Plaque and tartar are problematic, we know this, but yet so many people still see their dentist St Johns Wood everyday with excessive build ups of both. Why is this? What is the reason so many people are still actively neglecting their teeth? If we had a build up of visible dirt on any other part of our bodies we’d be straight in the showering, lavering up with shower gel and scrubbing our bodies clean? So why are teeth thought of so differently?
What Is Plaque And Tartar?
Plaque is the softer build up of food debris we find on our teeth, particularly around the gum line, it’s often known to build up at the back of the teeth where we can’t see it and also between teeth and right down in the gumline.
When this plaque isn’t cleaned away through brushing and flossing it turns to tartar which looks the same as plaque but isn’t removable so will just stay there. The only way really to get rid of this is through an appointment with a hygienist which is organised after a check up with your dentist St Johns Wood.
Why Are Plaque and Tartar Dangerous?
Though on the surface you might not see this issue with a bit of plaque build up it’s actually really dangerous for the long term health of your teeth and gums. If let to its own devices you could very easily start to develop dental problems such as gum disease or decay. Essentially either one of these can then go on to your tooth loss and serious bone damage.
How Can This Be Addressed?
Depending on where you are with the build up will influence how we are able to tackle the issue. If there are super early signs of plaque just a good deep clean at home with floss and interdental brushes could cover it.
If you are starting to show signs of gum disease then you would need to work with the hygienist who will perform a scale and polish to deep clean the area professionally and remove both plaque and tartar.
In case of decay the decayed area will have to be addressed usually with a filling and then a clean up with the hygienists.
Taking Responsibility For Your Oral Health
At the end of the day our teeth are our own and you need to be taking responsibility for their care and upkeep. Flossing and correct cleaning really isn’t difficult or all that time consuming, it’s about creating habits that you stick to religiously and remembering that just because you can’t see the dirt doesn’t mean a) it’s not there when you look and b) that you can get away with ignoring it. If you aren’t sure of what best practices are when it comes to oral health and hygiene then you can find lots information online, there are hundreds of industry approved websites with heaps of info on: best toothbrushes, toothpastes, how to floss tutorials and what extra tools you can be using to make sure your teeth are cleaned correctly.
