Many people don’t want to see a dentist until they have a severe symptom, such as a toothache or gum disease. The good news is most dental issues can be prevented with a proper oral hygiene routine and regular dental checkups. Your family dentist in Southfield, MI, might have talked about plaque and tartar, and while both are often named together, there are stark differences. Knowing the difference is critical to protect your teeth from damage. In this post, we are discussing both plaque and tartar in detail.
An overview of plaque
Plaque is what forms on your teeth like a sticky film. Plaque is made of food particles, saliva, and bacterial growth. When you eat or drink something, the bacteria feed on the starches and sugars. The action produces acids that attack the enamel. The best way to feel plaque is to run your tongue after a regular day. If you find a slimy feeling, that’s plaque covering the teeth. Plaque can eventually cause tooth decay and gum disease. In the long run, the presence of plaque can affect the enamel, leading to cavities. If the cavity is not treated, the infection can reach the pulp, and in the long run, that could mean losing your tooth. Regular brushing and flossing can help get rid of plaque.
An overview of tartar
Tartar, on the other hand, is plaque that has hardened. If you are not regular with brushing and flossing, plaque will eventually calcify, and you can find tartar on your teeth close to the gums. Tartar is strong and cannot be removed through brushing and flossing alone. You will have to go for scaling and root planing, which are procedures done in a dental clinic. Should you worry about tartar? Yes, absolutely. Tartar can make it hard to clean your teeth, and with time, it will lead to severe gum disease, also known as periodontitis. Periodontitis can eventually cause tooth loss.
Quick things to know
Plaque starts forming immediately after you eat or drink something. There is a reason why dentists advise against too many sugary and starchy foods, which help bacteria thrive. Plaque can harden into tartar, also called calculus, in a matter of 72 hours. The formation of tartar only gets easier with poor oral hygiene. It is always best to clean your teeth and brush religiously after every meal. Tartar, unfortunately, cannot be removed at home. Either you will need professional cleaning, while in the more horrible cases, root planing and scaling are required.
Consequences of plaque and tartar
Plaque is often the primary reason behind cavities. Acids in the plaque will eventually eat through the enamel, and bacteria will cause serious decay. The first stage of gum disease is known as gingivitis. Plague and tartar can affect the gums, and you may experience symptoms like bleeding while flossing and brushing and extreme inflammation and swelling. Gingivitis eventually leads to periodontitis without treatment, and advanced gum disease can be hard to reverse. The presence of plaque and tartar also causes a bad odor in your mouth, also called halitosis.
How to prevent plaque and tartar?
First and foremost, keep up with your oral hygiene. Consider brushing your teeth at least twice daily, even if you cannot do that after every meal. Just getting rid of plaque is enough to prevent tooth decay. Just like brushing, flossing is also a great way to keep your teeth and gums clean. Flossing removes food particles lodged between your teeth, especially when your toothbrush cannot reach those areas.
If you already have visible tartar, don’t wait to see your dentist in Southfield.
