Let’s be honest, we all have rubbed our tongues against our teeth at some point in life. Nothing can beat the feeling when the teeth are squeaky clean and the tongue slips on smoothly. But if the teeth feel fuzzy and coarse, it can make us self-conscious and lower our confidence.
The rough texture on teeth is known as plaque, which is a deposit of bacteria and can cause calcium deposits or tartar if not removed at the right time. It’s extremely common among a majority of people, mainly those with dry mouths, the elderly, as well as children. Many studies indicate that seven out of every ten people have some degree of tartar on their teeth.
At TruCare Dentistry, we know how dangerous tartar can be if you allow it to build up over time. We believe prevention is better than cure and we know the ways to avoid tartar by taking proper dental care, which includes regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups. As a matter of fact, we have removed a majority of calcium deposits during routine dental checkups and cleaning.
In this blog post, we have listed everything about tartar—starting from the signs and dental issues they can create to the tips to prevent and remove them. Read on to know how to keep tartar at bay as well as how to remove them effectively.
Signs of tartar
Unlike plaque, which is mostly clear and doesn’t ring any alarm bells, tartar appears with some tell-tale signs. Here are some of those.
- A brownish, yellowish, or dark layer on teeth
- The feel of an uneven and coarse texture while rubbing tongue on teeth
- Halitosis (chronic bad breath)
- Swollen, bleeding, and tender gums after brushing or flossing
Dental issues caused by tartar
Tartars are more dangerous than they look. They can cause many serious dental problems such as:
Gum diseases and infections: If the calcium deposits stick on the gum line for a long time then they can cause various types of gum diseases and gum infections such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gum recession: When gum diseases and infections get worse, they cause the gum line to recede rapidly.
Cavities: The bacteria released from tartar deposits corrode teeth enamel and cause dental caries and decay.
Dental abscesses and infections: Apart from caries, excessive calcium deposits can cause serious dental abscesses and infections.
Tooth loss: The excessive deposits of calcium exacerbate cavities and infections, which cause tooth loss.
How to prevent tartar formation?
You can prevent plaque buildup and the formation of tartar by taking regular and proper care of your teeth. Here are some effective ways you can eliminate plaque so that they never develop into tartar or calcium deposits.
Effective brushing: Brushing at least two times a day for two to three minutes can prevent the formation of plaque. Soft-bristled toothbrushes are extremely effective for plaque removal. Some brushing techniques such as brushing in small circular movements can remove plaque on tooth surfaces. Using high-fluoride toothpaste can be extremely effective.
Flossing: Daily flossing removes plaque between teeth as well as places that are inaccessible by a toothbrush. Flossing is best done before going to bed as it reduces overnight plaque buildup to a great extent.
Water flossing: Some people may find using string floss difficult and extremely cumbersome. For them, water flossing is the right alternative as it can help them remove bacteria and plaque around the gum line.
Regular dental checkups: Even if you take the best care of your teeth, regular dental checkups are extremely crucial. That’s because regular brushing and flossing cannot prevent the formation of calcium deposits in difficult-to-reach areas. For a young and healthy individual, the right frequency is visiting a near dentist two times a year.
Proper diet: A diet that’s rich in calcium and micronutrients is extremely beneficial for teeth. On the other hand, acidic and sugary foods accelerate bacteria production, which in turn hasten calcium deposits.
How to remove tartar?
Brushing twice a day and flossing once a night can remove a huge amount of plaque. But if the deposit is huge, it will require the expertise and skills of a professional dentist. Don’t delay visiting a professional dentist or a dental hygienist and never try removing tartar at home. The process is known as professional dental cleaning, in which the dental professional cleans the teeth using various specialized cleaning tools and procedures to loosen and remove calcium deposits. Here are some of those.
Scaling: In this, the dentist removes plaque, tartar, and calcium deposits from your teeth by using specialized tools. This involves the use of ultrasonic scrapers, which are equipment that shoots water jet and vibrate at a higher frequency to eliminate tartar.
Polishing: As the name suggests, this involves smoothening the rough areas of the teeth. After cleaning and scaling your teeth, the dentist polishes the enamel’s rough areas and gives a deep clean so that the teeth surfaces are too smooth to allow bacteria to build up for a certain time.
Scaling and root planning: It’s a complete dental procedure performed for the complete removal of plaque and tartar from the teeth surface. This is a more invasive work the dentist does to remove the calcium deposits below the gum line and around the bone.
Overall, it can be said
The accumulation of tartar on teeth is the result of plaque buildup over a long period. Even though regular brushing and flossing can remove plaque on the dental surface, routine checkups and professional cleaning are extremely effective in preventing tartar formation. At TruCare Dentistry, we have a long track record of effectively removing tartar from our patients’ teeth. If you are looking to remove tartar buildup in Roswell, GA, then call us to book an appointment.