MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Plaque and tartar on teeth

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Plaque and tartar on teeth

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Illustrations Alternative names	Information

Illustrations

Teach children to brush

Teething symptoms

Alternative names Return to top

Tartar and plaque on teeth; Calculus

Information Return to top

Recommendations for preventing and removing tartar or plaque on your teeth include the following:

Brush at least twice a day with a brush that is not too large for your mouth and that has soft, rounded bristles. The brush should let you reach every surface in your mouth easily, and the toothpaste should contain fluoride.
Floss gently at least once a day. This is important to prevent gum disease.
See your dentist or oral hygienist every 6 months for a thorough teeth cleaning and oral examination.

Dental sealants are a means of protecting teeth from decay by sealing over healthy pits, fissures, and grooves in the teeth. Well-balanced meals are also recommended for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

See oral hygiene for details.

Update Date: 10/20/2003

Updated by: Michael Kapner, D.D.S., Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry, New Rochelle, N.Y., Editor, Ninth District Dental Association. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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