Contents:
- Medical Video: Teaching Kids About the Causes & Effects of Cavities : Dental Health
- Differences in dental caries and cavities
- So, what is tartar?
Medical Video: Teaching Kids About the Causes & Effects of Cavities : Dental Health
Whatever your age, you must brush your teeth regularly to maintain healthy teeth and mouth. Because if you don't, you can get dental caries, tartar or cavities. Well, many people still have difficulty distinguishing between dental and dental cavities because their characteristics tend to be similar. Have you known the difference between the three dental problems? Come on, find out the answer in the following review.
Differences in dental caries and cavities
Some people or even yourself may still be confused about the difference in dental caries and cavities. Because the two conditions have the same characteristics, namely the existence of holes in the teeth.
In fact, dental and dental cavities are two interconnected conditions. Dental caries is actually a medical term better known as tooth decay or cavities.
Dental caries is a condition of damage to the structure and layers of teeth that occur gradually. This begins with the erosion of the enamel or the outer layer of the tooth, then gnawing at the dentin or the middle layer of the tooth, and eventually reaches the cementum, aka the root of the tooth.
Dental caries is generally caused by the habit of eating sweet foods or rarely brushing teeth. When you eat sweet foods, bacteria in the mouth will change the sugar content of leftovers to acid. If you are lazy to brush your teeth, these acid deposits can turn into white, yellow, brown or black plaques on your teeth.
If this dental caries is not immediately treated, then tooth decay can become more severe and cause cavities. At first, you will feel ache after eating cold, hot or sweet foods or drinks.
Over time, cavities that are already severe can make you experience unbearable toothache.
So, what is tartar?
Tartar is actually not much different from dental plaque. The difference is that plaque attached to the teeth can be cleaned by brushing teeth regularly, while tartar can only be cleaned or removed by scaling method.
Dental plaque is a collection of bacteria, dirt, or food scraps that stick to the teeth and mouth. The dental plaque that was originally yellow can turn hard and black if it is not immediately treated. Over time, the black plaque will look like a rock attached to the teeth.
Tartar usually forms above the gum line and tends to be rough. You must not underestimate this one dental problem, you know. Because the tartar that is not immediately removed can cause receding teeth, cavities, and gum disease.
That's why you must brush your teeth regularly, at least twice a day in the morning and before going to bed at night. In addition, schedule a visit to the dentist every six months to prevent various dental and mouth problems.
