Dental plaque begins to form inside the mouth and between the teeth as a yellow, pale and sticky substance. The substance begins to form over time if your oral routine isn’t strong enough.
Simply brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day isn’t enough to be considered a strong oral routine. What you feed inside the mouth is also important because dental plaque forms from food.
Your teeth are at risk when dental plaque builds up, which is a sign that dental plaque can become dangerous.
The Dangers of Dental Plaque
Dental plaque can become dangerous if it progresses inside the mouth without any treatment being applied. Learn more here about its causes and treatments.
Here’s how dental plaque can become dangerous:
Enamel Attack
Dental plaque contains acidic particles which remove the minerals your enamel needs to keep your teeth strong. This is what’s known as enamel erosion, where tiny openings can lead to harmful bacteria to penetrate. Through enamel erosion, the bacteria and acid reach the dentin, exposing your teeth to staining and damage to your smile.

Cavities
During enamel erosion, the tiny openings lead to holes forming within the centre of your teeth. This is what’s known as a cavity. There is a combination of factors aside from enamel erosion that can cause cavities: harmful bacteria, sugars and acid, three ingredients that form from plaque build-up.
Tooth Decay
When the enamel breaks down, pockets of decay develop on the tooth surface. This happens through an acid attack to the tooth structure. The harmful bacteria, plaque converts the sugar into acids which can lead to tooth loss and weakened bone density.
Pressed Nerves
When tooth decay develops, the harmful bacteria and acid penetrate through the teeth into the inner pulp containing nerves and blood vessels. The decay causes the pulp to become swollen. The nerves become pressed and cause severe discomfort. This can also extend into the tooth root and your bone and, eventually, be considered a dead tooth.

These dangers tell you that dental plaque can become dangerous. The simplest and most effective way to reduce dangerous plaque build-up is by making sure you perform a strong oral routine that contains the following:
- Brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, removing all food debris to keep the mouth clean
- Eat more calcium-rich foods to remineralize your enamel for a whiter smile
- Perform tongue scraping to remove landing bacteria that builds up after a meal
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water after a meal through the day
- Use mouthwash to keep plaque levels low
- Regularly visit the dentist for a check-up appointment every six months for scale-and-polish treatment and recommendations for quality oral hygiene
Seeking a local dentist for a check-up appointment to remove dental plaque off your teeth? Contact us here and we’d be happy to help.