Do you ever get certain dental terms mixed up? A lot of our patients at Montz & Maher Dental Group in Pearland do. We’re going to use this blog post 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 Pearland 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 is this: Avoid plaque to avoid calculus and tartar to avoid tooth decay to avoid cavities.
At Montz and Maher Dental Group in Pearland, we want the best possible dental health for all our patients. Services include family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule your next appointment today!
Contact Montz and Maher Dental Group:
832-895-5120
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
2443 S Galveston Ave
Pearland, Texas
77581
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