Find out how plaque buildup can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
No one wants to deal with decay and gum disease and yet these issues are so common that we see them in many of our patients. Our Springfield, MA, dentists Dr. Sunit Jain and Dr. Isha Sood want to arm patients with knowledge about how plaque and tartar buildup occurs and ways to prevent these problems from happening to improve oral health and protect against decay and periodontal disease.
What causes plaque?
Plaque is a colorless, sticky substance that develops on the teeth and along the gum line. It develops when bacteria in the mouth combine with certain sugary or starchy foods and drinks. Plaque continues to build up all day long, but can easily be removed through brushing and flossing twice a day (once in the morning and again at night before bedtime).
What is tartar?
If plaque isn’t properly brushed or flossed away it will quickly harden into tartar, which no toothbrush or floss can remove. Once tartar or calculus develops on teeth, the only way to remove it is with a professional dental cleaning performed by our Springfield, MA, dentists. We have the appropriate tools to be able to safely and effectively remove both plaque and tartar buildup.
What happens if plaque and tartar remain on teeth?
Plaque converts all sugar and starches into acid, which can erode tooth enamel. Over time, this leads to tooth decay. If decay isn’t properly treated, this can also spread to neighboring teeth or even cause an infection.
Both plaque and tartar contain harmful bacteria that can irritate and infect the gums, leading to periodontal disease. The unfortunate part of this is that many people don’t even experience symptoms of gum disease, especially during the beginning stages, so it can be challenging to catch this problem early.
However, untreated gum disease can eventually lead to tooth loss and receding gums, which is why it’s important not to skip out on our six-month checkups and cleanings. It’s during these checkups that we can easily remove plaque and tartar buildup to prevent decay and gum disease, or even reverse these problems early on.
When was the last time you visited our Springfield, MA, family dentists? If it’s been more than six months it’s time for your next checkup. Call Globus Dental at (413) 737-9548 to schedule your next cleaning.