Causes of tartar and how to prevent it

Tartar, also known as dental calculus or tartar, can cause one of the most frequent oral problems, although many people do not give it much importance. The appearance and accumulation of this unsightly plaque not only spoils our smile, but can have more detrimental consequences for our oral health.

It basically consists of the calcification of bacterial plaque, or dental plaque. When this plaque is not eliminated correctly and regularly, when it mixes with saliva and food debris in our mouth, it hardens and darkens, turning from white to yellowish to brown.

What causes the appearance of tartar?

As mentioned above, tartar forms when bacterial plaque mixes with saliva and food debris and hardens. This can be the result of poor oral hygiene, but it is not always the case. There are areas that are more difficult to clean, such as the back of the lower front teeth, or the spaces between teeth or between the gum and the tooth.

Another influencing factor is the pH of saliva, which varies from person to person. For example, pHs that have a high level of acidity weaken tooth enamel more, making us more vulnerable to caries. On the other hand, a pH with a low level of acidity makes us more prone to tartar formation, but less prone to caries.

Eating habits also influence the appearance of tartar. The consumption of sugar, carbonated beverages, wine or tobacco, to give some examples, alter the pH of saliva and bacterial plaque.

What are the consequences of the appearance of tartar?

Tartar in our mouth is not only an aesthetic inconvenience, but can cause or aggravate other health problems, such as:

• Gingivitis: tartar promotes inflammation and irritation of the gums.
• Bad breath or halitosis, caused by a type of bacteria that produce sulfur compounds.
• Caries, as tartar bacteria weaken tooth enamel.
• Periodontitis, when tartar accumulates under the gums.
• Systemic diseases, it has been associated with cardiological problems such as heart attack or stroke.

How can we solve it?

There are two scenarios: removing tartar that has already appeared, and preventing it.

If the tartar has already hardened, it is necessary to go to the dentist to have it removed by means of an oral cleaning. It is a painless process that does not require anesthesia, although if there is high dental sensitivity, anesthesia can be applied in the form of a spray.

If the tartar has deepened causing gum loss, the cleaning will be deeper, with the need of local anesthesia. In some cases, such as when there is periodontal disease, it is very important to remove the tartar accumulated under the gums, with a process known as curettage or scaling.

Once we have done the cleaning, we can prevent its reappearance with a few simple tips:

• Brush our teeth every time we eat, and at least three times a day. We must not forget the tongue and massage the gums.
• Use dental floss or interdental brushes to remove debris between the teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach. The dental irrigator can be a supplement but not a substitute for the interdental brush.
• Use toothpastes and mouthwashes with fluoride, as it helps to prevent dental plaque from hardening and turning into tartar. Let our trusted dentist advise us, we may need a mouthwash with active ingredients such as chlorhexidine.
• Try not to snack on sweet things or drink juices and soft drinks between meals. This will prevent the remains of sugary foods from staying in the mouth for a long time.

And beware of home remedies! Some of the tips you find on the Internet, such as brushing your teeth with baking soda or adding a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to your toothpaste, cause problems in the medium and long term, as they weaken the enamel that protects your teeth.

If you need a cleaning, now you can have it done at Clínica Odontológica Ahoa with a 50% discount, only until June 15th! Call 93 343 66 41 and find out more.

50% discount in Oral Hygiene

• Tartar removal
• Stain removal: coffee, tobacco, alcohol…
• Polishing with bicarbonate microparticles

Only until June 15, 2019. Call 93 343 66 41 and find out more.