5 secrets to fighting plaque

Our teeth should be very important to us.  It was once thought that good tooth care meant good oral health and nothing more.  But today's medical research is showing us differently.  Many health problems such heart problems, diabetes and even neurological conditions are thought to begin in the mouth.  Many doctors are working in conjunction with dentists to diagnose serious conditions such as these and many others before they become life threatening.  What this means is that taking good care of your teeth can literally mean the difference between a good healthy quality of life or just the opposite.  Where once dentists were really nothing more than tooth pullers today's dentists have an array of tools in their arsenals to help preserve teeth throughout their patient's lifetimes.  But patients must be willing to commit to a lifetime of good and consistent oral hygiene.  It is only through this partnership that most people are able to have the teeth stay healthy.  Yet many people continue to experience chronic problems with their teeth.  The mainstay of these problems is labeled under tooth decay, cavities, and erosion of tooth enamel.  These are all contributed to by the buildup of plaque on the teeth.  By constantly fighting plaque in the mouth and not allowing it to build up on the teeth most people can spare themselves a lifetime of pain and expense and constant trips to the dentist. Some studies even indicate that the filling of tooth cavities (caused by plaque) costs more than the costs involved in heart disease.   Tooth decay can occur on several surfaces of the teeth.  The outside of the tooth may be affected, near the gum or even in between teeth.   Here are 5 secrets for fighting plaque-

1.    Limit the number of sugary foods you consume.  High amounts of sugar are especially found in carbohydrate foods.  Examples of these foods are any sweets, biscuits, pastries, buns, cakes and sticky breakfast bars.  Any food that sticks to the teeth probably has a high amount of sugar.  The sugar that adheres to the teeth provides food for the bacteria that lives in dental plaque.  The bacteria use sugar that is in the residue of carbohydrates to multiply. This process also causes a fermentation process that produces acid that eats into tooth enamel and causes cavities.  The longer this process is allowed to come into contact with the teeth the greater amount of acid that is produced and the more potential for damage to the teeth. 
2.    Making saliva helps fight plaque.  Saliva has some ability to counteract the effect of the acid produced by the bacteria.  It also contains minerals that help repair tooth enamel from some damage.  To help stimulate saliva eat foods that do not contain sugars and need to be chewed. Some studies indicate that chewing gum containing xylitol (a sweetener with antimicrobial properties) may temporarily suppress bacteria that cause tooth decay.  But the wise consumer should take note that chewing just any gum does not have this effect.
3.    Maintain good oral hygiene with consistent brushing.  Dentists recommend that brushing should occur at minimum twice daily for about 3-4 minutes.  Many people find this easiest to work into a daily routine with morning brushing and right before bed. 
4.    Use toothpaste with fluoride.  Fluoride has the best chance of fighting the bacteria that forms plaque.  By using fluoride in toothpaste combined with twice daily brushing any residual forming plaque can be dislodged before causing to much damage.
5.    Incorporate flossing into good oral hygiene.  Dentist report that this is the most often overlooked step in preventing plaque and the resultant tooth decay.  The dental recommendation is for flossing to occur at least once a day.  This will help dislodge bacteria and plaque that has formed between teeth and cannot be reached any other way.