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Hearing words like sticky, bacteria, acid, and decay makes most people cringe. Thinking about those things on your teeth…ew! Unfortunately, these are all characteristics of plaque and tartar: the enemies of healthy teeth.

Don’t panic—we have some tips on how to avoid plaque and tartar. But first, let’s back up a little. In order to figure out how to prevent them, we need to know exactly what they are, right?

The best way to understand plaque is to think of it as a thin, invisible film of sticky bacteria (and other unfriendly materials) that coats the surfaces of your teeth. When sugars and starches come in contact with plaque, an acid is created that can attack your teeth for up to 20 minutes after you finish eating. Repeated attacks can break down tooth enamel and lead to cavities, decay, and/or gum disease.

Tartar, on the other hand, is a deposit that forms when plaque hardens on your teeth. For most of us, tartar deposits begin to build up faster as we age. Unlike plaque, tartar bonds quite strongly to tooth enamel and can only be removed by a dental professional. Prolonged tartar buildup can cause a tooth’s enamel to break down, resulting in decay and/or cavities.

So… in order to avoid cavities we have to avoid tartar, and in order to avoid tartar we have to avoid plaque. Here are some recommendations from Dr. Bob Maley on the best ways to fight plaque and tartar buildup.
• Floss once a day.
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride and fights plaque.
• Use a quality toothbrush and remember to replace it every three months, or as soon as the bristles have worn down.
• Add a mouthwash to your routine to provide longer protection even after you’re done brushing.
• Eat well-balanced meals. Raw fruits and veggies like apples and carrots even help remove plaque.
• Brush after snacks.
• Visit Dr. Maley regularly for oral exams and cleanings so that any tartar buildup you might have can be removed.

Take care of your teeth and fight cavities! Your bank account and smile will thank you. And since avoiding plaque altogether is impossible, don’t forget to schedule your regular dental appointments with us so we can help brighten your smile and keep your teeth healthy for life!

Don’t forget to join us on Facebook so you can keep up with everything going on in our practice, and so we can get to know you better. We look forward to connecting with you there.

When your child needs urgent dental treatment, Dr. Bob Maley and our team stand ready to help. Here are some helpful answers to some recent patient questions.

Q: What should I do if my child’s baby tooth is knocked out?

A: Contact Dr. Maley as soon as possible.

Q: What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?

A: Find the tooth and rinse it gently in milk or saliva. (Do not scrub it or clean it with soap — use just water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water. Get to our office immediately--within 30 minutes is ideal. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

Q: What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?

A: Contact Dr. Maley immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you when you visit.

Q: What about a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture?

A: Go immediately to the emergency room of your local hospital. A blow to the head can be life threatening.

Q: What if my child has a toothache?

A: Call us and visit Dr. Maley promptly. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.

Q: Can dental injuries be prevented?

A: Of course! First, reduce oral injury in sports by wearing mouth guards. Custom mouth guards provide the best protection. Second, always use a car seat for young children. Require seat belts for everyone else in the car. Third, child-proof your home to prevent falls. Fourth, protect your child from unnecessary toothaches with regular dental visits.

Contact our St. Paul dental office to schedule an appointment. We love what we do and enjoy watching our patients grow and smile as they visit our office!

Dr. Bob Maley and his team are always available to answer your questions about your teeth and dental treatment. We strive to provide our patients with quality care in a warm, family-friendly environment.

We also recognize that the most important questions are our responsibility to answer. Some of the questions that we hear in the office include:

• Will bleeding hurt my teeth?
• What is gingivitis?
• Does the bone grow back after rootplaning and scaling?
• Why do my gums bleed?
• Why do you take panographs and bitewing? What's the difference?
• Does an electric toothbrush really do anything?

All of the answers to these questions vary from patient to patient, and we are happy to answer them for you! The next time you have an appointment with us please ask us. We want your dental experience to be informative and comfortable.

Even if you brush and floss daily, it is still important to see Dr. Bob Maley every 6 months, or as recommended.

Why?

• We can detect and treat tooth and gum problems that you may have never felt or noticed.
• Even thorough daily oral care may not be enough to prevent cavities and oral decay.
• Frequent visits can allow us to treat a problem early to prevent future complications.
• We miss your smiling face!

If you are overdue for an appointment with us, please give us a call today!

- Dr. Bob Maley & Team