Why Tartar Buildup Is Bad

Yep. You have heard it before: Tartar buildup is bad for you. It’s not good for your oral health and you should definitely be doing what you are supposed to be doing (also known as dental care that includes dental hygiene every day, in addition to visits to our practice for professional care) to stop it from developing. However, you might not know why. This is where we, your Austin, TX team of dental professionals, are happy to step in to offer the enlightenment you seek and that you definitely need!

It Exposes Smile To Daily Bacteria

Tartar is full of bacteria. Unlike plaque, which is what tartar was before it hardened (and that you can easily brush away), tartar is staying right where it is. It’s sort of like cement, meaning it is exceptionally hard. Unfortunately, the longer teeth are exposed to it, the greater the chance of decay. The longer your gums are exposed to it, the greater the chance of gum disease. Since your smile is exposed to it on a daily basis, 24/7, until we remove it for you during a dental cleaning, you’re at high risk of developing oral health problems!

You Are Brushing But Cannot Get Your Teeth Clean

When tartar is in place, as mentioned, it’s not going anywhere. This means that even though you are brushing your teeth (and hopefully flossing your smile), you’re only getting it partially clean. You cannot remove the tartar until we remove it. So, you’re putting for the effort but you won’t be able to achieve maximum results!

It Contributes To Bad Breath

When bacteria run rampant in your mouth, they eat the foods you eat and that get left on your teeth, which can lead to inflammation and infection and decay. The result? The presence of tartar may most certainly contribute to bad breath that you can’t do much about (until we see you for a cleaning to protect your oral health, that is!).

Your Smile Could Look Better

Tartar has a yellowish or brown hue. When it builds up on your smile, it may cause you to feel less than enthusiastic about your appearance. Though you may assume you need cosmetic dental care to fix what’s happening with your grin’s esthetics, it can turn out that what you really need is a thorough dental cleaning and to get back on board with dedicated dental hygiene at home! Remember, maintaining a beautiful smile starts by maintaining a healthy, clean smile!

Stop Tartar By Scheduling Cleanings

Remember that in addition to keeping your smile free of tartar buildup by brushing and flossing on a daily basis, you should also be seeing our team every six months for a checkup and a dental cleaning. Schedule a visit with your dentist in Austin, TX by contacting Austin General Dentistry today at 512-346-5540.