Plaque: it’s always accumulating and threatening your oral health!
Daily oral hygiene routines as well as professional dental cleanings are designed to minimize the amount of plaque in your mouth, and help your smile stay healthy. However, often, despite our best efforts, plaque starts to build up on our teeth and gums.
Our Toluca Lake dentists encourage you to reach out to your dental team for help and support as soon as you notice increased plaque production. Here are some red flags for which to look out:
1. Bad breath
If you start noticing that your breath smells stale or unpleasant, and you find that it’s hard to freshen your mouth, you may be dealing with a plaque problem. Plaque houses oral bacteria, and oral bacteria emit bad smells as they grow and multiply. Talk to your dentist about ways to minimize oral plaque and address the root cause of chronic bad breath.
2. Sticky/rough smile
When your dental enamel is clean and healthy, your teeth will feel slick and smooth when you run your tongue over your smile. Teeth that are covered by plaque, on the other hand, may feel a little rough, sticky, or grimy.
3. Visible build-up
You may be able to see plaque and tartar as it attaches to your smile and accumulates in those tough-to-reach places. Look for brown, yellow, or just overall dull build-up between your teeth and in the spots along your smile where your teeth meet your gum tissue. Schedule a professional cleaning to help you give your smile a clean slate!
With diligent, proper dental care, you can effectively manage plaque accumulation and help your smile stay clean and healthy for years to come. Our Toluca Lake dentists are here to give you personalized suggestions and guidance on how to care for your smile at home. We also offer a comprehensive range of preventive and restorative treatments in our office to meet your needs. We look forward to speaking with you!