What is Plaque and How Bad Is It?

At your dental appointments, you’ve likely experienced a professional clean as the dentist removes plaque from your teeth. This is not the most pleasant experience, as a scraping instrument is used to force plaque off the teeth. If you’ve ever wondered about what plaque is and how to get rid of it on your own, we’ve got the answers!

What Is Plaque?

Plaque is made up of invisible masses of germs inside your mouth that stick to your teeth. Some types of plaque cause tooth decay, while other types can cause gum disease. These are both very serious, as gum disease can result in lost teeth when left untreated.

Brushing

While home remedies should never be substituted over visiting your dentist, there are ways to prevent and remove plaque on your own. The best way to prevent plaque is something you are already (hopefully) doing- brushing your teeth at least twice a day. In addition to brushing in the morning and night, brushing 30 minutes after eating can also reduce your chances of developing plaque.

Tartar Control Toothpaste

If you or your dentist notices tartar patches on your teeth and are worried about the plaque, try using a tartar control toothpaste. These contain ingredients to battle against buildups in the mouth, as well as substances that kill off bacteria strains. While plaque and tartar are often used interchangeably, there is a small difference- plaque is the bacteria that causes tooth decay, while tartar is the accumulation of stains, food, saliva, etc. on your teeth.

Keep Your Smile Healthy

While these tips can help with some tooth and gum sensitivity issues, we know the best way of correcting the problem is to visit your dentist regularly. Dr. Donnie Dean provides a variety of services from cosmetic dentistry to orthodontics. To get your teeth back into good health and make your smile bright, call us at 865-539-1119 or contact us online.  www.deancosmeticdentistry.com 865-539-1119

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