If harmful acids are routinely wearing down your tooth enamel, you are suffering from what is known as dental erosion. Typically, dental erosion arises due to the buildup of plaque, which is a thin layer on your teeth consisting of bacteria and another sticky residue. To protect your teeth from dental erosion, plaque must be eliminated.
If you wish to enhance your smile, it is important to always make sure it is clean and free of any debris. Debris and bacteria that begin to pool will form into plaque. Plaque is known for causing numerous ailments within your mouth including gum disease and cavities. In fact, plaque build-up is one of the leading causes of cavities because it can convert harmful substances in your mouth, such as sugar, directly into acids that will eat through your tooth enamel.
One of the negative side effects of not treating plaque beyond the oral health ailments that can arise is the fact that that will harden into a product known as tartar. Tartar causes further oral health risks including gingivitis because of the fact it is difficult to remove. In fact, it may require the assistance of the dentist to remove tartar if it should begin to build up in your mouth. If tartar is present within your mouth, brushing and flossing will not be able to remove it, as you will need to visit your dentist to have it treated properly.
If you would like an oral exam for plaque treatment with our dentists, Drs. Trecker and Lopez, and the rest of our team here at Trecker and Lopez Family Dentistry, please set an appointment to come see us at our dentist office in Springfield, Massachusetts. We can be reached at 413-782-5159.