Dental plaque is a sticky, colorless film that continually forms in between and on the surface of the teeth. It is a biofilm that is made up of microorganisms such as streptococcus mutans and other bacteria. It can develop on teeth above the gum line (supragingival), below the gum line on the roots of teeth (subgingival) and along the gum line (gingival).

If dental plaque accumulates and is not removed, it can harden and turn into calculus or tartar.

How Can You Remove Dental Plaque?

If your gums appear healthy – with no inflammation or redness – then twice daily brushing and proper daily flossing will break up the plaque that naturally accumulates on your teeth. Brushing with a fluoride-based toothpaste will help to remove it from the surfaces of your teeth and floss or interdental cleaners will help to remove it between your teeth. If you notice that your gums are red and inflamed, or that they bleed after you brush your teeth, it is important that you see your dentist.

Gingivitis and early periodontitis can be controlled by routine professional teeth cleanings and more diligent brushing and flossing at home. If your dental professional observes an excessive buildup of plaque and calculus below the gum line, then scaling and/or a procedure called root planing may be necessary. This non-surgical procedure is used to remove plaque and calculus from around the roots of teeth and in the gum pockets.

Scaling and root planing is performed in your dentist’s office.

A root canal is a dental procedure that is used to remove diseased pulp tissue from the interior of a tooth. The narrow channels beneath the pulp chamber in the inner part of the tooth are hollowed out and cleaned, and the roots are filed with flexible nickel titanium files. Root canal therapy restores and saves an average of 17 million teeth each year. Keep your tooth and stop the pain – sounds better than a tooth extraction, right?

A tooth is made up of three main components: a hard protective shell referred to as enamel, a softer and sensitive middle layer referred to as dentin and a soft tissue inner layer referred to as dental pulp. Dental pulp is composed of nerve tissue, lymph tissue and blood vessels, and is considered to be the vital part of a tooth. If dental pulp is sufficiently traumatized – whether by exposure to oral bacteria via deep dental caries, a fracture in the tooth that enters the pulp or a forceful blow to the face – the tooth begins to die and root canal therapy is often required in order to prevent or eliminate infection and prevent tooth loss.

A root canal procedure involves tooth disinfection and the removal of all debris (nerve tissue, lymph tissue, blood tissue, bacteria and infection) from the coronal pulp chamber and its associated canals. Once an affected tooth’s canals are sufficiently cleansed and shaped, they are filled with materials designed to prevent pain and infection from recurring. 

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots used to support a restoration for a missing tooth or teeth, helping to stop or prevent jaw bone loss. The implantation procedure is categorized as a form of prosthetic (artificial replacement) dentistry, but also is considered a form of cosmetic dentistry.

People who have lost teeth might feel too self-conscious to smile or talk. Additionally, biting irregularities caused by tooth loss can have a negative effect on eating habits, leading to secondary health problems like malnutrition.

By replacing missing tooth roots, dental implants provide people with the strength and stability required to eat all the foods they love, without struggling to chew. Additionally, they help to stimulate and maintain jaw bone, preventing bone loss and helping to support facial features.

When it comes to dental procedures, tooth extraction — or having teeth “pulled” — is among patients’ most dreaded prospects. Also referred to as exodontia, tooth extraction involves removing a tooth from its socket in the jaw bone. Before your dentist considers extraction, every effort will be made to try to repair and restore your tooth. However, sometimes it’s necessary.

Dental braces are a type of orthodontic treatment used to correct teeth that are crowded, crooked, protruding, out of alignment or have irregular spacing. By moving the teeth into the ideal position, braces help create a more attractive and healthy smile for both children and adults.

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments offering a quick, non-invasive and affordable way to enhance a smile.  Universally valued by men and women alike, whitening (or bleaching) treatments are available to satisfy every budget, time frame and temperament.