Jackson Heights New York dentist
Dental plaque is a form of bacteria that grows on and between your teeth. It feels like film, is sticky, colorless, and can pose a hazard to your oral health. As the root cause of both tooth decay and gum disease, dental plaque must be addressed effectively. And here at The Gentle Dentist our
Jackson Heights New York dentist, we're committed to helping you avoid the worst consequence of plaque.
The foods you eat and the beverages you drink cause the formation of plaque. Sugar, which is found in obvious things like candy, cake, and soda can also be found in dairy products and fruit juices. Even starchy foods like potatoes, pasta, and rice can lead to the creation of dental plaque, which erodes your tooth enamel to form cavities. But plaque also irritates your gums, the early stage of gum disease. It is vital that you brush your teeth at least twice per day, when you wake up and at bedtime. Also, you should floss before bed each night. Doing so will eliminate most of the dental plaque, but some can easily hide in gum pockets, where it hardens into tartar. In order to remove tartar, you need a professional teeth cleaning, which is available as part of your six month checkup with our Jackson Heights New York dentist. If you don't get a teeth cleaning, plaque and tartar can significantly decay and weaken a tooth, and break down its protective layers to allow bacteria inside. The result is an infection, pain, and root canal therapy. Gum disease can also advance, putting your gum and bone tissue, and even your teeth in jeopardy. Fortunately, twice-yearly visits to our Jackson Heights New York dentist make those complications far less likely.
A comprehensive strategy to defeat dental plaque begins at home, but it also requires the help that comes from calling us to schedule an appointment with our
Jackson Heights New York dentist.
By The Gentle Dentist
February 27, 2017
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