A clean, bright smile is a universally incredible thing to behold. A beautiful smile lights up a face and lets the world know that the person behind that smile–whether they’re in Sacramento or Dubuque–is happy and healthy. Yet a bright smile doesn’t just happen. It takes care and a commitment to dental health to achieve that lovely smile.
Though our teeth and our smile are beautiful assets, we all know that our mouth serves more than a cosmetic function. Our teeth enable us to eat properly. Due to this, the care of our teeth, which includes daily flossing and brushing, as well as regular checkups, is critical to maintaining a healthy smile. Again, no matter whether you live, whether you’re in New York City, Paris or Sacramento, the need for good dental hygiene remains the same.
THE PROBLEM OF PLAQUE AND TARTAR
Anyone who practices good dental hygiene knows a thing or two about plaque and tartar. Plaque is the gooey substance that forms on the teeth after eating. It’s made up of food residue combined with saliva, and contains a great deal of naturally occurring bacteria. Regular dental hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing of the teeth, works to keep the plaque off the teeth and keeps it from hardening into tartar. The truth is—if you want to keep that emergency dentist away, you’ll want to be rigorous about daily dental care.
What’s so bad about plaque and tartar? The problem is that these natural substances contain acids that can wear away tooth enamel, bringing on a variety of problems, including tooth decay and inflammation of the gums. Left untreated, these problems can lead to serious health issues, including the loss of teeth and gum tissue—and a call to the emergency dentist. Again, this is why regular dental care—whether you’re in Sacramento, the big city or out in the country– is so important.
Why is plaque removal important? If the plaque is left on the teeth, it hardens into tartar, and is much more difficult to remove. The tartar stays attached to the teeth unless removed by various processes, including dental scaling or by water removal. A dental hygienist or emergency dentist, with the skills and access to tools to help remove the buildup, are the best choices for effectively removing hardened tartar from the teeth.
HEALTH ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH HARDENED TARTAR
The health risks associated with an accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth are not to be taken lightly. As bad as gingivitis and tooth decay are, the price for ignoring a tartar buildup is even higher. Left untreated, gum inflammation can even lead to the spread of bacteria through the body, which can cause heart problems. Ouch! Again, let’s keep that emergency dentist at bay.
Are you convinced? Let’s hope so. So put down the candy and pick up a toothbrush. A beautiful smile—whether its in Paris or Sacramento–is worth the trouble.