Hi. I’m Dr. Gordon West. Welcome to my Boulder County dental blog! I find that many of my patients in the Boulder County area get a couple of dental terms mixed up. Today, I would like to clarify the differences between plaque, calculus, and cavities.
Plaque is a film that covers teeth – a sticky layer of bacteria. You can remove plaque through daily brushing and flossing. However, if it isn’t removed it can build up and harden into calculus.
Calculus, also known as tartar, is hardened plaque that also accumulates minerals from food and saliva. Regular check-ups and cleanings with your Boulder County cosmetic dentist are necessary to remove tartar as well as hard-to-reach plaque.
Plaque and calculus are not cavities, but they can lead to cavities. A cavity is basically a hole in the tooth caused by decay. Because plaque and calculus contain bacteria, the bacteria release acids which accelerate tooth decay and eventually lead to more cavities.
A good rule of thumb for Boulder County dental patients is this: Avoid plaque to avoid calculus and tartar to avoid tooth decay to avoid cavities. Got it?
I hope you’ve found this helpful, and if you’re in the Boulder County area and are in need of quality dental care, call our office at 303-665-5335 to schedule an appointment today. If you suffer from dental anxiety, be sure to ask us about sedation dentistry.
Our state-of-the-art dental care in a comfortable environment staff would love to answer any questions you have about our services, including cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, and veneers.
Dr. Gordon West
Gordon West DDS, Cosmetic & General Dentistry
1140 W South Boulder Rd, Ste 201
Lafayette, CO
303-665-5335
https://www.bouldercountysmiles.com/services/
