Plaque, Tartar, and Dental Cleanings

From the time you were a little kid, you more than likely have been told that you need to stop plaque and tartar buildup. It is also likely nobody ever took the time to actually explain what these oral health problems are and how they can impact your oral health for many years to come.

Plaque

You know when you wake up first thing in the morning and rub your tongue over teeth? That thin layer of grit you are feeling is plaque. This is fairly easy to get rid of with regular brushing. Something to keep in mind, though, is plaque, over time, can eat away at the enamel of your teeth. This is why everyone is encouraged to brush after eating, or to at least rinse to remove what you can until you get home to brush.

In addition to the dangers to your teeth, plaque can also get up under the gumline and impact your overall gum health. So, when brushing, use a circular motion and be sure to brush around the gum line. The bristles of the brush will be able to remove some of the plaque buildup, as will flossing daily.

Tartar

If you are doing a decent job of brushing and flossing daily, you should be able to avoid massive tartar buildup on your teeth and under the gumline. Tartar is much harder than plaque and signifies significant buildup. One of the more common areas is behind the upper and lower front teeth.

Something to consider that will help with tartar buildup between dental visits is a water flosser and an electric toothbrush. While you still may get minimal buildup, you should be able to avoid larger buildups by using these products on a daily basis. In some cases, even if you do have small buildup, using these oral hygiene tools will remove them from your teeth and gumline.

Dental Cleanings

Even the most ardent oral hygiene program is not as effective as dental cleanings. The benefit to following the advice above is those bi-annual cleanings will be quicker and far less painful than if you don’t. In addition, you will get out of that chair without having to have expensive dental treatments!

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