What is tartar and plaque?
Plaque is defined by the American Dental Association as a sticky film of bacteria. These bacteria can attack the enamel of the teeth as well as the supporting structures. Plaque can form on teeth, gums, tongue, roof of mouth, and cheeks. Plaque can easily be removed with proper brushing and flossing. Once plaque is allowed to attach itself to the teeth it begins to calcify. If this plaque is allowed to completely calcify without being removed it can no longer be removed by conventional home care methods. At this point the plaque has become tartar, also known as calculus. The removal of calculus is a procedure performed by your dental hygientist. This procedure is called scaling or in such cases that periodontal disease is present, scaling and root planing (SRP). Plaque is the number one dental disease initiating factor. Plaque causes dental decay as well as periodontal disease.
