Plaque is the soft and sticky substance that accumulates on the teeth from food debris and bacteria. Plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing thoroughly. If plaque is not removed, it can lead to gum disease and cavities. Regular dental check ups, brushing and flossing daily, and eating nutritional snacks will help to prevent plaque from forming on the teeth.

Answer: Calculus, also known as tartar, is the hardened residue that forms on your teeth when plaque is not removed. Plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing daily. If tartar is allowed to remain on the teeth and below the gumline, it can lead to chronic infection and inflammation. The only way to remove tartar is to have your teeth professionally cleaned at your dental office.

Answer: Periodontitis is the serious and advanced stage of gum disease, which includes bone loss. Periodontitis is irreversible. The gum tissue and bone that surround and support your teeth could become seriously damaged and the teeth affected could become loose and fall out. Periodontitis occurs when the early stage of periodontal disease, gingivitis, is left untreated. Periodontitis has also been linked to serious health problems such as an increased risk of stroke and heart attacks. Some research has even suggested that gum disease can cause premature birth and low birth weight.

Answer: A veneer is a thin shell made out of porcelain or composite material. They are custom made and bonded to the front side of the tooth. A veneer can be used to treat various dental conditions including slightly crooked, discolored, chipped teeth; gaps between teeth; and worn teeth. A veneer can be made by the dentist or in a dental laboratory, depending on the materials used and the preference of the dentist.

Answer: An abscess of the tooth is an infection. An abscess can include pus and swelling of the soft gum tissue surrounding the tooth. An abscess can develop from tooth decay or tooth trauma, such as a broken tooth. If there is an opening in the enamel of a tooth, such as a cavity, bacteria can get in and infect the pulp (center) of the tooth and cause an abscess. Once an abscess occurs, the infection could spread throughout the mouth and body. A root canal is usually the only option to save a tooth once it has become abscessed. If you suspect that you have an abscessed tooth, you should see your dentist right away.

Answer: A Root Canal is a dental procedure to fix a tooth by removing the pulp chamber of the tooth and filling it with a suitable filling material. A root canal is usually performed when the tooth cannot be filled or restored any other way because the decay has reached the nerve of the tooth or the tooth has become infected. A root canal is also called root canal therapy or root canal treatment.

In the past, oral health has been associated only with the mouth. New research has found that the advanced stage of gum disease, periodontitis, is linked with health problems such as heart disease and stroke. Some research has even suggested that periodontitis can cause premature birth and low birth weights in newborns. Even though studies have linked gum disease to many health problems, the American Dental Association states that, "just because two conditions occur at the same time, doesn’t necessarily mean that one condition causes the other." Much more research is needed on this subject.