Is there a cure for plaque with diabetes?

The best way to prevent plaque is through good oral health care, including brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing once daily, and seeing your dentist regularly for cleanings and screenings. Diabetics are at greater risk for gum disease, which is caused by plaque, so it is especially important to maintain good oral health care.

Your teeth are covered with a sticky film called plaque that can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. Plaque contains bacteria, which following a meal or snack containing sugar can release acids that attack tooth enamel. Repeated attacks can cause the enamel to break down, eventually resulting in cavities. Plaque that is not removed with thorough daily brushing and cleaning between teeth can eventually harden into calculus or tartar. This makes it more difficult to keep your teeth clean.

There is no cure for plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that adheres to the teeth of everone. Plaque comprises debris, food particles and bacteria. The only way to get rid of plaque is to brush your teeth twice a day.  Even after brushing and flossing your teeth, the plaque begins to stick to the teeth again. If you fail to brush and floss your teeth each day, the plaque gets thicker and may calcify to form tartar. Only your dentist and dental hygienist can remove tartar, using special tools to scrape it off the teeth. Brushing your teeth regularly is the best way to get rid of plaque early on before it turns into tartar.