What Is Tartar?

what is tartarAvoiding the development of tartar is one reason maintaining good brushing and flossing habits is so important. If plaque is not removed from your teeth in time, it can harden into tartar, which will make it exceedingly difficult to remove. This stubborn material can attack your teeth for an extended period of time, which means you are facing greater odds of having a cavity form. How can you be sure you have not let tartar stick to your teeth? Go in for a routine checkup and cleaning with your dentist. One reason these visits matter so much to your oral health is that your hygienist has the necessary tools to effectively clean any tartar from your teeth.

The Importance Of Keeping Your Teeth Clean Between Visits To Your Dentist

Taking care to clean your teeth regularly is nice, but you should also be certain that you are cleaning them thoroughly. If you brush your teeth twice a day but fail to adequately clean certain spots, those spots can suffer cavities, and leave you needing restorative work when you see your dentist. This is part of why your dentist wants you to floss. The spaces between teeth can be hard to clean with a toothbrush, so they can be more vulnerable without this added step.

What Happens If Your Dentist Finds A Cavity During A Checkup?

Understandably, people would prefer their dentist find nothing wrong with their teeth. Unfortunately, it can still happen. The good news is that when your dentist finds a cavity before you do, it could still be small enough to be treated with a filling. If you only seek treatment because of tooth pain, you could have a cavity that requires a root canal.