Toluca Lake General Dentist Reviews Signs Of Plaque And Tartar Accumulation

Written by Dr. McKay on Nov 1, 2016

Harmful oral bacteria threaten your smile every day—it’s your job as a patient, and our job as your dental health provider, to diligently battle plaque and tartar, so that you can maintain a healthy smile!


One thing that you can do to care for your smile is to keep your eyes open for signs of plaque and tartar accumulation. Our Toluca Lake dentists are here to give you more information about how plaque and tartar build-up manifests. If you notice any of these changes to your smile, it’s time to reach out to your dentist for help and support.


As you go throughout your day (and night) oral bacteria congeal in a sticky film that coats your mouth—this is called plaque. When plaque sits on your teeth for an extended period of time, it calcifies and hardens into a substance called tartar.


As oral bacteria proliferate, you may notice that your smile starts to look a little different. You may see yellow, white, or brown spots on your smile, especially along your gum line. Plaque and tartar also tend to build up between teeth, as these spots can be more difficult to reach and clean thoroughly.


Another problem that you may experience is that it is difficult to freshen your breath. Unfortunately, oral bacteria release unpleasant odors when they multiply. So, if you are suffering from consistent bad breath, and you find it difficult to freshen your breath with brushing, flossing, and mouth rinse, you may have too much plaque and tartar in your mouth.


Finally, oral bacteria can make your mouth feel different. You may find that your teeth feel a little gritty or sticky, even after you’ve just cleaned your smile. When your smile is clean, your dental enamel is healthy, your teeth feel slick and smooth. So, if you experience a rough film on your teeth, this is likely related to plaque problems.


Our Toluca Lake dentists are here to give you any more information that you need about preventive and restorative care that keeps plaque in check. Give us a call to learn more!