Hey, my name is Shelly Katalgo. My love for sedation dentistry started in high school. My best friend had a severe fear of going to the dentist and I wanted to help her feel better about it. Although I always enjoyed my dental visits, I felt bad that she struggled so much with going to hers. My parents taught me about sedation dentistry and I instantly dreamed of becoming a dental professional. I wanted to help kids like my friend stay fear free throughout their appointments by using gentle techniques and professional medications. Although I opted to follow a different career path, my passion for dentistry remained throughout the years. I will update my site with developments in this industry as soon as they are reported. I will also discuss the benefits of sedation dentistry in detail. Thanks for visiting. I hope you come back soon.
Franklin Steward
Your dental hygienist helps keep your teeth in good shape by performing preventive care. During a visit to your dental hygienist, you can expect your teeth to be cleaned. Although you are likely brushing your teeth at least twice a day at home, your efforts will not remove tartar that may have accumulated on your teeth since your last visit to the dental office.
Tartar is hardened or calcified plaque. The substance begins to build up when you don't clean your teeth soon after plaque deposits occur. Each time you eat a snack or a meal, plaque is produced, since it is formed from a combination of oral bacteria and food particles. If the plaque is not promptly remove, it can gradually harden, forming the hard tartar that often accumulates near the gum line.
Still, although you can not brush tartar away, there are things you can do to lessen its accumulations. Here are some of them:
Carry along a toothbrush for after-meal cleanings.
If you have access to a restroom area when you are away from home, consider carrying along a toothbrush to brush away food particles after you eat. Even if you don't have toothpaste handy, the mechanical cleaning action of the toothbrush should clear a good amount of plaque and food from the teeth. Once plaque is eliminated, the material cannot harden into tartar.
Use a chlorhexidine-based mouth rinse daily.
Consider using an anti-bacterial mouth rinse that includes chlorhexidine as an active ingredient. The substance kills oral bacteria without drying out the soft oral tissues as alcohol-based products do.
With a lower number of bacteria in the mouth, the formation of plaque is discouraged. The oral microbes are a primary component of plaque.
Eat or chew xylitol-sweetened substances.
Xylitol is a low-calorie sweetener that has antimicrobial properties. It is commonly found in gum and sugarless mints, but can also be used as a standalone sweetener for edible items.
Like chlorhexidine, xylitol can lower the bacterial population in the oral cavity, which can lessen plaque and tartar development. For best results, use xylitol-sweetened products immediately after eating a meal or snack. Chewing a piece of xylitol-sweetened gum after eating can become a part of your normal oral health routine. You'll be freshening your breath and keeping your teeth cleaner simultaneously.
For more ways to lessen tartar buildup, schedule a consultation with a dental hygienist in your local area. Contact a clinic like Legacy Dental Arts to get started.