Plaque build-up?

[Gerie]

No matter how much I brush and floss my teeth, I have way too much plaque building up between dental visits. Are there additional tricks I can do at home to help?

[Dr Ehsan J. Esfahani]

Hello Gerie,

Thank you for your post.

Plaque build-up can be due to different reasons. It can be due to the difficulty in cleaning overcrowded and misaligned teeth. Teeth alignment with clear aligners (Invisalign) or fixed braces can help resolve this problem. It can be due to an ineffective brushing and flossing technique. It can be due to not brushing the teeth long enough or due to using a brush which is old and needs replacing. Some power toothbrushes have a timer to ensure the correct number of minutes is spent brushing. Plaque disclosing tablets can be given to you by your dentist, gum specialist or hygienist and this can be used after brushing to identify the tooth surfaces that have not been cleaned adequately. Plaque disclosing tablets highlight plaque on a tooth surface which can then be cleaned off. We also recommend chemical removal of plaque from tooth surfaces and gums with a suitable fluoride containing mouthwash. Interdental brushes are also very useful in removing plaque from hard to reach areas such as between teeth.