Your mouth is teeming with bacteria, most of which are harmless, some even beneficial but other forms of bacteria when mixed with sugar or acids will turn into a sticky material known as plaque. We can’t avoid the production of plaque but we can keep it from building up and hardening into tartar which can only be removed by scraping with a dental hygienist’s tool which nobody looks forward to, not even the hygienist.
Good oral hygiene is the only way to prevent plaque buildup. The plan is to remove plaque as it forms by brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste and flossing after snacks and meals. A tongue scraper and an antibacterial mouthwash, an electric toothbrush and a water irrigator are other good tools. All the good work that you do at home to keep your mouth clean and free of tartar is basically ineffective if it is not followed up with regular professional care.
Prevention may begin at home, but nothing can replace the significance of timely dental checkups and teeth cleanings. X-ray technology has been improved to be able to diagnose an issue at the earliest possible stage when treatment is easier and most successful.
So, with a healthy diet, a proper home care regimen and regular visits with your dentist and hygienist you should be good to go. Call for your next appointment with Kendra L. Patterson, DMD today @ 303-722-9504 in Denver.