1. What is plaque?
2. What is tartar?
3. Why plaque and tartar need to be removed
4. What is a professional cleaning?
5. What is gum disease?
Plaque is a sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that is constantly forming on teeth, even after you've brushed them. It begins forming on teeth 4-12 hours after brushing.
Saliva, food and fluids combine to produce these deposits that collect on teeth and where teeth and gums meet.
The most effective method of removing plaque is by daily brushing and flossing.
(also called calculus)
Plaque can harden into tartar above and below the gum line, when not removed by regular brushing and flossing. Tartar is essentially calcified (hard) plaque, is white to yellow-white and forms most noticeably inside the front teeth close to the gums.
Unlike plaque, brushing or flossing cannot remove tartar once it has hardened, which then gets in the way of cleaning between the teeth.
Tartar has a rough surface and provides a haven for more plaque and bacteria to collect and grow.
So tartar makes it difficult to remove new plaque and bacteria. This can lead to the build up of more tartar.
Once tartar has formed, only a dental hygienist can remove it.
There is a cycle that forms between bacteria, plaque and tartar that, if left alone can result in cavities and gum disease.
(prophylaxis)
Only your dental hygienist can do a professional cleaning. This not only helps prevent gum disease, but also enhances the appearance of your teeth, making them look shiny and clean.
Symptoms?
Gum disease comes in stages, but is actually one continuous process. Each stage is characterized by what you see and feel in your mouth and what's happening under your gum line.Remember, even if you don't notice any symptoms, you may still have a form of periodontal disease, and it's possible to have more than one stage of gum disease around different teeth at one time.Your hygienist will determine its progression in your mouth during each visit.
Gingivitis
You may experience some swelling, bleeding, tenderness, or bad breath. At this point, gums may be loose, but are still attached high on the teeth.
Periodontitis
You may experience bright red or receding gums, spaces between your teeth, calculus along the gum line, and some symptoms occur with Gingivitis.
Advanced Periodontitis
Your may experience receding gums, which expose root, darker calculus, pus if you press on your gums, and some symptoms from Gingivitis and Periodontitis.