathiri vibaya mwili wako wote. Matokeo ya plaque na tartar huenea zaidi ya afya yako ya periodontal. Kwa miaka mingi, utafiti mbalimbali umeonyesha kwamba kuenea kwa makunyanzi ya damu husababisha magonjwa kama vile ugonjwa wa akili, ugonjwa wa viungo, na kisukari. Kufanyizwa kwa bamba kunahusiana na ugonjwa wa viungo vya mwili unaoitwa rheumatoid arthritis. Utafiti unaonyesha kwamba kuna uhusiano wa pande mbili kati ya ugonjwa wa meno (aina mbaya ya ugonjwa wa taya) na ugonjwa wa viungo vya nywele. Katika kipindi chochote, mwili wako una trilioni ya bakteria ambazo kwa ujumla ni muhimu na kulinda dhidi ya edema, dalili ya RA. Hata hivyo, bakteria kutoka kwenye madoa hubadili jamii hizo za vijidudu, na hivyo kuchochea mfumo wa kinga ambao husababisha uvimbe. Matofali huathiri utendaji wa ubongo. Kulingana na Taasisi ya Kitaifa ya Afya, usafi mbaya wa mdomo huanzisha athari ya domino. Plaque huongeza bakteria katika mdomo, ambayo inaweza kusababisha uvimbe, ambayo inaweza kuongeza hatari ya plaques beta-amyloid katika ubongo. Mfuatano huo wa matukio waweza kusababisha ugonjwa wa akili. Kumbuka kwamba kuvu kwenye meno kunaweza kusababisha ugonjwa wa taya na kupoteza meno? Ripoti hiyo pia inataja uhusiano wa moja kwa moja kati ya kupoteza meno, hasa kwa wazee, na kupungua kwa uwezo wa kutambua mambo. Kwa wale ambao hawana meno mengi, kuna hatari ya 48% ya kuharibika kwa uwezo wa utambuzi na 28% ya kuharibika kwa akili. Ugonjwa wa nywele na ugonjwa wa kisukari ni uhusiano wa kawaida. Ugonjwa wa nywele na ugonjwa wa kisukari ni uhusiano wa pande mbili. Watu wanaosumbuliwa na viwango vya sukari visivyo vya kawaida huwa na uwezekano mkubwa zaidi wa kuwa na kinywa kavu, mifupa, na matatizo mengine ya mdomo. Hata hivyo, hata wasio na kisukari wanapaswa kuwa waangalifu. Ugonjwa wa nywele unaweza kusababisha uvimbe, ambao unaweza kusababisha kuongezeka kwa sukari ya damu. Matokeo hayo yanakuweka katika hatari kubwa ya kupatwa na ugonjwa wa kisukari. Je, plaque ya meno yaweza kusababisha matatizo ya moyo? Kwa muda mrefu wanasayansi wamegundua uhusiano kati ya magonjwa ya taya na magonjwa ya moyo. Ingawa sababu halisi bado haijulikani, Harvard Health inaorodhesha nadharia kadhaa zinazoelezea uhusiano: - Bakteria ambazo huambukiza nywele na kusababisha gingivitis na periodontitis husafiri hadi mishipa ya damu. Athari hiyo husababisha uvimbe na uharibifu, ambao waweza kusababisha mshtuko wa moyo au kiharusi. - Uvimbe unaosababishwa na magonjwa ya taya yanayotajwa hapo juu huathiri mfumo wa kinga wa mwili na kusababisha uharibifu wa mishipa ya damu mwilini. - uwezekano tofauti variable, kama vile kuvuta sigara au ukosefu wa mazoezi, bridges gum wasiwasi na matatizo ya moyo. Jinsi ya Kuondoa Matofali Kwenye Meno? Kuhifadhi plaque juu ya meno kwa kufuata kwa bidii utaratibu wa usafi wa meno: - Brush mara mbili kwa siku kwa angalau dakika mbili hadi tatu kila wakati. Uliza daktari wako wa meno ikiwa anaweza kukupendekeza mswaki wa meno wa umeme. - Kumbuka kusafisha mahali ambapo meno na taya hukutana. - Chagua dawa ya meno yenye fluoridi nyingi. - Tumia soda ya kuoka ili kusaidia kupiga rangi meno na kuondoa asidi zinazosababisha maporomoko ya meno. - Baking soda hufanya kazi kama dawa laini ya kuondoa makovu. - Fanya zoea la kutumia kitambaa cha kumwagilia nguo angalau mara moja kwa siku ili kuondoa mabaki ya chakula na bakteria. - Vifaa vya kunyunyizia kinywa hufanya kazi kama vile kitambaa cha kawaida. - Tumia maji ya kuosha kinywa yenye dawa za kuua bakteria ili kupunguza hatari ya ugonjwa wa taya. - Tembelea daktari wako wa meno au daktari wa usafi wa mdomo kila baada ya miezi sita kwa ajili ya uchunguzi na kusafisha. Kila mtu hupata mchanga kwenye meno. Hata hivyo, unaweza kuathiriwa zaidi ikiwa huna usafi wa meno, meno yako ni magumu, au una vifaa vya kunyoosha meno. Ili kupunguza hatari ya kuharibika kwa meno, ni muhimu kuweka tarehe ya kukutana na daktari wako wa meno. Afya ya mdomo na magonjwa mengine _ FDI. (N.d.). "Mkubwa wa majaribio, M.C. de Mendonça, M.C. de Silva, M.C. de Silva, M.C. de Lula, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C. de Cunha, M.C." Dysbiosis ya mdomo ya vijidudu inayohusiana na hali mbaya ya periodontal katika wagonjwa wa ugonjwa wa arthritis ya rheumatoid. Ripoti za kisayansi, 9 (1) Kupoteza meno kwa watu wazima wazee kunahusiana na hatari kubwa ya ugonjwa wa akili. (Mwanzo 20, 2021) Taasisi ya Kitaifa ya Kuzeeka. Shmerling, R. H., MD (Kutoka 20 Aprili, 2021) Ugonjwa wa nywele na uhusiano na ugonjwa wa moyo Afya ya Harvard.