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Tooth and gum disease affects millions of people around the world every year, and with modern diets being to blame for many of the problems, dental experts are finding themselves treating entirely preventable ailments more and more. A little-known fact about plaque and tartar, which are two of the leading causes of tooth decay, is that they can actually affect more than just our teeth and in this article, we’ll be exploring some of the medical conditions that have arisen as a result of an untreated build-up of these two substances.

What are Plaque and Tartar?

Plaque is an adhesive residue that often forms when food particles are left inside of your mouth. Although these particles can be brushed away, they can also begin to build up, resulting in a thick substance that can adhere to teeth and gums. Tartar on the other hand occurs when the plaque is able to harden, and it’s considered the more severe consequence, being one of the main reasons why so many try to find a dentist office in Lake Mary, Florida every year.

How Can They Affect Our Health?

One of the most obvious ways that plaque and tartar can impact our well-being is by recognizing these substances for what they are - decomposing food. There’s a reason why we throw old consumables away, and that’s because they can quickly play host to an assortment of bacteria. The same goes for decomposing food left behind within our teeth and under our gums.

This bacteria can grow and spread, and every time that we swallow, we are consuming trace amounts, which then enter our stomach and gut, our intestines, and other organs within our bodies.

Is This Dangerous?

It can be, especially if left untreated. Our bodies, especially our stomach and intestines contain good bacteria that help us to break down our foods and digest them properly. When harmful bacteria are present, our internal balance can be thrown off. This can lead to a wide variety of medical conditions - some of which are fairly minor, while others can become more serious.

Events such as bloating, right through to gastroenteritis and worse can occur, and this is why it’s important to protect our bodies from every opening that can allow bacteria inside. 

Fortunately, plaque and tartar are fairly simple to treat when visiting a dentist. They’ll typically be able to break apart any residue and build-up, before safely removing it to provide a clean, fresh level of oral hygiene that will minimize the risks posed by these potentially harmful materials.