Dangers of Dental Plaque

Plaque is constantly forming on our teeth, especially after the meals we eat. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria and sugars that can cause periodontal disease and cavities if not adequately removed by brushing and flossing. If you take your finger and scrape your nail against your enamel, do you notice any plaque? If so, our doctors at Chapel Street Dental encourage you to brush it away to avoid its consequences.

When we eat, plaque uses the sugars in food to produce acids that eat away at tooth enamel. If plaque isn’t brushed away, it can harden into tartar which only our team of hygienists will be able to remove. As the plaque and tartar buildup increase, gum tissue can become red, swollen, and may bleed when you brush your teeth. To avoid the dangers of dental plaque, it’s critical to brush at least twice a day, floss at least once a day and visit us twice a year for professional cleanings.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral hygiene or oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Don’t Neglect Your Tongue

Most of us have been brushing and flossing our teeth for many years. If done correctly, and practiced frequently, we should be brushing our teeth at least twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a day. Though our doctors at Chapel Street Dental suggest brushing your tongue, not everyone practices this method and we are here to tell you why you should.

After you’ve given your teeth a good scrub, it’s time to focus on your tongue. At a minimum, you should clean your tongue once in the morning, and once at night before you go to bed. It’s just fine to brush your tongue with your toothbrush in a circular motion, but it’s even better to invest in a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper is a tool that is made of soft, flexible plastic, that gently peels away the layer of bacteria that food leaves behind. Using one can help you keep foul odors out of the mouth and leave you with fresher breath.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral hygiene or preventive dentistry, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Periodontitis

When gingivitis is left untreated, it can advance to the next stage of periodontal disease and that is periodontitis. Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis is a little more challenging to treat, as it requires a deep cleaning of the gums. Periodontitis, like gingivitis, begins with plaque. If your oral care routine is inadequate, our doctors at Chapel Street Dental are here to help change that.

Periodontitis is preventable and treatable but the best way to avoid it is through prevention. As this stage of gum disease progresses, you may notice swollen and irritable gums, gums that feel tender when touched, persistent bad breath, and receding gums. When gums recede, the only way to restore the tissue is through a gum graft. We hope that your oral care habits never become this bad and encourage you to visit our office twice a year for routine dental exams.

If you have questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.

Gingivitis

If you notice a bit of blood in the sink when you brush and floss, this is a common sign of gingivitis. You can prevent gingivitis by practicing proper oral care habits such as brushing teeth twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a day. If you floss your teeth every day for one week, you’ll notice that the blood will disappear. Gingivitis is the only stage of periodontal disease that can be reversed but our doctors at Chapel Street Dental would rather you take preventive measures.

The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene habits. Perhaps you find any excuse you can to avoid brushing your teeth in the morning, afternoon, or before bed. Gingivitis can cause swollen and puffy gums, dark red gums, bad breath, and gums that bleed easily. The best thing you can do in addition to improving your oral care routine is to visit us twice a year for dental checkups.

If you have questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.newhavendentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Chapel Street Dental in New Haven, CT, call 203-772-1000.