With regular brushing, Oral-B Pro-Expert helps:
• Prevent Cavities
• Prevent Plaque
• Prevent Gum Problems
• Build increasing protection against painful sensitivity
• Prevent Tartar
• Whiten teeth by removing surface stains
• Prevent Enamel Erosion
• Freshen Breath

Two important dental hygiene issues are plaque and tartar control. Patients often confuse plaque and tartar and how they’re related to each other. Read on to learn how to differentiate them and tailor your dental hygiene routine to help control them.

Plaque
Plaque is a sticky, colourless deposit of bacteria that is constantly forming on the tooth surface. Saliva, food, and fluids combine to produce these deposits that collect on teeth and where teeth and gums meet.
The build-up of plaque can trap stains on the teeth, and it is also the primary factor in gum disease. Fighting plaque is a life-long part of good dental hygiene. Plaque can also lead to the development of cavities, which further weaken your teeth.
Plaque can begin forming on teeth four to 12 hours after brushing, which is why it is so important to brush at least twice a day and floss daily. Brushing teeth, although necessary, is not enough. Make sure to floss every day in order to get those hard-to-reach places between teeth to help prevent the build-up of plaque.

Tartar
Tartar, also called calculus, is a crusty deposit that can trap stains on the teeth and cause discolouration. Calcium and phosphate bind to form crystals on the teeth. These calcium phosphate crystals eventually harden within plaque, forming calculus. Certain types of chemicals called pyrophosphates help to decrease calculus build-up by stopping the growth of crystals on the tooth surface and preventing new crystals from forming. Tartar creates a strong bond that can only be removed by a dental professional. Its formation may also make it more difficult to remove new plaque bacteria, thus potentially creating problems further down the road.

Dental Hygiene for Prevention
Plaque and tartar do not affect everyone in the same way; individuals vary greatly in their susceptibility and resistance. For many of us, these deposits build up faster as we age, meaning the older you get, the more closely you have to monitor your dental hygiene routine. There are, however, several ways in which you can alter your dental hygiene practices to help protect your teeth from the build-up of plaque and tartar.
• Having your teeth cleaned professionally every six months, or more frequently as recommended by your dentist or hygienist
• Brushing with a toothpaste that contains pyrophosphate, which adheres to the tooth surface and inhibits the formation or growth of calculus crystals
• Brushing with toothpastes, which contain sodium hexametaphosphate, a pyrophosphate specially formulated to not only inhibit calculus, but also loosen and break the bonds of extrinsic stains for powerful whitening and a protective barrier to prevent future stains

Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is among the common causes of a toothache. The phrase “tooth sensitivity” refers to tooth discomfort or feelings of toothache in one or more teeth. The pain of tooth sensitivity is usually sharp, sudden, and shooting. Tooth sensitivity occurs when the layer of a tooth underneath the enamel (called the dentin) or the layer covering the root (called cementum) is exposed along the gum line due to receding gums. The exposed areas respond to hot and cold, and sometimes to sweet and spicy foods, and trigger pain.

The causes of tooth sensitivity vary, and if you have sensitive teeth, it may be due to several of these factors:
Overzealous brushing. You can have too much of a good thing. Brushing your teeth with too much force, or with a hard-bristle toothbrush, may wear down tooth enamel, expose the cementum or dentin, and cause tooth sensitivity.
Gum disease. Inflamed gum tissue pulls away from the tooth, leaving vulnerable areas exposed.
Tooth grinding. Grinding your teeth can cause the enamel to wear away and leave the dentin exposed.

If you have sensitive teeth, don’t neglect your daily oral care routine. Just be sure to use a soft toothbrush and soft floss. You can also try a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. Several brands are available, and you should notice some improvement with regular use of any of them. Also, try spreading some sensitising toothpaste along the exposed cementum or dentin area before bed to help reduce sensitivity. Just use your fingertip or a cotton swab to rub the toothpaste directly onto the exposed spot.

Glycerin, Hydrated Silica, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Propylene Glycol, PEG-6, Aqua, Zinc Lactate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Aroma, Sodium Gluconate, Chondrus crispus, Trisodium Phosphate, Sodium Saccharin, Copernicia cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Xanthan Gum, Cl 77891, Cinnamal, Silica, Eugenol, Cl 74160.

Contains Stannous Fluoride (1100ppm Fluoride) and Sodium Fluoride (350ppm Fluoride).

Not to be used by children under 12 years of age.

If you are unsure about the condition of your health and the appropriate treatment, always speak to a medical professional. All content on this website is for information purposes only and should not be regarded as professional medical advice. Always read the product label and instructions prior to using any product.