Plaque is a serious and constant threat to your oral health. When plaque is not removed from your teeth and oral tissues in a timely manner, it can harden into a substance called tartar. Tartar, because it is calcified, needs to be removed by a dental professional.
For this reason, you really want to stay ahead of plaque accumulation. If you do notice that the amount of plaque in your mouth seems to be increasing, our Elmhurst dentists can help you get your smile back on track. Look out for:
- Persistent and hard-to-treat bad breath—this can be a sign of rampant plaque as well as existing oral infections. As oral bacteria feed and grow, they emit odors as a byproduct.
- An unpleasant or stale taste in your mouth, even after you’ve recently cleaned your smile.
- Brown, grey, or yellow streaks on your dental enamel, you may also see visible build-up between your teeth and along your gum line.
- A grimy, rough, or sticky feeling when you run your tongue over your teeth. Clean dental enamel feels slick and smooth—if your smile feels rough it may be a film of plaque.
- Gum health issues—if you notice that your gums are red, swollen, and/or prone to bleeding, it may be because your gum tissue has become infected. The same bacteria that colonize in plaque can take root in your oral tissues.
A thorough professional dental cleaning can go a long way toward refreshing your smile. If you have developed any infections or cavities as a result of plaque accumulation, our team offers a number of restorative treatments.
Please feel free to reach out to our Elmhurst dentists to learn more about how plaque develops, and to get tips on how to keep your smile fresh and clean. We look forward to working with you!