Many people have heard about tartar thanks to advertisements for various toothpastes, but they do not take this phenomenon very seriously. Artur Tumashevich, a dental therapist, orthopedist and surgeon, shared why it is dangerous, for what reasons it appears and why it is important to deal with it in a timely manner.
Plaque and tartar: what is the difference
It is very simple to understand this issue. Plaque is soft dental deposits that form in both the supragingival and subgingival spaces around teeth and implants. It consists of waste products of bacteria, the number of which is quite large in the oral cavity, saliva, as well as light fragments of our food.
Tartar is a slightly different, more complex structure. It somewhat resembles scale, like in a kettle. The fact is that tartar is already mineralized, hardened deposits that contain:
- mucous particles;
- fragments of bacterial activity;
- stale food;
- fragments of saliva that have formed additional seals;
- small pieces of recently consumed food;
- enzymes and so on.
All these components together form, in some cases, a fairly dense structure that takes more than one day or two to create—this can take a week or more. Tartar forms not only on your own teeth, but also on fillings, dentures and artificial crowns.
What does tartar look like
Spotting tartar buildup on the surface of your teeth can be relatively easy, as it usually appears as a yellow or brown stain. At home, to see it, you can use tablets to indicate plaque. With their help, areas with plaque will become temporarily colored, and you will notice the area of work.
Don't miss
- Don't miss Asked the dentist: why does black plaque appear on teeth
Factors contributing to the appearance of dental plaque
At the beginning, plaque appears, and no one is immune from it – this is a natural process. But the appearance of tartar is already a consequence of several reasons.
Poor hygiene
If you carry out the cleaning process incorrectly, do not perform the cleaning process well enough, ignore additional devices that allow you to treat hard-to-reach places, then you provoke the hardening of plaque and the appearance of stone.
Functional defects
This is everything related to the dental system and its structure. For example, an incorrect bite can cause a stone to appear. It often occurs in the area of crowded teeth, which usually forms in the lower jaw, in the area of the salivary gland ducts, when the front teeth are very dense and crumpled.
Poor orthopedic treatment
Another risk factor is incorrectly placed fillings or other irregularities in therapy. We are talking about excessively loose elements or, conversely, putting too much pressure on soft tissues, on the gums, causing additional injury. They create a kind of “shelf” in which tartar can form.
These are the main points at which the active development of hard dental deposits occurs.
Who is prone to the formation of tartar
People with dry mouth due to age and medications.
- Those who cannot maintain normal oral hygiene.
- Those who do not brush well teeth.
- Smokers.
- Those undergoing radiation therapy in the head and neck area.
- Those who consume a lot of sweet and starchy foods and drinks.
Why tartar can be dangerous
The most important thing is why you should immediately get rid of hardened deposits on your teeth – they are more traumatic and harmful than soft plaque. The latter can lead to some inflammation around the tooth or implant. But it’s not difficult to avoid this – just carefully but thoroughly clean your teeth twice a day. Then there will be no negative consequences for health.
Accumulated tartar can cause gum inflammation and bone loss around the teeth. These gum diseases are often painless, and a person may not notice this tissue damage until the teeth begin to loosen. If the extent of bone loss is detected early enough, teeth can be saved. However, lost bone tissue does not grow back. If the damage is not noticed, it can lead to the loss of one or more teeth.
Hard deposits such as tartar or plaque also have the effect of accumulating microorganisms inside. That is, it is a kind of “ball of snakes” that is constantly in our mouth.
But the most unpleasant thing is that it is harmful not only to the oral cavity, but can also infect the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, microorganisms during the process of reproduction can enter the gastrointestinal tract; in addition, there are often cases when a local area of the gastrointestinal tract is severely affected by bacterial endotoxins. Moreover, hardened deposits can cause diseases, for example, peri-implantitis or periodontitis.
Once again, let’s briefly summarize why tartar is dangerous:
- Bad breath.
- Loose teeth.
- Caries.
- Damage to the jawbone.
- Bleeding gums
- Gum recession.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
Ways to combat dental plaque
First of all, tartar or plaque must be dealt with through good personal hygiene. If a person takes good care of his oral cavity at home, he may develop soft plaque, but not hard dental plaque.
But personal hygiene alone is not enough, since very often gastroenterological diseases can cause such a problem. Therefore, it is best to contact not only a dentist, but also a gastroenterologist or a preventive medicine doctor who will help correct the situation. If you approach the issue comprehensively, rather than locally, then you have a better chance of solving it efficiently and without repetition. And, of course, during and after therapy, it is important not to forget about high-quality and regular home oral hygiene.
Don’t miss
- Don’t miss How to remove tartar at home: 3 simple ones method (you can safely smile)
What is the best way to remove it: at home or at the dentist
It is better to remove the stone at the dentist. Home remedies can harm your teeth and gums if used incorrectly. Therefore, you need to consult your dentist.
How often should you remove tartar and plaque?
Experts recommend cleaning every 6 months in cases where there is gum disease or risk of gum disease (smoking, diabetes, etc.). If you are prone to plaque and tartar formation, you may want to have more frequent dental checkups and cleanings.