Common dental issues series – plaque and tartar

Everyone comes to the dentist in Mackay with their own unique set of teeth and any issues that they might be experiencing. It’s our job, at Walkerston Dental in Walkerston, to ensure that everyone feels like they are getting treatment and care that is tailored to meet their needs. However, there are some common issues that we see over and over again. We can offer advice on preventing some issues and what to do if you see any signs of these common dental issues in your life.

Plaque and tartar

You’ve probably heard these words before from your dentist in Mackay or on an advert for toothpaste, but do you really know what they are and why they affect your teeth?

Plaque is a sticky substance that forms on your teeth all of the time. It contains lots of bacteria which feeds on the sugars in your mouth. This might be refined sugar if you are eating a lot of sweet snacks or drinking fizzy drinks, but they also feed on whatever you eat. During their digestive process, these bacteria produce acids which can eat away at your teeth. Once holes form, they are the perfect hiding place for the bacteria, so the problem perpetuates itself. All of this means that brushing plaque away regularly is vital for the structure and health of your teeth.

If you don’t brush plaque away, it can quickly harden into tartar. This process can happen in just over 24 hours so that’s why twice-daily brushing is highly recommended by your dentist in Mackay. Tartar is a hard substance that usually sits around the base of your tooth at the gumline. It causes discolouration, irritation and tooth decay. Brushing alone will not remove tartar. It needs to be cleaned off by a dental professional especially if it has been forming for a long time and has a foothold beneath the gum tissue.

At Walkerston Dental, we offer cleaning and polishing services in order to support your oral health routine. A regular visit to us ensures that we can remove tartar before it has a strong impact on the health of your teeth. This is a much easier process than repairing damage at a later stage.