When you rub your tongue over your teeth, they may feel fuzzy or rough. This feeling happens a lot in the morning if you forget to brush your teeth before bed. Plaque and certain foods are the cause of this sensation.

Foods that Cause Fuzziness

There are specific foods that can lead to a sticky film on the teeth. Foods high in oxalic acid, such as spinach, beets, rhubarb, and kale, will create that fuzzy sensation. This does not mean you shouldn’t eat these healthier foods. The solution is eating foods high in Vitamin C along with any foods high in oxalic acid because the Vitamin C will counteract the acid. It is also a good idea to simply brush and floss after a meal that contains these foods.

What is Plaque?

In addition to these acidic foods, a buildup of plaque can cause that fuzzy feeling. But what exactly is plaque, and how does it cause the fuzziness?

Almost everyone has heard of plaque. However, some confusion exists about what it is exactly. Plaque is a sticky film on your teeth that is invisible. It is full of bacteria. These bacteria are dangerous when they come into contact with foods, especially foods high in sugar and carbohydrates.

What Causes Plaque?

A diet high in sugary and starchy foods lead to plaque buildup. When you don’t brush and floss regularly, expect more plaque buildup as well. Everyone knows that drinking a lot of soda and eating a lot of sweets and candy are causes of plaque buildup. However, eating a lot of foods like bread and pasta increase plaque buildup as well.

What Does Plaque Do?

A little plaque is on your teeth all the time; it doesn’t matter how much you brush. That’s why we all are prone to the fuzzy feeling on our teeth – we’ve all got plaque! When plaque builds up, it creates an acid. This acid is powerful and starts to damage the teeth enamel. This damage leads to cavities, decay, and gum disease like gingivitis.

In severe cases, plaque buildup leads to gum and bone degradation, known as periodontitis. The bacteria can cause more problems if it reaches your bloodstream. This can lead to cardiovascular disease. This is another good reason to brush and floss regularly.

If the plaque is not taken care of, it sits and hardens. When it hardens into tartar, it continues destroying your teeth. At this stage, brushing is no longer useful. It takes a trained dentist with tools to remove tartar.

How to Deal with Plaque

The first defense in plaque buildup is regular brushing and flossing. The second thing to do is to cut down on the sugary and starchy foods. It is okay to enjoy these foods, just remember they are a treat. If you do eat too much, you should brush and floss more regularly. Finally, it is important to have regular checkups with your dentist to avoid tartar.

Mission Hills Family Dental cares about your oral health. When you come in for an appointment, we’ll thoroughly examine and clean your teeth, and we’ll help you figure out how to deal with any issues being caused by plaque buildup. Contact us today to set up and appointment. Don’t let plaque ruin your smile and your health.