Plaque Vs Tartar
Throughout our lives our teeth attract cumulus. Bits of leftover foodstuffs and other organic material will stick to the surfaces of our teeth and get stuck near the gums between them. The process is ostensibly, unavoidable. All of us eat, and over time even the best hygiene will have some misses. Plaque and Tartar are both the end result of this cumulus, when the material has formed a layer harboring harmful bacteria. However, there are some key differences between the two which we will review here.
Plaque
What is plaque? Plaque is a white-yellow film that accumulates on the teeth and between the gums. You usually remove it early after it accumulates through brushing and flossing. Flossing is the only way to physically maneuver the vast majority from between the teeth. Brushing is a great option to gently remove it from the surface of teeth, by using circular motions brushing up and away from the gums. Once the food, and the millions of bacteria that feed on it, are adhered to your teeth it creates a community. The bacteria feeds on the plaque, which creates an acid as a byproduct. This acid allows the bacteria to break down the plaque, but also the enamel and dentin of your teeth. The slurry that is created from this process can eventually lead to infection, disease, and tooth loss. Once this mix of bad news hardens to the tooth, it becomes tartar.
Tartar
This kind of tartar does NOT come with your fish and chips. Dental tartar is the hardened layer of bacteria, rotting food material, and acid that is clinging to your teeth. Tartar can lead to tooth damage, tooth loss, discoloration, sensitivity to cold and heat, as well as periodontal disease. The only way to have tartar removed is to see a dental professional. Your dentist and hygienist can help your remove all the built-up tough stuff, and then provide a clinical cleaning to get you back to square one. You should do this every 6 months, regardless of how good your dental hygiene is. Eventually, almost everyone will have to deal with Dental Tartar. However, you should watch for early signs and symptoms of tartar buildup, so you can quickly resolve the problem before it gets advanced.
How Can You Remove Plaque and Prevent Tartar?
The best defense is a good offense. You can try your best to avoid extremely acidic or sugary foods, especially those rich carbohydrates. Eventually though, we all have cheat days. The very best thing you can do is establish a rigorous hygiene routine.
Brush- Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Be careful not to overbrush and use gentle but firm circle motions to rub material off the tooth, away from the gumline. Consult with your dentist on the best toothpaste option.
Floss- Be sure to floss between every tooth, following the contours of the teeth down to the gumline. Work any plaque or food out gently and be sure to change the floss whenever it gets gross or discolored. Flossing can smell bad, but over time it will get better.
Use Mouthwash- Swish and spit, being sure to cover larger surfaces of your mouth.