Dental care

Our mouth and teeth are often the poster child for our own hygiene. What exactly can you do for good oral hygiene? And what is plaque and tartar?

Tartar is calcified, hardened plaque. Plaque is a thin, usually invisible layer of food particles, mucus and bacteria. It is not only on your teeth but also between them. With good oral hygiene you can remove existing plaque and prevent the formation of new plaque.

If you let plaque build up too much, your gums will become inflamed. This can hurt and it often bleeds when brushing. Many people just scrub a little and are very satisfied when their mouth tastes fresh again after half a minute. That is insufficient.

First and foremost, you should brush your teeth, after every meal if possible and at least twice a day. You should then floss or clean the spaces between the teeth with a toothpick, at least once a day. Finally, have a check-up with your dentist at least once a year.

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 0000-00-00 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024