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.

When Should I Be Seeing the Dentist?

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Do you know how often to see the dentist in Central City, KY? If you’re not going frequently enough, you could become more vulnerable to tooth decay, cavities, infection and more. Seeing the dentist with regularity can help keep your teeth clean and healthy. Here’s what you need to know.

Every Six Months

Most dentists recommend their patients come in for professional dental cleanings every six months. Seeing the dental professional twice a year gives your dentist a chance to eliminate plaque and tartar before it becomes a serious problem, which can help keep your teeth and gums healthy. If it’s been more than six months since your last cleaning, contact David S.Morehead Family Dentistry to make an appointment as soon as possible.

When You’re Noticing Symptoms

See your dentist when you’re noticing signs of a dental problem. Some issues to watch for:

  • Pain in the teeth, either when biting down, when exposed to extreme temperatures, or at random
  • Bad breath that won’t go away, even when you brush your teeth
  • Loose teeth
  • Gum recession
  • Puffy, red, swollen or bleeding gums

When It’s An Emergency

It’s important to see the dentist right away when you’re having a dental emergency. Some examples of a dental emergency include:

Lost permanent tooth. If you’ve lost a permanent tooth, it’s important to see the dentist as soon as possible. The faster you see the dentist, the more likely it is they can save your tooth.

Swelling and pain around your tooth. Swelling and severe pain could be a sign of a dental infection. Make an appointment to get it checked out.

Dental injury. If you’ve just had an accident and you’ve sustained a dental injury, whether that’s a chip or a crack in your tooth, or bleeding in your mouth, call the dentist to make an appointment.

When the Dentist Tells You To

If you’re in doubt about whether it’s time to see a dentist for a dental cleaning in Central City, KY, call David S.Morehead Family Dentistry. We can give you information that can help you determine whether it’s time to make an appointment. Call today.