{"id":141,"date":"2019-11-16T16:24:02","date_gmt":"2019-11-16T16:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fresnofamilydental.com\/blog\/?p=141"},"modified":"2019-12-16T16:24:57","modified_gmt":"2019-12-16T16:24:57","slug":"long-term-effects-plaque-buildup-fresno-dentist-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fresnofamilydental.com\/blog\/long-term-effects-plaque-buildup-fresno-dentist-2\/","title":{"rendered":"More Than Yellow Teeth: The Long-Term Health Effects of Plaque Buildup"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Smiling<\/a><\/p>\n

Have you seen your dentist this year? If you\u2019ve been brushing your teeth regularly and even have some dental floss sitting in your medicine cabinet, maybe you\u2019ve been putting off your dental checkup. After all, if your teeth aren\u2019t hurting, it\u2019s easy to put your oral health on the back burner. On average, about 61% of Americans go to the dentist at least once a year, which means a little less than half of us skip getting our teeth cleaned professionally for a whole year. While brushing your teeth certainly helps combat yellow teeth and plaque, it won\u2019t protect you from everything. If you\u2019ve haven\u2019t seen your dentist in Fresno this year, find out why it\u2019s so important to get your dental checkup sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Plaque and Tarter Basics<\/h2>\n

Tooth plaque is a sticky, colorless film containing bacteria that develops along the gumline a few hours after eating. As it builds up, this bacteria releases acid that attacks your teeth and gums. Hardened, mineralized plaque is known as tarter and is easily identifiable by the yellow-brown stains it leaves on your teeth.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s So Bad About a Little Yellow?<\/h2>\n

Plaque and tarter aren\u2019t all about looks. If left untreated, the bacteria they contain can cause some serious health issues, like:<\/p>\n