You’ve been told since you were a kid to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. Combine these good daily oral health habits with good lifestyle choices and regular dental checkups, and the problems that you may have with plaque and tartar will be at a minimum. Neglect these habits, and you could be facing a boatload of problems from tartar and plaque.
Here at Lancaster Dental Care Associates, our team provides the necessary care to protect your and your loved ones’ teeth from the dangers of tartar and plaque. Understanding what these compounds are and where they come from will help you understand why they’re so bad for your teeth — and how they can influence your overall oral health.
Plaque is a soft white or yellow buildup on teeth and along your gum line that happens naturally, especially after eating and drinking. The bacteria that create plaque are found on all surfaces in the mouth. If they aren’t removed by brushing, these tiny bacteria can stick together and form a film — and that film is called plaque.
When plaque is allowed to stay on teeth without being washed away by your toothbrush, it hardens and becomes tartar. Tartar tends to be darker than plaque and ends up being worse for your oral health because it’s a more substantial buildup of bacteria. Once tartar has settled on your teeth, only a dental professional can remove it.
Ideally, neither plaque nor tartar should be allowed to stay on your teeth, but even the best of us may have occasional issues.
There is nothing unusual about having tartar or plaque, but their buildup on your teeth can lead to conditions that affect your gums, which can, in turn, eventually cause you to lose your teeth if they’re not dealt with. Sure, we have options to replace your teeth, but the best option is to protect the natural teeth you have.
The presence of tartar and plaque in the mouth can lead to gingivitis, the first step of gum disease (also called periodontitis). Gum disease can be painful and causes multiple symptoms, including:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gum disease affects almost half of adults in the United States.
To keep from joining the half of the population with gum disease, fight to keep plaque and tartar off your teeth!
The best method for this is to carefully and thoroughly brush and floss your teeth at least twice daily. You’ll also need regular dental checkups and cleanings. The professional-grade tools at your dentist’s office can clean your teeth much more efficiently and thoroughly than your toothbrush — plus, we can make sure that you don’t have any dangerous conditions developing in your mouth or jaw area.
Our team at Lancaster Dental Care Associates can help you start the new year with cleaner, healthier teeth. Just call our office in Lancaster, California or use our convenient online scheduler to book an appointment and protect your oral health.
