How do you get rid of tartar?
Taking care of your teeth not only ensures you have a bright, healthy smile, it also promotes better overall health! Seeing your dentist at least twice a year is a great way to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and to detect issues before they progress. Tartar is a very common problem that can be taken care of with a simple professional cleaning.
What is tartar?
Plaque is a sticky film that develops on teeth and along the gum line throughout the day. When we eat, the bacteria in plaque also eat! They feed on the carbohydrates and sugars that we consume and use that energy to create enamel eroding acid. Plaque is easily removed with simple brushing and flossing. The reason that it is so important to remove plaque regularly is because within 24 hours, plaque left on the teeth can harden into tartar.
Tartar is rough and porous and can cause gum recession and inflammation, and since it makes it hard to brush and floss properly, you may be at higher risk of tooth decay. Tarter cannot be removed by brushing and flossing. It is much too hard and must be scraped off of the teeth using metal instruments.
When tartar gets into the pockets between the gum tissue and the tooth surface, you risk developing gum disease. Advanced periodontitis can cause irreversible damage to the teeth and gums. Severe gum disease can lead to bone deterioration which can cause tooth mobility and even tooth loss.
Can I remove tartar?
Once tartar has formed, only a dental professional will be able to remove it. Your dental hygienist has special tools and the training to safely remove tartar from your teeth. They use a combination of manual tools and ultrasonic tools to help break up and remove tartar buildup from your teeth.
While you cannot remove tartar on your own, you can certainly prevent it from forming! Here are some tips to prevent plaque from hardening into tartar.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
It is important to brush at least twice a day for 2 to 3 minutes using a soft bristle toothbrush. If you prefer a manual toothbrush, that is fine as long as you use proper brushing technique and for the recommended time. An electric toothbrush will time you so that you do not have to worry about how long you've been brushing. Electric toothbrushes also use a counter-rotational motion that helps remove as much plaque as possible with a toothbrush.
This brings us to floss! Flossing removes plaque and bacteria from in between your teeth where your toothbrush cannot reach, be it manual or electric. Using dental floss and an antiseptic mouthwash every day helps remove and kill plaque-causing bacteria. You may also find it beneficial to use a tartar control toothpaste that contains a fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel.
Practice Good Lifestyle Habits
Patients who smoke or use smokeless tobacco products are at higher risk of developing tartar as are patients that consume copious amounts of sugary and starchy foods. It is important to maintain a healthy diet, limiting the amount of sugar and carbohydrates that you intake.
Make sure to visit your dentist at least twice a year for a professional cleaning. Your hygienist will be able to quickly and safely remove tartar build up to get your teeth back to a healthy state!