Guess what? Plaque isn’t something you hear about all the time because it’s just one of those dental-related terms that we happen to bring up a lot. Nope, it’s a term that you should get to know quite well because it happens to be the basis for just about every hygiene-related oral health problem you might run into! When you know more about it, what it is, and how to deal with it, practicing effective smile care becomes so much easier! Get to know a handful of important details to remember from our Conroe, TX team!
#1: It’s Always There!
We remind you that plaque is always there. You might think that once you remove it with dental hygiene that you’ve bought yourself a day or more of a clean smile that doesn’t have any sticky biofilm over it. However, that’s not the case. Just remember as you practice dental care that what you need is to remove it as consistently as we suggest and that’s the ticket to a healthy smile.
#2: It’s Full Of Bacteria
Right, so who cares, you think to yourself, if plaque is always present? Maybe it eventually makes your smile feel less than shiny and clean but does it actually impact your oral health? The answer is a very big yes! The reason? This substance is full of bacteria. As you know, some bacteria are not dangerous but in fact beneficial. However, some bacteria are very bad! It’s the “very bad” ones that contribute to problems in your smile, including the development of gingivitis, tooth decay, eventual infections, and more! So, you want to get rid of it.
#3: It Can Become Tartar Very Quickly
Here’s something to remember: Your toothbrush can sweep plaque away easily. So can dental floss. However, within about 24 hours or a bit more, plaque transforms into a very hard material called tartar. You can’t remove it with brushing, flossing, or anything other than our help during a professional cleaning. As long as you practice hygiene twice daily, you can prevent tartar!
#4: It Requires Multiple Forms Of (Consistent) Removal
As mentioned, you need to consistently remove plaque in order to maintain your oral health. Here’s how to do it:
- Brush your smile twice a day, morning and evening
- Floss your smile once daily, either morning or evening
- Receive professional dental cleanings twice a year, every year!
Keep Your Smile Free Of Plaque
Don’t forget that you can easily avoid the damage potentially caused by plaque by learning how to keep it off of your smile on a daily basis! See us for professional dental cleanings and dental hygiene tips! Come in for a visit in Conroe, TX by scheduling a visit with the Dental Centre of Conroe by calling (936) 441-4600. We serve patients from Conroe and the neighboring communities.