Getting Smarter with Tartar
It’s not news that you want to hear, but unfortunately brushing teeth twice will still leave you with bacteria in your mouth. This tends to mix with food and proteins to form dental plaque, which coats the teeth. It’s a pesky thing, getting under your gum line, clinging to fillings and other dental work and if you don’t remove plaque, it turns into a hard crusty substance called tartar. As you probably know, this doesn’t look good and it can become hard to clean your teeth or floss properly.
However, if you remove plaque regularly, you can prevent tartar build up and stop permanent tooth decay and gum disease such as gingivitis, or more seriously periodontitis.
So, the fact is if you don’t address plaque and therefore tartar build-up, it can lead to gum disease and in the longer term it can cause other, wider secondary health issues too with many studies linking the bacteria in gum disease to heart disease, oral cancers and other health problems.
So here are some top tips on getting smarter with tartar!
Don’t’ let your plaque take hold. Here’s how:
• Brush twice a day for 2 minutes a time and use a soft bristle brush that’s small enough to get around everywhere in the mouth. Don’t forget the gum-line, this is very important, and always clean your molar teeth at the very back where food can get stuck.
• Boring but necessary so don’t forget to floss. Especially good for removing pockets of food from in between your teeth where he brush simply cannot go. If you’re not sure how to floss properly, please ask your dentist for advice.
• Rinse thoroughly, and if you like, use an antiseptic mouthwash to help kill bacteria that cause plaque.
• Electronic toothbrushes have been proven to be more effective in removing plaque. Any good quality brand will have undergone rigorous quality control and safety tests.
• Choose plaque-control toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride will help repair enamel damage. Some products have a substance called triclosan that fights the bacteria in plaque.
• Watch your diet. Bacteria thrive on sugary and starchy foods. When they’re exposed to those foods, they release harmful acids, so limit the amount of sugary foods you eat. If you do want to eat cake and chocolate (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?!) then it’s better to eat all in one go rather than spread out across the day.
• Please don’t smoke. It does terrible harm to your teeth and your gums. Apart from the yellow stains and the horrid smell, you’re more likely to have tartar build up, and therefore more likely to have dental infections.
• Have regular hygiene appointments. They’re worth their weight in gold. Your hygienist will be able to remove the plaque from your teeth, give you a good polish and check for any abnormalities that need addressing.
• Try and visit your dentist every 6 months and your hygienist can remove any plaque that might have formed and to prevent further problems.
If you’re worried that dental tartar may be building up on your teeth don’t worry. Give Appledore Dental Clinic in Milton Keynes a call. Our friendly team for a chat. They can book you in with Emma, our amazing hygienist, who will be able to get your teeth back into tip-top shape in no time. Call 01908 230209, email smilesmk@appledore.co.uk or visit our website for more information www.appledore.co.uk
