Oral Hygiene Basics: What Are Tartar and Plaque?

Oral Hygiene Basics: What Are Tartar and Plaque? from Midtown Dental - The Gallery of Smiles in Houston, TXAlthough many people believe that plaque and tartar are the same, they actually have significant differences. Understanding the distinctions between these two dental conditions can help you identify their warning signs and practice oral hygiene basics to avoid them.

What is plaque?

Plaque is a soft film containing millions of bacteria that build up on your teeth, gums, and tongue. These bacteria feast on the food you eat and produce acids that disintegrate your enamel and lead to cavities. Plaque is a sticky substance that bacteria create to protect themselves and make them harder to remove. If you see a viscous white or yellow substance on your teeth or between your gums, it is most likely plaque.

Implementing oral hygiene basics, such as brushing your teeth and flossing, into your daily routine is important to prevent plaque and cavities from forming. If cavities are left untreated, the decay will eventually travel to the inner layer of the tooth that contains the nerve. This can lead to severe tooth pain, sensitivity, and visible holes in the tooth.

What is tartar?

If plaque is not removed, it hardens, trapping calcium and other minerals contained in the saliva. This is known as tartar. Tartar makes the teeth appear stained or discolored and traps plaque, increasing your risk of developing even more tartar. It can also build up around the gum line and result in the early stages of gum disease.

Unlike plaque, which can be removed by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing, the only way tartar can be successfully removed is by visiting the dentist for a cleaning.

How do you know if you have plaque or tartar?

Some of the most common signs of plaque include chronic bad breath, a fuzzy or slimy feeling on the teeth, and tender gums that bleed after brushing. You may also find that your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold foods. On the other hand, common signs of tartar include discolored spots on the teeth, especially in between the teeth or near the gums, and painful, swollen gums.

You have a higher chance of developing plaque or tartar if you do not brush or floss regularly or seek regular dental care. Therefore, it is important to be diligent when it comes to oral hygiene basics

How can you prevent plaque?

Practicing good oral hygiene is key to preventing plaque and tartar buildup. This includes the following:

  • Brushing your teeth at least twice a day
  • Changing your toothbrush every three to four months
  • Flossing every day
  • Drinking plenty of water
  • Visiting the dentist regularly

In addition, your food intake has a large impact on the state of your teeth. It is recommended that you generally stay away from candy, carbonated drinks, and foods high in carbohydrates, such as bread and chips.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Oral Hygiene Basics in Houston, TX

Conclusion

Visiting a dentist regularly to remove plaque and tartar is essential to maintaining proper oral hygiene. Although you can clean off plaque by brushing your teeth and flossing, you must visit a dentist to get rid of tartar.

Request an appointment or call Midtown Dental - The Gallery of Smiles at 713-979-4127 for an appointment in our Houston office.

Recent Posts

Oral Hygiene Basics: Choosing The Right Toothbrush

Everyone learns oral hygiene basics when they are young, but some details get lost over time. For example, many adults are confused about what type of toothbrush to use. This simple tool comes in many different forms, including a variety of sizes and a range of bristle textures. You may wonder why there are so…

Oral Hygiene Basics: Choosing The Best Diet For Your Teeth

Healthy teeth are a vital part of being able to eat and enjoy food, but certain foods can be more harmful to dental health than others. Learning about foods that help and hurt the teeth is an important part of oral hygiene basics that can be helpful in guiding the choices people make when caring…

3-questions-to-ask-Oral Hygiene Basics: What Drinks You Should Avoid

When it comes to oral hygiene basics, you probably think that changing the foods that you consume can strengthen your teeth. However, drinks actually have a large impact on your teeth because the traces of particles stay behind long after you have finished drinking. Here are the drinks that you should avoid to maintain a…

Recent Posts

Teeth Whitening For People With Sensitive Teeth

Teeth Whitening For People With Sensitive Teeth

One of the side effects of teeth whitening treatment is sensitive teeth. If patients have sensitive teeth before they begin treatment, then it can cause increased discomfort during and after treatment. This review highlights how dentists can treat patients with sensitive teeth that are seeking teeth whitening treatment.Teeth whitening may be possible depending on the…

Can People With Gum Disease Get Teeth Whitening Treatments

Can People With Gum Disease Get Teeth Whitening Treatments

Dentists typically recommend delaying teeth whitening treatments when you are struggling with gum disease. Gum disease is a condition that is caused by a bacterial infection of gum tissues. This leads to an immune system response, causing irritation and inflammation. The result is damage to teeth structures and the tissues that hold them in place.Gum…

American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry logo
American Dental Association logo
Acadaemy of General Dentistry logo
clearcorrect logo
International Association for Orthodontics logo
International Congress of Oral Implantologists logo
LVI Global logo
Top Doctor Logo
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry logo
American Dental Association logo
Acadaemy of General Dentistry logo
Top Doctor Logo
clearcorrect logo
International Association for Orthodontics logo
International Congress of Oral Implantologists logo
LVI Global logo