Plaque and Tartar – Natural Enemies of Your Teeth

Wondering Where Plaque & Tartar Come From?

Plaque is a sticky, sugar like substance of bacteria that forms on our teeth constantly. It is formed from harmful germs that live in our mouths. Some types of plaque cause tooth decay while others cause gum disease.

Tartar is formed when plaque hardens on the teeth and is sometimes referred to as calculus.  This can also be harmful to gums as it can form at or below the gumline, leaving the gums vulnerable to diseases like gingivitis.

You can detect if you have gingivitis if you gums appear red, swollen or bleed with gentle brushing.

What Type of Condition is Gingivitis?

Many people think gingivitis is a condition that’s a simple dental problem.  Nothing could be further from fact.

Gingivitis, undetected and untreated, can lead to a host of other diseases in your body, including blood infection, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, meningitis, hardening of the arteries and stroke.  Some claim gingivitis can even lead to cancer.

 

Protecting Your Gums from Gingivitis

The best protection against gingivitis is daily flossing, brushing and rinsing of your teeth and mouth. Daily removal of germ carrying plaque and tartar is practicing preventative health care.

Ideally, flossing after every meal followed by brushing your teeth is the best defense.  But, if you don’t have the time or the opportunity, you must floss, brush and rinse at least once a day, preferably at bedtime.

Flossing will loosen daily plaque buildup, making your teeth ready to be brushed clean. When you brush your teeth, don’t use hard back and forth motion.  Rather try to brush in gentle circular motion up and away from the gums.

And, don’t forget to brush your tongue.  Cleaning the tongue is a good habit and will leave your mouth clean and refreshed.

To follow up your daily home care, make certain to visit your dentist for regular checkups.  If you smoke, you will be more likely have more plaque and tartar buildup than a non-smoker.

The professionals at New Jersey Dentist, Dr. Ron Rotem, can keep your teeth and gums healthy and they know how to heal any damage you may have caused through lack of proper dental care in the past.

Give Dr. Rotem a call today and schedule a consultation to insure the health of your teeth and lower any risk to your overall health with professional and caring dental care.