Dental plaque can build up over your teeth and eventually enter the gums, leading to gingivitis or periodontitis. Your gums may start receding and bleeding, plus your teeth will become increasingly painful and sensitive, eventually leading to tooth loss if left untreated. If you suspect you have gingivitis or periodontitis, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kevin Boulard at Something To Smile About for treatment options in Merrimack, NH.

Here are a few helpful tips to reduce the risk of plaque buildup under your gums:

Brush and floss every day

Your first line of defense to prevent plaque buildup is to practice regular dental hygiene, like daily brushing and flossing after meals. This good dental habit can reduce plaque and harmful agents that create new cavities, which produce damaging effects to your teeth and gums. Proper brushing and flossing also help remove debris from in between the teeth and other hard-to-reach spaces. If left in the teeth for too long, that debris can fester and create problems for your dental health.

If you need help on the proper way to brush and floss, the dental experts at Something To Smile About can instruct you on good oral hygiene, including using antiseptic mouthwash daily and dental products that carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Be mindful of what you eat and drink

You also need to keep your diet in check to prevent unwanted bacteria from building on your teeth and possibly producing plaque. Various foods and drinks can produce acids that trigger cavities, with sugars and starches being the most common ones to avoid. The bacteria in your mouth can interact with the sugars and starches by increasing acid production, which produces cavities if not kept under control.

Attend regular dental visits

While your at-home preventive measures can help reduce your potential for developing buildup under your gums, you won’t be able to clear everything from your teeth. You’ll require an experienced dentist in Merrimack, NH, like Dr. Boulard, for help removing excess plaque and tartar from your mouth. We use the latest in dental cleaning tools to help remove excess plaque, including dental scalers that can remove the plaque and tartar that builds and forms on your teeth. Tartar is a hardened form of plaque that you cannot remove yourself, but a qualified dentist can safely remove it from in between teeth as well as those hard to reach areas.

Contact us today for quality dental care in Merrimack, NH

Whether it’s at home or with an office visit, constant dental care is critical for keeping your teeth healthy and ensuring plaque and bacteria do not build up under the gums. At Something To Smile About in Merrimack, NH, we want to cater to all of your dental needs. Our team can review your needs and find a suitable treatment that woks for your life. Contact us today to receive quality dental care with whatever needs you have for your smile.