Tartar, also known as dental calculus or tartar, can cause one of the most common oral problems, despite the fact that many people do not give it too much importance. The appearance and accumulation of this unsightly plaque not only makes our smile ugly, but can have more damaging consequences for our oral health.
It basically consists of the calcification of bacterial plaque, or dental plaque. When this plaque is not removed correctly and regularly, when it mixes with saliva and food debris in our mouth, it hardens and darkens, going from white to yellowish to brown.
What causes the appearance of tartar?
As we have mentioned, tartar forms when bacterial plaque mixes with saliva and food debris and hardens. This can be the result of poor oral hygiene, but this 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 acidity level further weaken tooth enamel, making us more vulnerable to cavities. On the other hand, a pH with a low level of acidity makes us more prone to the formation of tartar, but less to cavities.
The eating habits They also influence the appearance of tartar. The consumption of sugar, soft drinks, wine or tobacco, to name a few, alter the pH of saliva and bacterial plaque.
What consequences does the appearance of tartar have?
Tartar in our mouth is not only an aesthetic inconvenience, but can cause or aggravate other health problems, such as:
- Gingivitis: tartar favors inflammation and irritation of the gums.
- Bad breath or halitosis, caused by a type of bacteria that produce sulfur compounds.
- Caries, since the bacteria in tartar weaken the tooth enamel.
- Periodontitis, when tartar accumulates under the gums.
- systemic diseases, has been associated to heart problems such as heart attacks or strokes.
How can we solve it?
There are two scenarios: remove tartar that has already appeared, and prevent it.
If the tartar has already hardened, we need to go to the dentist to remove it by a mouth 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 the loss of gums, the cleaning will be deeper, with the need for 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 scraping.
Once we have done the cleaning, we can prevent it from reappearing with some 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 brush does not 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 prevent dental plaque from hardening and turning into tartar. Let our trusted dentist advise us, you 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 remaining in the mouth for a long time.
Y, Be careful with home remedies! Some of the tips found on the internet, such as brushing your teeth with bicarbonate of soda or adding a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to toothpaste, cause problems in the medium and long term, since they weaken the enamel that protects your teeth.
If you need a cleaning, now you can have it done at the Ahoa Dental Clinic with a 50% discount. Only until June 15! Call 93 343 66 41 and find out.
50% discount on Oral Hygiene
- tartar removal
- Stain removal: coffee, tobacco, alcohol...
- Polished with bicarbonate microparticles
Only until June 15, 2019. Call 93 343 66 41 and find out.