Preserving our dental health first begins with a thorough assessment from your Ottawa dentist. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, what better time than the present! Once your dentist has examined your mouth they will let you know if you have any current issues that need to be addressed or if there’s something that may be developing and should be nipped in the bud before it becomes much worse. The appearance of plaque is definitely in the latter category.
The accumulation of plaque may be a warning sign for you and your dentist, but for archaeologists it’s pretty amazing. “Solidified plaque—called calculus, tartar, or that chalky stuff the dentist scrapes off—contains a whopping 25 times more DNA than ancient tooth or bone. Calculus is the only part of your body to fossilize while you’re still alive. It begins as plaque, which forms when bacteria and bits of food meet saliva. If it’s not washed away by brushing and flossing, the calcium phosphate in saliva solidifies, depositing layer after layer of calculus where the teeth meet the gums. Bacteria, food, human DNA, and proteins are all trapped in the calculus like bugs in amber.”
This may be amazing information, but definitely not a reason to let plaque build up in your mouth. Make sure to regularly and thoroughly brush your teeth daily, floss, clean your tongue, rinse and visit your Ottawa dentist.
