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A 34-year-old member asked:

Should i still floss if i already have tartar/plaque on my teeth?

3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. John Thaler
Dr. John Thaleranswered
Prosthodontics 43 years experience
Absolutely: It will help keep more from forming. Will also help keep the tissues as healthy as possible given the existing tartar. It will remove the plaque, but not the tartar. See your dentist for exam and hygienist for the cleaning. Plenty of good ones here in the philly area.
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5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Dr. Kenneth Grossman
A Verified Doctoranswered
Endodontics 46 years experience
Yes: Brushing only cleans part of your teeth. Flossing is essential for good oral hygiene . Flossing or brushing does not remove the hard deposits once formed. But it does prevent them in the first place. Get a good dental cleaning then brush and floss regularly.
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5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Dr. Ron Jones
Dr. Ron Jones agrees1 doctor agrees
Dr. Arnold Malerman
Dr. Arnold Malermananswered
Orthodontics 55 years experience
Only if...: Only if you don't want more tarter to form. Tarter is calcified plaque, the sticky bacteria/food debris gunk that likes to collect between teeth where a toothbrush can't reach. If you have tarter removing it is not a diy project...Call your dentist. Get your mouth professionally cleaned, then brush 2 full minutes 2x/day and floss every day.
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4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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Dr. Dave Burns
Dr. Dave Burns agrees1 doctor agrees

Related questions

A 19-year-old female asked:
While flossing, a piece of tartar/plaque came off. I flossed so hard to get rid of it my gums bleed. Did i just increase my risk of a heartattack?
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A 61-year-old male asked:
Why would a person really need to brush and floss teeth after a morning breakfast since plaque does not form for 24 hours? Halitosis, only?
1 doctor answer • 10 doctors weighed in
A 69-year-old male asked:
In general, when I brush and floss at bedtime does a bacteria biofilm actually form on teeth by the morning? And, if not removed, night time brushing will not really remove it as it has turned to hard tarter/plaque?
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A 19-year-old male asked:
What do I do if I was flossing, and the back part of my tooth fell out. It is very small, but it wasn't calculus or plaque. I feel no pain but am slightly freaking out?
3 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 68-year-old male asked:
Dental: I just had my quarterly periodontal cleaning yesterday. I eat some sugar free cookies during the daytime. Do not want that first build up of plaque that won't come off with flossing. How often should I floss and when mainly due to snacks?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Last updated Feb 12, 2023

Found in:

Plaque

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