765-348-4111 As you may know, brushing and flossing your teeth daily is very important if you’d like to stay away from tooth decay. If you fail to keep up on your oral health, plaque will build up and will start to erode at your teeth. Still, do you know what plaque actually is or the effect it can have on your teeth?
Did you know that plaque is a film layer of bacteria that sticks to your teeth? After you are done eating, food particles will be left on your teeth. This will produce bacteria, creating the perfect environment for plaque to multiply. Unfortunately, this plaque can damage your enamel, eventually leading to cavities.
Luckily, you can remove this plaque simply by brushing and flossing your teeth daily. If you don’t, it will harden into calculus, also known as tartar. Unfortunately, if you try to remove tartar by yourself, it will cause more damage to your gums and your teeth. To remove tartar, you’ll need to visit a dental professional such as a dental hygienist or our dentist. This is important because plaque and tartar can irritate your gums, causing gum disease.
Fortunately, a professional deep cleaning is often enough to reverse the effects of gingivitis. Often, our team will help you by removing plaque and tartar from your teeth and we may also give you a fluoride treatment. A fluoride treatment will strengthen and protect your teeth, which can help you avoid many dental issues.
Finally, please remember that you will always have good and bad bacteria in your mouth, and you can’t stop plaque from forming from this bacteria. What you can do is prevent plaque buildup and tartar by brushing and flossing every day twice a day. If you’re interested in learning more about dealing with plaque in Hartford City, Indiana, please don’t hesitate to contact Maddox Family Dental Center at 765-348-4111. Our dentist, Dr. Raymond Maddox, and our team are excited to receive your call.