Cosmetic Dentistry Directory Blog

There are always bacteria in the mouth – hundreds of kinds of bacteria. Not all of them are negative in themselves, but they all deposit harmful stuff on the teeth and gums. They live on tiny food particles left in the mouth. That enables them to thrive and multiply and spread into whatever cozy corners they find. They are only single-cell organisms but they digest food and leave excretions on the teeth and gums.

Their excretions are acidic in nature – they have a low pH value. Anything acidic will destroy whatever it comes into contact with, faster or slower according to how strongly acidic it is. Stomach acid breaks down food. Battery acid will burn a hole in metal. Bacterial deposits make holes in tooth enamel. The name for bacteria and their excretions is:

Plaque and Tartar

Plaque is a sticky biofilm and clings to the teeth and gums until you remove it. The goal of daily brushing and flossing is to reduce bacterial numbers on a regular basis. Hopefully that will counteract their perpetual tendency to increase in numbers. And fewer bacteria will mean fewer acidic excretions, which will expose your teeth and gums to less danger of gum disease.

When plaque is left on the teeth and gums long enough, it becomes hard and now it’s called tartar (or calculus). It cannot be brushed off. That is why regular trips to the dentist for cleanings are so important. A dental hygienist has special implements that can scrape off the acidic tartar and restore cleanliness to your mouth.

Tooth Pockets

A popular cozy corner for bacteria is between each tooth and its surrounding gums. Being microscopically tiny, bacteria can slip down there and breed. They leave excretions. It builds up and creates an enlarged space, separating the tooth from its attachment to the gums. This is a tooth pocket and your dentist can measure it. Small pockets are not yet gum disease but as the pockets get larger and bacteria more numerous, early gum disease is gradually established.

• If you have pockets measuring three millimeters or less, you are not yet in trouble;
• If many pockets grow to four or five millimeters, you have gum disease and should get it treated as soon as possible. You probably need some Fresh Breath Treatment too.
• If pockets grow even larger than five millimeters, you are in danger of losing teeth

On that cheerful note we will pause, and next week, please come to our Cosmetic Dentistry Directory for the next chapter in this story of gum disease.

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