When buying a toothbrush, toothpaste, or coming into our office, you often hear the word  “plaque” associated with the health of your teeth. Plaque is one of the main reasons why it is so  important to keep up with a daily oral hygiene routine that includes brushing two times each  day for at least two minutes, and flossing regularly as well. Here’s what you need to know  about plaque and what it can do to your smile. 

What is Plaque? 

If you haven’t brushed your teeth in a while, you might feel a film-like, sticky buildup on your  teeth. This is plaque, a bacteria layer that grips onto your teeth. There isn’t anything you can do  to stop plaque from forming, but brushing and flossing as well as keeping up with regular dental  visits are your best defenses for cleaning plaque off your teeth. 

What Plaque Does to Your Teeth & Mouth 

Without regular brushing and cleaning, plaque builds up and multiplies. As plaque is left  untreated, it hardens to form tartar (also known as calculus). Plaque also leads to decay, as it  produces an acid that damages your teeth. When you come into our office for a dental  examination, we thoroughly clean your teeth to ensure that any buildup is taken care of. Tartar  can cause staining on your teeth if left untreated. Plaque is the leading cause of gingivitis,  causing your gums to swell and become red or bloody. 

What You Can Do 

The most important steps of keeping plaque in check is to stick to a daily brushing routine. This  means brushing twice each day, for two minutes each time, and flossing at least once daily.  Plaque occurs naturally, and when you come into our office for a complete examination, we  work with you to clean off any buildup. Maintaining regular visits to our office is one way to  ensure tartar buildup is minimized and managed. It is particularly important that you are  brushing your teeth all the way to the gum, because the gum line is an area that is prone to  plaque buildup. Brush gently, as vigorous brushing will only do more damage than good,  especially to your gums. 

Sticking to your daily brushing and flossing routine will help keep your teeth free of plaque  buildup. Make sure you are brushing in the morning and before bed. If you don’t brush before  bed, bacteria and plaque will build up throughout the night. Schedule a visit to our Newnan GA Cosmetic Dentist so our  experienced, professional dental team can clean your teeth, giving you a smile you can be proud of. 

For more tips on keeping your teeth healthy or to schedule your next visit, please contact Schultz Family Dental of Newnan.