A little yellowish plaque on teeth is common and almost all people have little deposits of plaque in their mouth. But what if the plaque deposits are not yellow but orange in colour.
Orange plaque on teeth maybe a completely new thing for you but it’s also completely normal. If you want to find more about ornage plaque then keep in reading this article
Orange Plaque on Teeth
You are a foodie who loves to eat different foods and try new recipes daily, or maybe you are a writer or doctor who survives on coffee just like me.
You enjoy your life regularly until the day you start noticing permanent coffee or food stains on your teeth which lower your confidence, and you start to hesitate while smiling.
Most people have stains and plaque on their teeth because of poor oral hygiene. Unlike other people, you notice plaque on your teeth, but the thing which makes you different is the presence of orange plaque on your teeth.
If you are beauty conscious you may wonder what are the causes of staining on teeth are and why plaque turns orange, so here are some factors that affect your teeth’ health and lead to plaque formation.
What Can Cause Tooth Discoloration?
Teeth discoloration and plaque accumulation are abnormal and are caused by different factors such as bad dietary habits, aging injuries, and poor oral hygiene. Some of the factors which promote the growth of plaque on teeth are.
Dietary Habits and Addiction
There are some types of foods that are completely safe for teeth, while on the other hand, some foods can penetrate the outer layers of your teeth and can stain your teeth permanently. Some of the most common foods which stain teeth are
- Coffee and tea
- Red wine
- Chocolate
- Tobacco
- Different sauces with added dyes
Most people in America either smoke or drink frequently; also, tobacco is used in the form of cigarettes or chewing tobacco. Both are the main cause of mouth cancer, tooth discoloration, and plaque buildup.
Different research conducted on smokers has proven that there is a high prevalence of plaque formation and tooth diseases in smokers over non-smokers.
Another research on human psychology also claims that smokers are more dissatisfied with their looks, especially stained teeth.
Smoking tobacco continuously changes the pH of the mouth to acidic pH permanently, which dissolves enamel, and micropores are developed by which stains penetrate more easily.
Age and Other Factors
With increasing age, more death tracks develop in the pulp, by which teeth become more brittle and are stained more easily.
Also, some injuries damage the nerves of teeth, and the teeth become discolored permanently.
Also, some drugs interfere with the normal mechanism of tooth formation. Taking such drugs in childhood when your teeth develop can lead to permanent discoloration. One such antibiotic is tetracycline.
What is Causing the Plaque to Turn Orange?
Orange plaque is an extrinsic stain on your teeth, and it’s not intrinsic. It means there is no need to worry as the stain comes from an external source, not from any internal infection.
Most of the time, the Orange stains are because of the food you eat, like any food with a hint of orange hues like oranges, orange-flavored ice cream, and spicy snacks like Cheetos flaming hot.
If you have plaque on your teeth and eat such colored foods, then in most cases, plaque will pick up the color of the food. The main contributing factor to changing plaque color is chromogenic bacteria residing in plaque.
The bacteria quickly absorb the color and appear bright orange.
How to Prevent Plaque Formation?
You can prevent plaque formation and permanent teeth staining even if you eat your favorite pigmented foods.
Just make sure that if you plan to go for drinks like red wine or coffee, brush your teeth immediately and remove any debris. If it is not possible at that moment, then you can simply swish your mouth with water, which can help you remove some particles that can stay in your teeth.
You can also go for gum strengthening dentifrices if you are at high risk of gingivitis. If you are not sure which toothpaste you can go for, then you can take a look at 6 Best Gum Repair Toothpaste – Spring 2022 (Reviews & Buying Guide)
Practice Good Oral Health
Another factor that can also affect plaque formation is good oral hygiene. If you brush your teeth two times a day using mouthwash and flossing daily, then there is a minimum risk of plaque accumulation.
If you are at risk of plaque formation, try using a water flosser instead of a manual flosser and an electric toothbrush instead of a manual one. Also, try to brush and floss with the appropriate techniques described by the American Dental Association.
Modify your Habits
We all have developed one or more bad dietary habits or addictions because of work stress or other reasons. If you are also someone who drinks coffee, chews betel nuts and tobacco, or is a chain smoker, talk to your doctor about it.
You also must limit the food and beverages you think can stain your teeth.
In the beginning, it is a very hard decision to make, and you must suffer a lot, especially if you are a nicotine addict.
You can always keep a brush on hand and use it immediately after eating, drinking, or using any such thing which is a potential teeth stainer. It will help to minimize the risk of orange plaque and stained teeth.
FAQs
After how much time is plaque formed on teeth?
Plaque is formed immediately on teeth after eating and converted into tartar after 24 hours which can’t be removed by brushing.
Can orange plaque on teeth symbolize a disease?
No, it is not a symptom of any specific disease. It is just your Plaque that is dyed.
Which foods can cause orange Plaque?
The most common foods which can cause orange plaque are Cheetos and orange juice,
Conclusion
It is not necessary that your plaque can only be Orange. Depending on your food, it can also be of any other color, but in most cases, the plaque develops an orange color.
Yellow plaque on teeth may not be that prominent compared to orange plaque. It gives a very dirty look, and you start to hesitate while smiling because of the orange stains on your teeth. To maintain good oral health and prevent plaque formation, follow the guidelines of ADA so you can be saved from the embarrassment of having orange plaque on your teeth.