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How do you effectively prevent plaque/tartar forming on your teeth? (mander.xyz)

submitted 1 year ago by Mothra@mander.xyz to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

77 comments fedilink hide all child comments

My teeth are in good health and I take good care of them, yet I always get this plaque buildup no matter what I try.

I've tried different brushes, toothpastes, and flossing methods to no avail. Mouthwash is too harsh on my mouth and peels my skin off so I avoid that.

I haven't tried waterpicks or electric brushes yet. Did you? Did they work for you? Have you succeeded in preventing plaque and if so, how???

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[–] the_q@lemmy.world 28 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Don't eat sugar

[–] PM_Your_Nudes_Please@lemmy.world 21 points 1 year ago

The top cavity-forming snack is actually Goldfish cheese crackers, IIRC. Because the snack sticks to your teeth really well and carbs get broken down into sugar anyways. Plus kids are worse about picking their teeth clean with their tongue; Adults will absentmindedly pick at their teeth much longer, but kids tend to lose interest quickly and just leave stuff stuck to their teeth. And since goldfish is a common snack for kids, all of that combines into Goldfish being really horrible for causing cavities, particularly in kids.

[+] velox_vulnus@lemmy.ml 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

[deleted]

[–] hddsx@lemmy.ca 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Is sugar acidic? I can deal with coffee black, but if I have to cut coffee as well I will not survive the workday

[–] Talaraine@kbin.social 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Sugar is a primary source of food for the bacteria that make up plaque. If you feed the bacteria, they will grow. As you can't eliminate 100% of the sugar from your diet, teeth care is always going to be required. Less sugar, however, means, slower growth.

Also. Just like dogs have dental chews that help to clean their teeth, eating other non sugar foods can assist with controlling plaque. Vegetables in particular are helpful, but even something like chewing on beef jerky acts as a sort of scrub brush for the outside of the teeth.