Tartar
What is Tartar
Tartar is hardened dental plaque. Plaque is a soft, colorless substance that is formed by bacteria in the mouth. The bacteria that most often cause the formation of tartar are strains of streptococci mutans and sobrinus.
Maintaining good oral hygiene, which consists of regular brushing with a suitable brush and toothpaste, following a low-carbohydrate diet and good hydration, prevent the accumulation of dental plaque.
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene also requires flossing, using the correct technique to avoid gum damage.
If plaque is not removed promptly and allowed to build up, it begins to harden after about 26 hours and forms tartar.
It is made up of hardened anaerobic bacteria that are firmly held together by calcium phosphates contained in saliva. Tartar adheres firmly to the teeth and forms a cement-like plaque with a rough surface.
This surface layer provides an ideal environment for further plaque build-up and the formation of more tartar.
It usually accumulates around the base of the teeth, in the area just above the gums, and over time the space between the gum and the enamel increases, making the unprotected neck of the tooth accessible to bacteria.
Once tartar is formed, it is difficult to remove with a regular toothbrush. Conventional treatment for tartar removal is with a dentist using an ultrasonic scaler and special tools to manually remove the remaining tartar that could not be removed by the ultrasonic tool.
What are the symptoms
- Gums irritated and inflamed. If no measures are taken to remove it, the calculus until the gums recede.
- Destruction of the tooth enamel and the appearance of caries, and the dentin becomes the ideal food for the streptococci.
- Bad bite;
- Tooth enamel staining, making the surface of the tooth appear more yellowish;
What are the causes of tartar
- Consumption of sweet and carbohydrate foods: One of the main causes of tartar formation is frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks, as well as products high in refined carbohydrates such as starches and pasta. These substances serve as a breeding ground for bacteria in the mouth and promote the formation of plaque, which over time mineralizes and becomes hard tartar.
- Poor oral hygiene: Irregular brushing and flossing is also a serious factor in tartar formation. If you do not clean your teeth regularly and properly, plaque, which contains bacteria and food particles, will remain on the surface of the teeth and turn into tartar over time.
- Dehydration: Dehydration or insufficient salivation can promote tartar formation. Saliva plays an important role in oral hygiene as it helps wash away bacteria and food debris from the teeth. Therefore, if you are subject to dry mouth due to diseases or other factors, you risk developing tartar more quickly.
- Smoking: Tobacco consumption and smoking are also associated with tartar formation. Nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco can impair oral hygiene and contribute to tartar formation.
- Diabetes: Diabetes is a chronic disease that can increase the risk of tartar formation. Unregulated blood glucose can impair oral hygiene and contribute to calculus build-up.
Tartar is not only a cosmetic problem, it can also lead to serious health problems such as periodontitis (gum disease) and tooth decay.
To prevent the formation of tartar, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene, limit the consumption of sugary and carbohydrate foods, avoid smoking and monitor your health status, including diabetes control, if you are affected.
Dental visits and regular check-ups are also essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Regardless of the causes of tartar formation, proper oral health care is key to preventing this problem and maintaining a beautiful and healthy smile.
Treatment of tartar and how to protect against it
- Maintaining excellent oral hygiene, which consists of regularly brushing the teeth properly and carefully cleaning the spaces between the teeth with dental floss , being very careful not to injure the gums;
- Observing a proper diet – simple carbohydrates such as simple sugar produced from sugar cane and refined foods should be avoided;
- Try to maintain an alkaline environment in your mouth. Tartar only forms in a more acidic environment. Baking soda can be used as a mouthwash or straight up as a toothpaste and together with a proper diet will prevent harmful acidity in the mouth.
- Get tartar cleaned by a dentist if already has formed under the gums and you are unable to remove it.
