You may have heard some dental terminology thrown around such as "tartar," "plaque," and "gingivitis." Here at Harte Dental, we love providing quality education to our patients (and future patients) so they can do what needs to be done to maintain a healthy and brilliant smile. So... let's go over why we really need professional cleanings from our award-winning Harte Dental clinicians.
Plaque: Dental plaque is something we all have on our teeth. It is a soft, sticky biofilm that builds up on your teeth after bacteria (germs in your mouth) mixes with saliva and food.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), plaque contains more than 500 species of bacteria, some good and some not good for your mouth.
Harmful bacteria produce acids after you eat or drink. This is especially the case when you eat or drink something sugary (candy) or acidic (coffee or orange juice). These acids attack the enamel on your teeth which can lead to more serious issues for both your dental and overall health.
If plaque isn’t removed, it can harden on your teeth and turn into calculus, otherwise known as tartar.
Tartar: When we do not brush and floss adequately, dental plaque sits on your teeth for some time, and it combines with minerals in your saliva and eventually turns into tartar — also known as calculus. Not the math class you took in high school. Hard, built-up plaque!
Tartar coats the exterior of your teeth. It can also settle below your gumline. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this can make it much harder to clean your teeth.
Once tartar spreads below the gumline, your Harte Dental hygienist or dentist will need to remove it to prevent periodontal (gum-related) disease.
Gingivitis: Periodontal disease, in its early stage, is called gingivitis. Symptoms of gingivitis include gums that are swollen, red, and possibly bleeding.
If this is left untreated, it can progress and become periodontitis. When this happens, your gums may pull away from your teeth. It may also cause your teeth to loosen. In more advanced cases, your teeth may fall out.
According to the CDC, close to 48% of adults over age 30 have some form of periodontal disease!
If I Brush, Do I Still Have to Go to the Dentist?
Yes! In summary, your teeth are tough. Covered by enamel, the hardest substance in your body, your teeth can handle a lot of wear and tear. Brushing and flossing can reduce plaque buildup, but depending on your diet and lifestyle, plaque may still turn into tartar! Or, you may have another issue that requires attention that you did not even know about.
It is important to treat your body right, and coming to visit us 2 times per year is a great way to stay healthy and happy! Plus, you're in great hands with our award-winning team; we've been rated 5 stars on Google by over 600 people, Best Dentist in Milton in the Milton Times, Neighborhood Favorite on Nextdoor, and Favorite Dentist in Milton in the Milton Scene! We are happy to continue training to make each of your visits comfortable and relaxing.
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With Info From https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/plaque