What Causes Plaque and Tartar Buildup and How Can I Prevent It?

Plaque and tartar buildup affects more than your oral health. It can also have a detrimental effect on your overall health. Your trusted team at Avalon Dental Care is proud to offer quality preventive dentistry procedures designed to keep your smile in tip-top shape. You can always count on us for care that exceeds your expectations.

What Causes Plaque and Tartar Buildup?

Plaque, a sticky, colorless film containing bacteria, continuously builds up on the tooth surfaces. If not removed, the plaque starts reacting to the minerals in the saliva and hardens to tartar, which only a dental professional can remove.

How Does Plaque and Tartar Buildup Affect Your Oral Health?

Plaque and tartar house bacteria that produce acids that eat away and break down tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay and cavities. The accumulation of plaque bacteria can also cause inflammation of the gums, which leads to periodontal (gum) disease.

Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, is characterized by swollen, tender, and bleeding gums. If not treated, the condition can progress to periodontitis. The gum tissue begins pulling away from the teeth, leaving spaces called pockets that trap bacteria, tartar, and food debris. The bacteria destroy the underlying bone and tissue supporting the teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss.

How Does Plaque and Tartar Buildup Affect Your Overall Health?

Studies show a connection between the bacteria behind gum disease and health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, respiratory conditions, dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, premature birth, to name a few. So what’s behind that connection? While scientists can’t say for sure, many believe that bacteria in plaque and tartar enter the bloodstream, affecting major organs and exacerbating these health conditions.

How Can You Prevent Plaque and Tartar Buildup?

While plaque continuously forms on the teeth, meticulous oral hygiene practices, including brushing and flossing, will help remove it and prevent it from hardening to tartar. Don’t forget to visit Avalon Dental Care for routine oral exams and cleanings every six months to help keep your smile healthy and prevent plaque related dental disease.

Quality Preventive Dentistry Near Me

Contact Avalon Dental Care in the El Segundo and Carson areas to learn more about preventive care for long-term healthy smiles. We are here to support your dental health every step of the way. Call us and schedule your appointment today!