What Is Plaque and How Does It Cause Cavities?

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Everyone has heard of plaque, but most people don’t really know what it is or how it could affect their oral health. So let’s talk about plaque, what it is, what it’s made of, if it can hurt your gums, and how to fight it. Then you can make an appointment with your dentist in Central City, KY to help prevent plaque from causing you to lose any teeth.

What Is Plaque?

Plaque is the stuff that builds up on your teeth if you don’t brush them. It’s a bacteria that attacks your teeth and causes tooth decay and other oral health problems. You can tell if you have plaque by running your tongue over your teeth. If you feel a film on your teeth, that means you have plaque build-up.

What Is Plaque Made Of?

Plaque is made up of tiny bacterial organisms, saliva, bits of food, and liquids. It starts slowly with the plaque sticking loosely to your teeth. But the longer that plaque stays on your teeth, the stronger it gets.

How Does Plaque Hurt Your Gums?

Your gums surround your teeth to protect them. So when plaque builds up around your teeth, it will irritate your gums. Your gums will get red and puffy and will be a bit sore when you brush. Plaque buildup can also give you bad breath. Those are all signs that your gums are being affected by built-up plaque around your teeth.

How to Fight Plaque?

You can fight plaque by visiting your dentist for routine dental visits in Central City, KY. You can also fight plaque by flossing and brushing your teeth twice a day. Flossing helps remove the plaque from your teeth and gums, and brushing helps brush that loosened plaque away.

Do You Need a Dentist in Central City, KY?

If you need a dentist in Central City, KY, please Contact David S. Morehead Family Dentistry today. We have years of experience, use cutting-edge technology, and go out of our way to provide you with the best gentle dental care possible.

How to Reduce Tooth Pain Until You Can Get to the Dentist  

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If you have tooth pain, you probably want some relief now! But dental offices aren’t usually open during non-business hours. So what can you do? We are going to give you some tooth pain relief options you can use until you can get to your dentist in Central City, KY.

How to Reduce Tooth Pain Until You Can Get to the Dentist

Here are a variety of tooth pain options you can try until you can get a dental appointment for your tooth pain in Central City, KY.

  • Saltwater Rinse

Salt water can be used to treat and heal oral pain, reduce inflammation, and can effectively kill a wide variety of bacteria in your mouth. This is because salt water has disinfectant qualities. Just put a teaspoon of salt in a warm glass of water and rinse your mouth with it.

  • Anti-Inflammatory Medication

Taking anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen will help reduce the pain. However, you might have to continue taking it until you get to the dentist. Just remember taking too much of this type of medication can cause other health issues, so talk with your primary doctor first.

  • Peppermint Tea Bags

Peppermint tea bags have a mild numbing effect that can help with your tooth pain. Simply warm a peppermint tea bag and place it on your tooth.

  • Garlic

Garlic has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes. Garlic kills bacteria and acts as a pain reliever. To use garlic for your tooth pain, simply crush a clove of fresh garlic so it makes a paste. Then you can apply that paste to your tooth. Alternatively, you can chew that clove of garlic and then spit it out when you’re done.

Do You Need a Dentist in Central City, KY?

If you need a dentist in Central City, KY, please Contact David S. Morehead Family Dentistry today. We provide professional dental care in a warm, welcoming, and comfortable environment. And our cutting-edge technology ensures you receive the highest quality dental care available.