Tartar and Teeth Damage
The best way to maintain a healthy, beautiful smile is with proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist! Plaque is the sticky film that forms on our teeth and along the gum line throughout the day. When plaque is not regularly removed, it hardens into tartar which must be removed by a dental professional. Plaque can harden into tartar in a few as 24 hours so daily brushing and flossing is crucial to prevent tartar build up.
Tartar forms in layers and is often a pale yellow color but can also be colorless. The first layer is the maturation phase and happens within 24 hours after the tartar forms. During this phase, the tartar cannot be removed with a toothbrush. The second layer is the mineralization phase at which point the tartar becomes even harder and more challenging to remove.
Everyone experiences plaque to some degree and some patients are simply more susceptible to developing tartar build up than others. Patients with poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, and those with crooked teeth often develop tartar. Left untreated, tartar can cause gum disease, tooth decay, and even tooth loss.
Complications From Tartar
Once tartar forms, it is much harder to properly clean your teeth. Tartar cannot be brushed away and it is too hard for floss to break through. Left to its own devices, tartar can quickly cause damage to tooth enamel and cavities.
There are pockets between our teeth and gum tissue where tartar can hide and buildup. This can lead to gum irritation and gingivitis. The gum tissue may begin to pull away from the tooth surface, exposing sensitive tooth roots. Gum recession may be treated with a deep cleaning but if the recession is severe, you may require a restorative procedure like a gum graft.
Tartar and Tooth Damage
Tartar buildup can begin to damage teeth in just a few months. When the tartar invades the gum line, the gum pockets expand, allowing for additional buildup of tartar and bacteria. The gum tissue protects our tooth roots which are very sensitive due to a lack of enamel but without the protective covering of gum tissue, roots can develop severe decay and infection. Infection at the roots and gum recession can all lead to bone deterioration in the jaw. Bone loss leads to tooth mobility and tooth loss.
Tartar build up can also lead to a piece of tooth breaking off, leaving a sharp edge on a tooth. Additionally, if a small piece of the tartar breaks off, it can get into your bloodstream. When this happens, blood vessels can narrow. Taking care of your teeth and gums is taking care of your entire body!
Don’t Try This At Home
There is a reason that you should not try to remove tartar on your own. Plaque is one thing, it's soft and can easily be removed with simple brushing and flossing. Tartar has to be scraped off using sharp metal instruments which can cause damage to tooth and enamel and gum tissue.
Tartar buildup is only one reason that it is so important to see your dentist at least twice a year. Tartar can lead to further damage that requires more extensive treatment and must be removed by a dental professional. Your dental hygienist has the training and tools necessary to safely remove plaque from your teeth!