Plaque, Gum Disease, and Tooth Loss

Plaque strikes people in the Santa Cruz area at all stages of life: from the youngest child through the elderly population. And as a family dentist, Dr. Joseph Valle of Santa Cruz Dental Care can help patients of all ages by removing the build-up of plaque that accumulates between dental visits.

You can help reduce the accumulation of plaque if you brush and floss regularly. When this soft, sticky layer of bacteria is allowed to build up, it can have serious consequences for your teeth. Dr. Valle is dedicated to educating the Santa Cruz area about the danger of plaque build-up leading to gum disease.

Avoiding the dentist can allow dental problems such as this to compound, leading to tooth loss. A missing tooth is not only unattractive, but it can cause structural problems in your mouth.

Some patients assume that as long as they’re still able to eat without their missing tooth, that there’s no problem. Dr. Valle helps patients understand that just one missing tooth can lead to other oral difficulties. The remaining teeth may begin to drift into the empty space, causing a change in way you bite or chew. It also forces the remaining teeth to carry an additional load, and you may begin to experience pain when you’re eating—or even when you aren’t.

Our goal at Santa Cruz Dental Care is to help you enjoy the best oral health possible, whether that’s simply removing plaque during a regular dental appointment or more advanced solutions such as replacing one or more missing teeth. Count on Dr. Valle to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

For more information or to make an appointment, call Santa Cruz Dental Care in Santa Cruz today at (831) 423-2400.