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Hannah hygienist Portishead

What’s the different between plaque, tartar and calculus?

What is plaque?

Plaque is a soft, sticky film of harmful bacteria that builds up on your teeth and under your gums between brushing. This can easily be removed by brushing for a minimum of 2 minutes, twice a day and using either floss or interdental brushes each day.

If plaque is missed whilst brushing, this can cause your gums too become inflamed and may cause bleeding or decay.

What is tartar?

If plaque stays on your teeth for too long, it can harden, forming tartar, also known as calculus.

Tartar is not easy to remove through brushing or flossing and is usually needed to be removed by a hygienist to ensure that your gums stay healthy.

What happens if plaque and tartar aren’t removed?

If plaque and tartar are not removed, your gums will become inflamed, making it sore and uncomfortable. It can also give you bad breath due to the accumulation of bacteria.

If plaque accumulates on teeth and is not removed regularly, it may move downwards on your tooth until it reaches your bone that hold your teeth in place and starts to destroy the bone. This is a non reversible condition called periodontitis.

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In this video, Carol explains how loupes help dentists see the tiniest details with absolute precision. 🔍✨

They allow us to:
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It’s all about combining expertise with the best tools, so you can feel confident you’re in safe hands. 🦷💙

#DentalCare #HealthySmile #BehindTheScenesDentistry
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✅ No drilling
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Watch now to see if composite bonding could be right for you!

#CompositeBonding #SmileGoals #DentalAesthetics #ConfidentSmile
Meet Jemma, our Assistant Practice Manager, why not say hello next time you are in the pratice.
📣 An important update from Dr Carol Somerville Roberts

In this video, Carol shares some personal news about reducing her clinical days from early 2026, following advice from her consultant. While this means she’ll be seeing fewer patients day-to-day, Carol will still be very much involved in Evolve Dentistry, continuing to provide treatments such as amalgam removal and cosmetic dentistry, and ensuring we deliver the highest standards of care.

We’re also thrilled to share that Carol will be taking on the role of President of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry this November 👏 — a fantastic recognition of her expertise and dedication to dentistry.

For many patients, your care will now be with Dr Richard Ford, Carol’s long-standing colleague and friend. Richard shares the same commitment to excellence and patient care that Evolve is known for, and we know you’ll be in excellent hands.

Thank you, as always, for your trust and support. 💙

#EvolveDentistry #PatientCare #DentalTeam #CosmeticDentistry
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