As you may already know, gum disease is a serious and dangerous dental issue. In fact, it’s one of the most serious and dangerous dental issues in the world today. But how does it develop? Plaque and tartar. These two substances can create this disease and ruin your smile and oral health. To help you know more about plaque and tartar in Bridgeton, New Jersey, our Shanker Dental dental team has the following information for you:
–Plaque: Plaque is a white, sticky film that is made of leftover food particles, bacteria, and saliva that mix in your mouth. It tends to cling to your teeth without you even noticing. If it is able to build up on your teeth, it begins to irritate your gums. This is called gingivitis, which is the first stage of gum disease. When your gums are irritated, they tend to bleed and swell when you brush and floss. Another symptom of gingivitis is chronic bad breath.
–Tartar: Tartar is also known as calculus and it is the hardened form of plaque. Tartar occurs when the plaque is left untreated. Once tartar forms, your gums tend to move away from the teeth, which will form pockets of infection. Then, the bacteria from the tartar will spread to the underlying bone and will start to deteriorate it. Eventually, if it’s left untreated, it can result in loose and lost teeth. This is the second stage of gum disease known as periodontitis.
The best thing you can do for your smile is to prevent these two substances from developing on your teeth. In order to do so, you need to keep up on oral hygiene (brushing twice a day and flossing once a day) and visiting your dentist, Dr. Bennett R. Shanker, every six months for a routine cleaning and checkup.
If you’re due for your six-month checkup, call 856-455-1183 today at your earliest convenience and schedule an appointment. We look forward to cleaning plaque and tartar from your smile!