Flossing helps to prevent tartar buildup.
Consistently brushing your teeth, flossing your teeth, and using antiseptic mouthwash is the key to proper dental care. This information is common knowledge but do you know about tartar? Even when you have an excellent dental care routine in place, tartar can buildup on your teeth. That’s why you need to see a dental hygienist to clean your teeth.Plaque is the result of bacteria and food residue combining. When plaque hardens, it becomes tartar or calculus. It sits above the gum line and can lead to receding gums and gum disease, which are significant health problems. Keep reading to learn more about what tartar is and tips that can help control tartar buildup.
How Does Tartar Affect Your Dental Health?
Tartar makes it complicated to brush and floss your teeth as you would typically do. When you can’t effectively brush or floss your teeth, this may lead to cavities and tooth decay. When tartar forms above the gum line, it becomes an irritant that could cause gum disease. One of the least severe types of gum disease is called gingivitis, which you can reverse by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly along with using an antiseptic mouthwash and visiting your dentist continuously.
When gingivitis worsens, it turns into something called periodontitis. At this stage, your immune system is trying to fight the bacteria buildup, potentially resulting in bone and tissue degradation. Bacteria is also associated with heart disease and other conditions.
Things You Can Do to Prevent Plaque From Turning into Tartar
- Brush your teeth twice a day for a minimum of two minutes. Make sure to reach your molars and use an appropriately sized toothbrush with soft bristles.
- Use electric toothbrushes. They provide a deeper clean, and they move at a faster rate, cleaning your teeth more effectively than a manual toothbrush.
- Use tartar-control toothpaste that has fluoride in it. Fluoride combats your enamel weakening. Also, look for products that have triclosan in it. Triclosan helps fight the bacteria found in plaque.
- Floss. Flossing is vital because it helps you reach tight areas that a toothbrush can’t access.
- Take control of your diet. Sugary and acidic foods contain bacteria in it that’s not the healthiest for your mouth. If you are going to enjoy a sweet or acidic food or beverage, make sure to brush your teeth about twenty minutes after to get rid of the bacteria. If you’re not home, drinking water to wash down the bacteria helps as well.
Oral Care from Catonsville Dental Care
Whether you want to whiten your teeth, straighten your teeth or have a wisdom tooth extracted Catonsville Dental Care offers a wide variety of services when it comes to oral health. We have the experience and understanding to diagnose and treat any problem you have as quickly and painlessly as possible. With four dentists available at our office and commitment to comfort, safety, and relaxation you can’t find a better provider for your health. We look forward to helping you keep your smile perfect all year long and talking with you about your needs. To schedule an appointment or consultation, visit us online or give us a call at 410-747-1115. For more tips and tricks follow us on Facebook, Flickr,Twitter,and YouTube.