Bacteria, Plaque, and Tartar - What’s the Big Deal?

You’ve heard that you’re supposed to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once more times than you can count. You know that these things are important to keeping your teeth healthy. You may even know that it’s supposed to help with things like plaque. But is it really all that big of a deal?

Bacteria

As gross as it may sound, humans have a ton of different bacteria living in and on us. Some of them are quite beneficial. Others, including a couple types of bacteria that are found in your mouth, aren’t. Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mutans are the two strains that are generally considered the responsible parties in the formation of plaque on your teeth.

Plaque

Plaque is made up of bacteria, glycoproteins found in your saliva, and sugars. It bonds to your teeth though enzymes created by the bacteria and the conversion of sugars to a bonding material. You won’t be able to see plaque building up on your teeth. If you run your tongue over your teeth, however, you may be able to feel it. Plaque produces acid which can lead to dental decay and the development of cavities.

Tartar

If you brush your teeth properly twice a day, you should be able to remove the plaque from your teeth. If you don’t, however, that plaque can harden from a sticky substance into something called tartar, also sometimes referred to as calculus (no, not the math discipline). Tartar is tough enough that you won’t be able to get rid of it by brushing. Dentists have special tools that can handle it though, which is part of why it’s so important to attend regular dentist appointments. If left unchecked, tartar can cause problems like sensitivity, tooth discoloration, periodontal disease, and gum recession.

While we definitely could be a little biased as a dental practice, the truth is that mouth bacteria and the plaque and tartar that they cause can be a really big deal for your oral health. Considering the fact that your ability to properly chew and digest your food all starts with having healthy teeth, it follows that the rest of you can also be impacted by the health of your teeth. Make sure you’re doing your part to keep your teeth healthy and get rid of bacteria and plaque before it’s too late.

Let us do our part to help you have a healthy smile. Contact Us to set up your next appointment today.