Plaque and tartar are something that everyone has to deal with, and for some people, they can be a serious problem threatening the health of their teeth and gums. So what are they? Plaque is a sticky substance made up of bacteria that covers our teeth, especially along the gum line. If the teeth are not cleaned properly, and the plaque is not removed, it can calcify and turn into tartar, which is a hard material that also affects the colour of your teeth. So what can you do about it? The first step to visit your dentist, and then you will need to instil the correct dental hygiene routine to help keep plaque and tartar at bay.

Take A Visit To Your Dentist

If you do not have a regular dentist that you visit, then you will quickly find a reputable dentist using the internet. If you live in an area such as Mitchelton, all you need to do is type “Mitchelton dentist” into your favourite search engine and take a look at the results for your nearest dentists. Choose one and make an appointment for a check-up, as well as a scrape and polish. The dentist will carry out what is known as scaling, which is where the teeth are scraped clean, or an ultrasonic device is used to remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth. Once your teeth are nice and clean, you then need to ensure that you take care of them and maintain a good oral hygiene routine.

Brush After Every Meal

When we eat and drink, there is often residue and fragments of food left over in our mouths. The acid in the food and drink that we consume attacks the enamel of our teeth, and can also lead to staining of them too, so it is vital that we brush our teeth thoroughly after each meal that we eat. If it is not possible to brush your teeth, you should at least try rinsing your mouth out with water thoroughly to try and get rid of any food particles and reduce the acidity in your mouth. At your earliest convenience, you can then brush your teeth and help keep your smile shining white.

Do Not Forget To Floss

Another part of dental hygiene that is essential is making sure that you floss your teeth at least once a day. Brushing often leaves small particles trapped between our teeth, and the most effective way of combating this is flossing your teeth daily. Once you get into the routine of flossing your teeth, the process will only take you a couple of minutes and the time it takes will be worth the effort when you see how you can maintain a beautiful smile.

Eat A Healthy Diet

Many things are in our daily diet which stains our teeth and stops them from appearing as white as they should. These can include foods and beverages such as;

• Coffee & Tea
• Red Wine
• Chewing Gum
• Candies
• Carbonated Drinks

These and many more can stain your teeth, and smoking is also something that has a notable effect on the colour of your teeth. Try and avoid these things, or at least brush your teeth as soon as you have finished consuming them, and you will help to keep your teeth in excellent condition. You can also get plenty of excellent advice on reliable dental health websites which will help you to keep that winning smile for years to come.