Is Tartar normal on teeth?
When tartar builds up on your teeth, it can make proper flossing and brushing difficult, leading to gum disease, bad breath, and tooth decay. When sticky plaque is not regularly removed, it hardens into tartar, typically within a small 48 hour window. Plaque is easily removed with brushing and flossing but once it hardens into tartar, only a dental professional can remove it with cleaning tools like a scaler and ultrasonic machine.
Everybody has some degree of plaque on their teeth because it simply builds up throughout the day as we eat and drink. Removing plaque is crucial to prevent the formation of tartar which is significantly more damaging to teeth.
What causes tartar?
It is recommended to brush after every meal because the plaque that forms on our teeth has bacteria that love the sugary and starchy foods we eat. The bacteria consume the sugars in those foods and produce enamel eroding acid which in turn causes tooth decay. While plaque is a thin, sticky film, tartar is rough and porous and can build up to considerable thickness.
Without treatment, tartar can lead to gum disease and gum recession which can cause severe sensitivity in the teeth and be much more expensive to treat. Some patients are at a risk of developing plaque more quickly than other. Such patients are those who consume a lot of sugary products, smoke or use smokeless tobacco products, and those who have dry mouth.
Can I prevent tartar?
Everyone develops some degree of plaque throughout the day but it is important to prevent accumulation with good oral hygiene that includes flossing at least once a day and brushing at least twice a day. You can:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, manual or electric
- Use oral hygiene products that contain fluoride
- Limit sweets and starchy foods
- Avoid smoking or using smokeless tobacco
How is tartar removed?
Tartar has to be removed by a dental professional using special tools. Patients that have dense tartar formation on their teeth may need a debridement before a full cleaning can be done. A debridement is typically done in a separate appointment followed by a cleaning at a later visit. Additionally, patients with severe tartar buildup may be advised to have a scaling and root planing performed to eradicate infection and tartar buildup below the gum line.
Tartar buildup can inhibit your dentist's ability to examine your teeth but your dental hygienist can use ultrasonic instruments and hand tools to break up and remove the tartar.
It is important to proceed with any recommended treatment to bring your mouth back to a healthy state before periodontal disease can set in and cause further damage. It is much more difficult to treat gum recession and bone loss and then it is to prevent it. It is important to see your dentist at least twice a year to ensure your mouth stays healthy and give you the best chance of keeping your natural teeth as long as possible!