Gum care
Gums: an important and exposed tissue
Plaque and tartar: threats to gum health
Plaque : this thin, whitish film is made up of saliva, food residues and bacteria. It forms naturally on teeth, and can be removed with a toothbrush and dental floss. However, if not removed properly, plaque tends to clump together near the gums and harden.
Tartar : this calcified version of plaque can only be removed by professional cleaning using special tools. As tartar is generally found where teeth and gums meet, or even underneath them, bacteria can easily attack them, causing infection of varying depths.
Gum care: the importance of prevention
Controlling plaque and tartar is one of the first steps towards maintaining healthy gums and preventing gum disease. To achieve this, it's essential to adopt and maintain good oral hygiene habits. Thorough brushing two to four times a day (ideally after every meal and at bedtime) and daily flossing help remove plaque as it forms. It then has no time to build up and turn into tartar.
Routine visits: at the heart of gum care
Preventive examination and professional cleaning also help to care for the gums. Both are essential to prevent gum disease and treat early stages of inflammation. As mentioned, only a cleaning that includes scaling can remove tartar build-up at the gum line. The examination, for its part, enables us to check the condition of the tissues and suggest appropriate preventive or curative treatments (root planing, open curettage).