Dental Office In Newton

Dental Office In Newton | Plaque and tartar really are quite insidious. Plaque can form on your teeth without you even knowing about it, since it is often colorless. And by the time it has hardened into the more noticeable form of tartar, you cannot remove it on your own. But what are plaque and tartar, really? How can you prevent them? And how can you remove both when they have made their presence known?

Learn more below and contact our dental office in Newton.

Sneaky Plaque

Plaque is a type of biofilm that adheres to teeth due to the presence of certain oral bacteria. This bacteria feeds on sugars found in your food and drink, particularly when you have been slacking in the brushing and flossing department.

The sneaky thing about plaque is that most people don’t even know that they have it. It can be colorless or a pale yellow in color. By the time it becomes more obvious, it has hardened into tartar. This is when it can become more serious, because plaque and tartar can lead to gum disease. Medically called periodontal disease, gum disease can lead to the eventual loss of your teeth.

Preventing Plaque and Tartar

The first line of defense against plaque and tartar begins at home. For most people, you simply need to keep up with regularly brushing and flossing your teeth. You need to be brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing them at least once daily. This will help to push back on plaque before it can develop into the more troublesome form called tartar.

Of course, it is not always practical to brush your teeth after every single meal and snack. You may be away from home and without your toothbrush. No worries. Simply do your best by rinsing your mouth out with water, which will remove much of the food debris that feeds bacteria and causes plaque. When you get home, follow up by brushing your teeth.

Your dental office in Newton recommends periodically purchasing a new toothbrush. It often helps to buy a new one every three or four months. And take an occasional look at your toothbrush. If it is unusually worn or frayed, it may be time to get a new one.

Prevent Plaque and Tartar by:

• Regularly brushing and flossing
• Regular dental exams and cleanings

Schedule Your Appointment

Even if you feel that you’re doing a stellar job at home with brushing and flossing, you can still miss areas that are hard to reach with your toothbrush or dental floss. Over time, plaque can gain safe harbor and harden into tartar. This is why it is best to combine brushing and flossing with dental exams and cleanings in our dental office in Newton.

In addition to examining your mouth during the initial dental exam, your dental hygienist has the training and tools necessary to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth before they develop into something more serious. This starts you back at Square One so that your efforts at home will not be in vain.

If you would like to receive more information about plaque and tartar, or need to schedule a dental exam and cleaning, we encourage you to contact our dental office in Newton today to schedule an appointment.