Effective Ways to Remove Dental Plaque: Brushing, Flossing, and More

When we brush our teeth, what we don’t typically know is that there will always be some areas where our toothbrush cannot reach—and that’s where dental plaque usually builds up.  Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. 

Having dental plaque is just normal, but letting it build up may lead to serious dental issues, like cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. While that can be a horror, the good news is there are numerous effective ways to keep those plaque build-ups at bay.  

Let’s take a look at what these techniques are so you can do it at home and make your teeth healthy! 

What Is Dental Plaque and Why Should You Remove It? 

Dental plaque is a soft, white sticky film of bacteria that builds up on the teeth.  . When this film of bacteria on the teeth mix with the foods and drinks that we eat, it produces acid which damages your teeth and creates cavities. 

If the plaque build-up clings to your teeth long enough, it will harden into tartar which can not be safely removed at home.  This hard tartar is the cause of gum infections and gum disease (one of the main reasons why adults lose their teeth). That’s why removing it is a must!

Luckily, keeping plaque under control doesn’t require expensive treatments—just proper care and consistency. 

The Importance of Brushing and Flossing for Dental Plaque Removal 

Brushing Plaque: The Right Technique Matters 

Now, we all know that brushing your teeth twice a day is the foundation of good oral hygiene. But brushing religiously twice a day does not make the cut—it also matters how you do it.  

Here’s how you should do it: 

• Use a Soft Toothbrush:
  A soft-bristled toothbrush gives a soft touch to your gums while being effective at brushing plaque off your teeth. Hard bristles may actually damage your enamel and your gums. 

• Brush in Small Circular Motions:
  Use small, circular motions to clean the surface of your teeth thoroughly. Don’t forget to brush the back of your teeth and along the gum line because these are some of the areas where plaque tends to clump up. 

• Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly:
  Change your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if the bristles fray. Using worn-out bristles does not do the work well anymore, which makes it less effective at removing dental plaque. 

Cleaning Plaque Between Teeth 

What many people don’t know is that brushing only cleans the surfaces of your teeth, but it doesn’t reach between them. That’s where interdental cleaning comes in. 

Why Cleaning in Between the Teeth Matters 

Plaque loves to hide between your teeth, which makes interdental brushes and flossing an important step for a complete clean. Without interdental cleaning, plaque in these tight spaces can lead to cavities and gum problems and may even be a cause for bad breath. 

How to Floss Properly 

Take about 45 cm of dental floss, wrap it around your fingers, and gently slide it between your teeth. Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth to remove plaque effectively. Make sure you the floss goes underneath the gums. 

Use Interdental Brushes for Extra Cleaning 

Have you been in a pharmacy and seen those little sticks that have bristles on one end and come in packs? Those are interdental brushes! Interdental brushes are small, specialised tools that clean in between the teeth.  These can be more effective than floss for many people.  

Interdental brushes are particularly helpful if you have larger spaces or find traditional floss challenging to use. These brushes complement your brushing and flossing routine, ensuring thorough dental plaque removal. 

Do Mouthwashes Help with Plaque Removal? 

While mouthwashes can freshen your breath, they are not a substitute for brushing and flossing when it comes to removing dental plaque. Rinsing with mouthwash alone won’t clean plaque off your teeth or from between them. 

Instead, consider mouthwash as a mouth perfume to be used after eating pungent foods like garlic and onions.  We generally don’t recommend mouth wash to be used at the same time as brushing as it will rinse away the benefit of the toothpaste.

The Role of Diet in Reducing Dental Plaque 

Eat Whole Foods for Cleaner Teeth 

Did you know that your diet plays a big role in dental plaque formation? Whole foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables, naturally help clean your teeth while you chew. The fibrous texture acts like a natural toothbrush, scrubbing away plaque and food particles. 

• Switch to Fresh Snacks:
  Instead of reaching for processed snacks like chips or biscuits, choose crunchy fruits, like apples, or raw vegetables, like carrots. 

Avoid Processed Foods 

Processed foods are full of sugars and chemicals that cling to your teeth, which makes them harder to clean. Over time, this can lead to more dental plaque and tooth decay. 

• Replace packet snacks with whole, unprocessed options for a cleaner mouth and a healthier diet. 

Stay Hydrated 

Bacteria love feeding on food particles, which will then lead to producing acids in your mouth. These acids will attack the tooth enamel and damage them, leading to tooth decay. Drinking water throughout the day helps wash away food particles and bacteria, keeping plaque levels low and preventing decay from happening. 

Adopt Healthy Habits for Long-Term Success 

The most important solution to keeping dental plaque from building up is consistency.  Here are some tips from our dental professionals that will help you keep your teeth healthy for the long term: 

• Brush and floss daily: These habits are the foundation of good oral hygiene, so make sure to stick to them. 

• Stay hydrated: Drinking water helps wash away food particles and supports saliva production, which naturally combats plaque. Water is not only for your physical well-being but also for your dental health. 

• Visit your dentist regularly: One of the most important yet overlooked advice is to pay a visit to your dentist regularly. Your dentist will help you keep your teeth thriving with treatments like professional cleaning. Professional cleanings can remove hardened tartar that brushing and flossing alone can’t tackle. 

Take Charge of Your Oral Health 

Anyone can get dental plaque in between their teeth, but not everyone has the determination to put in effort when taking care of their oral health. These tips and guides are here to support you in keeping your oral health doing good—it’s your consistency that makes it thrive.  

So, are you ready to take the next step in caring for your smile? Whitehorse Dental is here to help you remove dental plaque from your teeth with a check-up and clean. Our dentist will take a closer look at your mouth to get an overview of the situation, then give your teeth a good clean-up to ensure dental plaque removal. 

Book a professional dental cleaning with our team today at Whitehorse Dental.