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What is
dental tartar?
Dr. Hall:
I recently noticed a yellow buildup that feels very gritty at
times on the front and back side of my lower facial teeth (4 lower front
teeth). The back side appears thicker and more wide spread than the front.
Also, the back side appears to be chipping off along the edges of each
tooth. I initially thought that I was loosing enamel, but last night another
piece came off while I was flossing and I could see white beneath it (not
dark dentin). I read that tartar is
hardened plaque that can be a brown to yellow color, and that only dentists
can remove it. Is it possible that the chipping is tartar and not my enamel?
I’m only 28 years old and brush and floss fairly regularly.
However I haven’t been to a dentist in 4 or so years. I do have an
appointment in a few weeks—should
I be concerned about this and try to see the dentist as early as possible?
—Peter from Boston |
