What Is Tartar?
Tartar is a hard substance that builds up when saliva, food, and other mouth fluids that cause plaque continue to accumulate without proper cleaning. As plaque builds up on the surfaces of your teeth, more tartar will continue to form. As such, it can continue to worsen over time if you don’t address it, eventually leading to gum disease and other dental problems.
Tartar Buildup and Gum Disease
Gum disease begins with something known as gingivitis, where the gums become red, swollen, and may bleed. The plaque buildup of bacteria attaches along your teeth and gum line, leading to unwanted inflammation around the teeth. Without addressing this plaque buildup, tartar settles underneath your gums. This means the toxins in the bacteria ultimately lead to more advanced stages of gum disease. Prevention of gum disease starts with addressing tartar buildup before it becomes a problem.
Prevention and Removal of Tartar
Estimates show that nearly 68% of the adult population has tartar buildup. This is because if plaque is not regularly removed, it hardens and becomes tartar quickly. Preventing tartar can be done in a few basic steps in your daily and nightly routine:
- Brush your teeth morning and night for at least two minutes with a tartar control toothpaste.
- Floss in between all teeth.
- Use mouthwash to kill the bacteria that lead to tartar and plaque buildup.
Having professional regular dental cleanings is also key to removing tartar and plaque from the teeth. These cleanings are recommended every six months and are incredibly important to prevent gum disease because the best way to prevent tartar buildup is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Although you should be following the above-mentioned routine to eliminate plaque buildup, removing tartar at home is not recommended. A professional dental office has special tools to help scrape the tartar off your teeth safely and effectively.
Concerned about tartar buildup in your mouth? Looking for a Mansfield Dentist? Let us help! At Crosspointe Dental, we provide comprehensive family dentistry with caring and knowledgeable staff, simple processes, and a comfortable environment. Our dentists and hygienist professionals can help you target the tartar in your mouth and improve your dental hygiene to stave off gum disease and other dental problems.
Content found on this blog is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional judgement, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please speak with a professional if you have concerns about your oral health.
