(ThyBlackMan.com) One of the main consequences of not looking after your teeth and skipping those regular visits to the dentist is the buildup of plaque. Young children who do not yet know how to brush their teeth properly should learn by using dentist toys for kids.
Plaque is not pleasant whichever way you look at it and when you look at the dental devastation it can cause when left to its own devices, you will probably be soon looking to find a quote at Guardian Life to get yourself a dental plan in place.
Storing up problems
There are a number of long-term effects associated with the buildup of plaque and it is not just about a healthy smile and enjoying nicely bright and white teeth.
Even if your dental hygiene routine is not that bad and you brush and floss your teeth regularly this is still unlikely to prevent a buildup of plaque on your teeth and gums, which is why your dentist plays a key role in keeping your teeth in great shape.
Your dentist can provide a thorough examination of your teeth and arrange to have them professionally cleaned so that plaque is not given the opportunity to take hold and cause problems. They have a variety of Dental Hand instruments devoted to keeping your teeth clean and free from damaging elements.
Bacteria is normal
It needs to be understood that some level of bacteria inside your mouth is perfectly normal but the level of leftover food that remains there and is allowed to build up over time, is down to how effective your brushing and flossing habits are as well as how often you visit your dentist.
The problem with a buildup of plaque is that it eventually hardens and turns into tartar.
Once tartar is present in your mouth it can be very difficult to remove. Tartar is also distinctly unappealing as a look because it manifests itself as a thick brown residue on the surface of your teeth and therefore looks unsightly every time you open your mouth.
The threat of gum disease
Another significant threat posed by the buildup of plaque is the prospect of gum disease.
Plaque is acidic in nature and can be quite effective in attacking the gum tissue around your teeth. The subsequent reduction of gum tissue leaves your root and nerves exposed to air as well as food and general bacteria.
This will often result in increased sensitivity, periods of discomfort and some light bleeding from the gums as well as the potential for infections. You might also discover that your gums become inflamed, which could be the onset of a gum disease.
Tooth decay
Plaque is known to contain a number of acidic properties and these will attack and eat away at your tooth enamel.
This creates a double-jeopardy scenario because it not increases the prospect of cavities developing, it also often increases your level of sensitivity before eventually going on to create decay in the tooth itself.
There is no doubt that tooth decay carries a threat to your overall oral health and it can ultimately also lead to tooth loss, which will affect your smile and could also create other problems such as difficulty chewing and a misaligned jaw.
Tartar control
There are plenty of us who would not list a visit to the dentist as one of their favorite things to do with their spare time but when you look at the consequences of not practicing good oral hygiene yourself and not visiting your dentist regularly, it should be enough to persuade you to do the right thing.
On a basic level, make sure you brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time. Many of us simply don’t spend long enough cleaning our teeth and a quick 30-second scrub is not going to be effective enough in removing plaque or preventing tartar.
Aim to us a brush with small bristles that is a suitable size for your mouth and allows you to reach the surfaces behind your teeth and get to your molars at the back of your mouth too. It seems from a number of studies that any brand of electronic toothbrush might be more effective at getting rid of plaque than our manual efforts, so consider investing in one to help keep your teeth as clean as possible.
Also look at using toothpaste which contains fluoride, as this can help prevent plaque from hardening into tartar. Finally, make sure you floss regularly. Dental floss is much better at helping you remove plaque between your teeth than any toothbrush, so include regular flossing in your dental workout.
When you look at the consequences of plaque buildup, it should be enough of an incentive to get to know your dentist well with regular visits to make sure you are not storing up any problems.
Staff Writer; Ben Wells