Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria that sticks to your teeth. While brushing and flossing at home is a good way to safeguard oral health, it’s not enough to completely prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues caused by plaque buildup. Hardened plaque (tartar) can only be removed during a teeth cleaning, which is why it’s important to see your dentist every 6 months. BRUSH AND FLOSS TEETHPlaque loves to feed on the sugar left behind on your teeth after meals. For this reason, it’s important to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once daily. If you don’t floss, you could be leaving behind dental plaque hiding between teeth and along the gum line. The bacteria from plaque produce acids that destroy tooth enamel and gum tissue. In fact, plaque on teeth is one of the leading causes of cavities and gum disease. SCHEDULE A DENTIST APPOINTMENT It’s important to see your dentist every 6 months for a dental exam because it significantly reduces your risk of needing emergency dental care. While a small cavity can be treated with a filling, a tooth abscess will need an emergency root canal or even extraction. Only a dental professional can remove tartar from teeth. Tartar buildup increases your risk of cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. RE-EVALUATE YOUR ORAL HYGIENE ROUTINEMany patients don’t brush their teeth long enough to remove plaque. Most dentists agree that it should take at least 2 minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Also, make sure that you’re not neglecting back teeth during your oral hygiene routine. If you have questions or concerns, the Smile team will be more than happy to talk with you about the best way to take care of your smile at home.