Sometimes, patients find that despite their best efforts, and daily cleaning routines, they have trouble maintaining fresh and clean mouths. In these cases, patients may be dealing with ramped up plaque production and accumulation. Today, our Glendale dentists are giving you some more information about how plaque develops, and what you can do about it. Keep reading to learn more!
Plaque is sticky film that develops in a patient’s mouth during the day and night. Plaque contains harmful oral bacteria; if these bacteria are left untreated, they will weaken oral tissues of all kinds.
The reason that the American Dental Association recommends that patients brush twice a day, and floss at night, is to clear away recently developed plaque. It’s important to address plaque in a timely manner, because when plaque is left to sit for a long period of time, it hardens and calcifies to the tooth structure. Calcified plaque is called tartar.
The thing about tartar is that it is very difficult for patients to clear away tartar on their own, at home. You really need a dentist’s help in order to clear away stubborn tartar. So, as a patient, you will brush and floss in order to clear away plaque, and you’ll see your dentist twice a year to rid your smile of tartar.
If you’re dealing with plaque buildup already, you may notice a number of unwanted consequences, including:
- Chronic bad breath: this occurs because oral bacteria produce unpleasant odors when they feed and grow
- Unsightly brown or yellow build-up around your teeth, and in the spaces where your teeth meet your gums
- A gritty or rough feeling on your dental enamel
- Dark spots on your teeth, especially in the grooves of your molars
No matter what the current state of your smile, our Glendale dentists are here to help you get back on track. The first step is to get rid of all of the bacteria plaque and tartar that has been allowed to build up on your smile.
Contact our dental team by phone or through our Contact Us page in order to learn more about caring for your smile, and to schedule a personal consultation. We look forward to speaking with you!