Having a whiter, brighter smile might make your teeth look healthy, but it won’t eliminate the risk of plaque buildup. Plaque may sound harmless, but it’s the common culprit behind tartar, cavities, and gum disease. To learn more about this hidden danger to your teeth and gums, here’s more about the cause of plaque and what you can do to prevent it.
How Does Plaque Form?
When you eat, the food, fluids and saliva in your mouth combine together. This natural process creates bacteria in your mouth that can leave deposits on your teeth. If the bacteria isn’t brushed away, it will multiply and eventually form a soft, sticky biofilm, better known as plaque.
How Does Plaque Turn Into Tartar?
The bacteria in the plaque will start to use the sugars in your food to produce acids that eat away at your enamel. Plaque that is not brushed away will eventually harden into yellow tartar that will cause the enamel to break down and result in cavities. The bacteria in plaque can also cause early-stage gum disease called gingivitis and contribute to bad breath.
What Can You Do to Stop It?
Plaque is reversible with good hygiene if you catch it soon enough. That means brushing and flossing every day and attending regular visits with your dentist. You can also prevent plaque by eating a healthy diet that is low in sugars and starches. If you don’t catch it early and it turns into tartar, it will tightly adhere to your teeth. When this happens, no matter how often you brush and floss, the tartar will remain in place. Only a dentist has the proper tools to remove tartar and prevent gum disease from forming.
What are the Signs to Look For?
Plaque is colourless so you won’t visibly notice it until it’s turned into tartar, which leaves yellow-hardened deposits on your teeth. You might, however, feel the plaque as it forms. Simply move your tongue over your teeth, if you can feel a sticky film near the gumline, it might be plaque.
Have you found tartar or think you have might plaque on your teeth? Don’t wait until it becomes a serious problem. Contact us at Carlingwood Dental today to book your next appointment with one of our dentists. We’ll make sure to give your teeth a proper cleaning to remove any plaque or tartar buildup on your teeth.
