Tartar — also known as calculus — is an accumulation of plaque and minerals from your saliva that harden. Tartar can coat the exterior of teeth and invade below the gumline. Tartar feels like a crusty blanket on teeth. Because it’s porous, food and drink can easily stain tartar. Tartar deposits, which often settle behind and in between teeth, appear yellow or brown. Tartar, and its precursor, plaque, can both wreak havoc on your dental health. Tartar and plaque can: cause bad breath, from bacteria buildup destroy enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth, which can in turn, lead to tooth sensitivity, cavities, and even tooth loss promote gum disease Stop tartar by stopping plaque Plaque can harden into tartar in a …
What is Plaque?
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth every day: You know, that slippery/fuzzy coating you feel when you first wake up. Scientists call plaque a “biofilm” because it’s actually a community of living microbes surrounded by a gluey polymer layer. The sticky coating helps the microbes attach to surfaces in your mouth so they can grow into thriving micro-colonies. The difference between plaque and tartar When plaque isn’t regularly removed, it can accumulate minerals from your saliva and harden into an off-white or yellow substance called tartar. Tartar builds up along your gumline on the fronts and backs of your teeth. Although an attentive flossing may dislodge some tartar buildup, you’ll probably need to visit a …
Dental Hygienist Needed
Lowcountry Family Dentistry in Beaufort, SC is currently seeking a Dental Hygienist passionate about providing a comfortable and positive hygiene experience. Our ideal candidate will have a positive attitude, is a team player, is a conscientious worker and always puts patients first. Practice is currently growing at approximately 30 new patients per month which could lead to a potential future increase in income. This a great private practice with long time, dependable patients and you won't find a nicer group of co-workers anywhere. Salary: $38.00-$40.00 per Hour Great Office hours: Monday - Thursday 7:00-4:00 Duties include but are not limited to the following: Provide quality and compassionate care to every …
Osteoporosis & Oral Health
Researchers have discovered that dental x-rays are highly effective in identifying patients who have osteoporosis as compared to patients with normal bone density. Since most people see their dentist more often than they see their doctor, your dentist may be the one to help identify low bone density. Low bone density is an indicator for osteoporosis. The older you get, the greater your risk for osteoporosis. What is Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which the bones lose density. This causes them to become brittle and fracture more easily. Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” If you’ve ever seen a pork or beef bone, you know how dense they are. You may have also noticed that they aren’t solid. In fact, they have a …
What does the ADA Seal of Acceptance mean?
There are so many dental care products on the store shelves, how do you decide what’s best for you and your family? Start with the ADA Seal of Approval. The ADA Seal is backed by science—to have your back. Every product with the Seal has been scientifically evaluated by independent experts to be safe and effective. In fact, to earn the Seal, companies are often asked to meet higher standards than what is required by law. Products that don’t meet these tough guidelines don’t get the Seal, period. The Seal isn’t just found on toothpaste and toothbrushes. There are hundreds products on the shelves—including new additions like water flossers, white strips, power toothbrushes and toothpaste to help prevent enamel erosion from dietary …
Mouthgurards: Why You Need One
Imagine what it would be like if you suddenly lost one or two of your front teeth. Smiling, talking, eating—everything would suddenly be affected. Knowing how to prevent injuries to your mouth and face is especially important if you participate in organized sports or other recreational activities. Mouthguards, also called mouth protectors, help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. “Your top teeth take the brunt of trauma because they stick out more,” says Dr. Ashley Covington “Your bottom teeth are a little more protected because they are …
What is Laughing Gas?
Most dental visits are pretty by the book. A dental hygienist will scrape plaque off of your teeth, followed by a polishing to remove any stain on the teeth. After that, a round of flossing, a peek under the tongue, and your dentist gives your teeth a thumbs up. You pocket a free toothbrush and floss, book your next appointment and mark another six months on your calendar. But not every visit is so smooth. Some procedures require laughing gas to be administered. You've certainly heard of it, but what does laughing gas do, you wonder? What Is Laughing Gas? Nitrous oxide (N2O), more commonly referred to as laughing gas, is used as a local sedation method. It is colorless and odorless. Nitrous oxide is effective as a …
The Risks of Oral Piercings
Body piercing is a popular form of self-expression. Oral piercings or tongue splitting may look cool, but they can be dangerous to your health. That’s because your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection and swelling often occur with mouth piercings. For instance, your mouth and tongue could swell so much that you close off your airway or you could possibly choke if part of the jewelry breaks off in your mouth. In some cases, you could crack a tooth if you bite down too hard on the piercing, and repeated clicking of the jewelry against teeth can also cause damage. Oral piercing could also lead to more serious infections, like hepatitis or endocarditis. If you pierce your tongue, lips, cheeks or uvula (the tiny tissue that hangs …
Oral Cancer Risk, Symptoms & Prevention
Oral cancer is divided into two categories – those occurring in the oral cavity (your lips, the inside of your lips and cheeks, teeth, gums, the front two-thirds of your tongue and the floor and roof of your mouth) and those occurring in the oropharynx (middle region of the throat, including the tonsils and base of the tongue). Early detection may result in better treatment outcomes and may help keep you or someone you love from becoming one of the 10,030 people whose lives may be claimed this year by the disease. The 5-year survival rate of those diagnosed is approximately 60 percent. Where Can Oral Cancer Appear? The oral cavity includes your lips, cheek lining, gums, front part of your tongue, floor of the mouth beneath the tongue …
Mouthwash Types & Facts
While not a replacement for daily brushing and flossing, use of mouthwash (also called mouthrinse) may be a helpful addition to the daily dental hygiene routine for some people. Why Use Mouthwash? Just like dental floss, interdental brushes, and water flossers, mouthwash can get in between teeth. Reaching areas that your toothbrush can’t get to helps to reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease. Mouthwash can help: Prevent or control tooth decay Reduce plaque (a thin film of bacteria that forms on teeth) Prevent or reduce gingivitis (an early stage of gum disease) Reduce the speed that tartar (hardened plaque) forms on the teeth or to produce a combination of these effects Freshen breath Types of Mouthwash There …