06-19-2025
Do your teeth feel like they have a rough, gritty film on them? Most likely, that’s plaque. Dental plaque is a normal byproduct of eating and drinking. If left untreated, it can lead to a wide variety of other problems, including tartar build-up, cavities, and gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis. In this article, we discuss what causes dental plaque, how to prevent it from building up on your teeth, and the best way to remove it, so that it doesn’t cause more serious issues.
Key Takeaways
- Dental plaque is a sticky, colorless, or pale-yellow film that forms on your teeth when bacteria, food particles, and saliva interact in your mouth.
- When plaque builds up, it hardens into tartar. While you can remove plaque by practicing good oral hygiene habits, like brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once, tartar can only be removed by a dental professional.
- Dental plaque buildup is caused by sugary or starchy foods and drinks. It gets worse due to poor oral hygiene habits, dry mouth, and smoking tobacco, which increases the rate of plaque deposition.
- The best way to remove dental plaque is by brushing with an electric toothbrush at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash. It’s important to visit your dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning and checkup.
- Prevent plaque from building up on your teeth and gums by maintaining a good oral hygiene routine, limiting sugary and starchy foods in your diet, and avoiding smoking and chewing tobacco.
What Is Dental Plaque?
Dental plaque is a sticky, colorless, or pale-yellow film of bacteria that forms on your teeth.
Plaque can lead to bigger problems in your mouth by:
Bacteria forming plaque produce lactic acid that can demineralize the protective enamel on your teeth
Accumulating to form tartar, which can lead to gum disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis
Thankfully, you can remove plaque and prevent it from hardening into tartar by maintaining a good oral hygiene routine. Tartar, on the other hand, can only be removed safely and effectively by a dental professional.
Keep reading to learn what causes dental plaque, so you have a better idea of how to prevent it.
What Causes Dental Plaque?
Bacteria
A variety of species of bacteria live in your mouth and can cause dental plaque. When bacteria interacts with the foods you eat and the saliva in your mouth, it creates a soft, sticky film that we call plaque.
You can never remove the biofilm completely — oral biofilms are physiologically and structurally organized groups of microbial communities naturally present in the mouth — but you can brush, floss, and rinse away the byproducts of that bacteria for better oral health.
Sugary, Starchy Foods
Another major cause of dental plaque is the amount of sugary, starchy foods and beverages you eat and drink.
Examples include:
Soft drinks
Juice
Candy
Bread
Pasta
Potatoes
Citrus fruits
Tomatoes
Coffee
Tea
Dried fruit
Cheese
Milk
Ice Cream
These foods contribute to plaque growth by providing glucose for bacteria to proliferate and accumulate, which creates a favorable environment for plaque formation and buildup.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene allows plaque to run rampant in your mouth, create tartar, and lead to gum diseases.
Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and rinsing with mouthwash is the best way to remove plaque, prevent new plaque from forming, and keep cavities, gingivitis, and other dental issues from becoming bigger issues.
However, even with a good oral hygiene routine, conditions in your mouth may contribute to plaque formation.
Dry Mouth
Saliva helps wash away food particles and neutralize the acids in your mouth that can lead to plaque formation and tooth decay. A lack of saliva — a condition known as dry mouth —increases the risk of plaque buildup.
Symptoms include:
Stickiness in your mouth
Thick saliva
Difficulty chewing and swallowing
Burning or tingling in your mouth
Dry lips
Bad breath
Dry mouth is a medical condition, so talk to a doctor or dentist about possible treatments. In the meantime, try rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash at least twice a day (or as directed by a dentist) for symptom relief for up to four hours.
Smoking and Chewing Tobacco
In addition to medical conditions, lifestyle choices can contribute to plaque buildup.
For example, smoking and chewing tobacco impairs your body’s ability to fight infection, reduces blood flow to the gums, and hinders tissue repair. This impairment makes it much harder for your body to fight off plaque by itself.
How to Remove Plaque and Prevent Plaque Buildup
Now that you know causes and symptoms, you can tackle plaque head on. Keep reading for some of the best ways to maintain your oral hygiene.
Brush Your Teeth with an Electric Toothbrush
One of the best ways to prevent plaque buildup is to brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush.
Remember to brush twice a day for at least two minutes each time, and use a toothpaste made with stannous fluoride.
Floss Daily
In addition to brushing, flossing at least once a day can help remove food and plaque from between your teeth.
Use an Antibacterial Mouthwash
To top off your good oral hygiene routine, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash to penetrate below the gum line and into the crevices where plaque likes to hide.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Maintaining a healthy diet helps prevent plaque bacteria from accumulating in your mouth. Limit sugary, starchy foods, and eat a good balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein.
Get Regular Professional Cleanings and Checkups
As we’ve covered, you can do a lot of things at home to prevent plaque buildup in your mouth. But as diligent as you are with your oral care routing, you can never remove all of the plaque in your mouth and inevitably some tartar build-up forms over time which cannot be removed by you at home.
For that, you’ll need to visit a dentist for a professional cleaning. See your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup to make sure you’re not suffering from any underlying issues.
Say Goodbye to Dental Plaque with Oral-B
Plaque is the beginning stage of many dental issues. The good news is with the right oral hygiene routine, you can remove plaque from your teeth and prevent it from developing into tartar and causing cavities, gingivitis, and other problems.
The best way to remove plaque is with an electric toothbrush, like those from the Oral-B iO Series. The iO Series delivers a gentle yet effective clean and features an interactive color display, smart modes, and a smart pressure sensor to help you brush better.
An electric brush combined with a stannous fluoride toothpaste, antibacterial mouthwash, and a good flossing routine can prevent plaque buildup and deliver a professional clean feeling every day.
Sources
About the Author
Francesca Dusio is an Italian registered dentist with a strong international background and a passion for integrating business with dentistry working in the Oral Care industry. She graduated in Dentistry from the University of Turin, Italy and holds a Master of Science in Dental Science as well as a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. Currently, Francesca is pursuing a Master’s in Orthodontics to further enhance her expertise in dentistry. Francesca has developed a diverse skill set through her work as a Professional & Scientific Relations Manager at Procter & Gamble, where she focuses on scientific communication and training for sales teams. She has managed a team of Clinical Experts and organized various educational conferences, built strong relationships with universities and scientific societies. She is dedicated to continuous learning and is passionate about improving oral health through research and education. Francesca has been partnering with the team at Oral-B by fact-checking and reviewing our blogs on dental health. You can find a list of the blogs Francesca has approved below:
FAQs
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