Plaque! Advice please??

Message

#1 Post by **roxxie** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 9:43 pm

I've had my lower bonded retainer for about 6 months. Now I've got a ton of yellow plaque forming between my front bottom teeth! At first I thought it was just the cement showing, but it is definitely spreading no matter how much I brush and floss.

Clearly I need to go to the dentist for a cleaning. However I am away from my hometown and my regular dentist until August and I don't want to see a different one. My question is, I know that plaque is bad but I don't know how bad. I am susceptible to cavities. I don't completely understand what plaque is, and I'm wondering if I should make a trip back now (at a cost of about $100) or will it be alright to wait 2 more months? The plaque has only been obvious for about a month or two (I ignored it for the first month as I thought it was the cement), but it's totally grossing me out.

Help please?? Has anyone else had this problem? I will be requesting that this darn thing be removed asap! (I had my braces removed on June 8th).

#2 Post by **changes09** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:22 pm

i you thought that that plaque was cement i am guessing its hard. when plaque turns hard it becomes calculus (sp?) and this what you donh't want. the calculus will end up going under the gum destroying the bone. it can also cause gingivitis. i you have to wait 2 months just floss and brush like crazy! use mouthwash...don't let it get worse!

#3 Post by **uvraise** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:42 pm

Look at it this way, $100 now, or possibly thousands later on! I would go.

#4 Post by **UGHBRACES** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 6:38 am

Go buy one of those metal dental picks and scrape it off.

#5 Post by **browneyedgrl** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 4:08 pm

I agree with UGHBRACES, I would get a metal dental pic. I've had my lower bonded retain for almost 4 weeks and the mental dental pic works wonders.

B

#6 Post by bb » Sat Jun 27, 2009 7:11 pm

I use a plaque-scraper that I bought at the drugstore - it looks similar to the one that the dentist uses.
It works great. I got great feedback on my last cleaning.

#7 Post by **roxxie** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 9:11 pm

Thanks everyone, I thought about getting a metal pick but I was worried about potentially damaging my teeth? Can I scrape at them and not hurt them? I used a sewing needle to scrape at it, just to make sure it wasn't really cement, and some came off, but I stopped because I was afraid of hurting my enamel.

#8 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:52 am

Plaque deposits can become calcified and become what is called calculus... just like the spelling of the math subject.

It is hard and you should not expect to be able to remove it with a brush/floss. The rate of buildup is going to vary between people depending on a lot of factors, including the mineral content of your saliva.

It will cause gingival inflammation that is reversible when the source is removed in a timely fashion. Attempting to remove it on your own may work, but could result in dislodging your retainer, or damage to your gums.

For anyone with fixed, bonded retainers, it is important to maintain proper oral hygiene using floss threaders or superfloss from the beginning.

Good luck!

#9 Post by **roxxie** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:20 pm

Thanks everyone for your help. I will get to a dentist as soon as I can.