What is Plaque?

You know that brushing and flossing your teeth is very important if you’d like to keep your mouth healthy. If you fail to keep up on a consistent oral hygiene regimen, plaque will build up and damage your teeth. Still, do you know what it actually is or what it can do to your teeth?

You see, plaque is a filmy substance that sticks to your teeth. When you eat, food particles will be left on your teeth. This will produce bacteria, which will then lead to plaque. Sadly, plaque can damage your enamel, leading to cavities.

Luckily, you can remove this plaque by brushing and flossing. If you don’t, your plaque will harden into calculus, which is often known as tartar. Sadly, if you try to remove tartar at home, you could damage your gums and your teeth. To remove tartar, you’ll need to visit a dental professional. This is important because plaque and tartar can irritate your gums, causing gum disease.

Fortunately, a professional cleaning is often enough to reverse gingivitis. Often, our team will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth and give you a fluoride treatment. This treatment will strengthen your teeth, helping you avoid issues like tooth decay.

Finally, please know that you’ll always have bacteria in your mouth, and you can’t stop your plaque from forming. However, you can prevent plaque buildup and tartar by brushing and flossing regularly. If you’re interested in learning more about dealing with plaque in Newburgh, Indiana, please feel free to contact Family Dentistry at 812-853-3313. Our dentist, Dr. Samuel Schmitz, and our team are eager to receive your call.