Tartar is what accumulates on your teeth when plaque is not removed. If plaque is left on your teeth for too long, it will harden into tartar and is much more difficult to remove. In fact, tartar can only be removed by a dental professional–you can't get rid of it with regular brushing and flossing.
Plaque is easily spotted by its pale yellow color that covers your teeth, but it can also be colorless at times. Additionally, once it hardens, tartar feels like a crusty blanket on teeth. Foods and drinks can easily stain tartar deposits, such as coffee which can stain your teeth brown.
Most plaque hardens within 48 hours of formation, and within several days it will become so hard that it is almost impossible to remove. This hard substance is tartar and the only way to remove it is to see your dentist for a professional scraping of your teeth.
The best way to remove the build-up of plaque and tartar on your teeth is by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Daily flossing and using an antiseptic mouthwash will help to keep bacteria at bay in hard-to-reach areas.
As mentioned earlier, tartar can only be removed by a professional. During the procedure, the dentist uses an ultrasonic device with a small nozzle to remove tartar from areas or spots that are hard to reach. The process of tartar removal may or may not be painful and is dependent on several factors.
Scaling the teeth at home can scratch the tooth enamel and cause sensitivity. DIY tartar scraping can damage the delicate gum tissue and may lead to gum recession. You can also injure your cheeks, tongue and mouth while using a scraper. Scraping off tartar at home can lead to gum infections.
In most cases, your gum tissue will not come back once you've lost it. It's gone for good. However, this doesn't mean you're completely out of luck. With the right periodontal treatment, you may be able to halt the progression of gum recession.
Tartar is what accumulates on your teeth when plaque is not removed. If plaque is left on your teeth for too long, it will harden into tartar and is much more difficult to remove. In fact, tartar can only be removed by a dental professional–you can't get rid of it with regular brushing and flossing.
The acetic acid in white vinegar has antibacterial properties and promotes demineralization of tooth enamel, making it effective in removing tartar and plaque. Add half a teaspoon of salt to half a cup of water and add two teaspoons of white vinegar to it. Stir it well and gargle the mixture twice a day.
Aggressive brushing and eating food in a specific way can result in tartar breaking off teeth. If you feel something chipping away from your teeth, schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Removing tartar can be painful if there is a large amount of tartar, if the gums are inflamed and / or the teeth are tender. Anesthesia is used whenever the patient feels the need for it. Anesthetic is applied to the gums using a topical anesthetic or a more effective local anesthetic.
Mouthwash freshens bad breath, can help reduce plaque and gingivitis, as well as fight tooth decay and prevent cavities. Mouthwash can really help improve your oral health. Mouthwashes containing fluoride can even help remineralize your teeth.
This sticky film forms on teeth when bacteria in the mouth mix with sugary or starchy foods. Tooth brushing and flossing get rid of plaque. If you don't remove plaque, it hardens into tartar.
Ways to Prevent Tartar Buildup
While you can't safely remove tartar at home, with an excellent oral hygiene routine, plaque removal can be done by following these steps: Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
In some cases, this can lead to a tooth infection. Tartar and bacteria can easily reach the tooth's pulp through the tooth's root, which has no enamel. In addition to the risk of tooth infection, you can also increase your risk of gum disease due to the fact that the tartar and bacteria irritate the gums.
If plaque is not removed on a regular basis, such as through brushing and flossing, it hardens within 24 to 72 hours and becomes tartar. The tartar buildup can make it difficult to brush and floss properly, leading to cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
Clean using Baking soda– A mixture of baking soda and salt is an effective home remedy for dental calculus removal. Brushing your teeth with baking soda and salt softens the calculus, making it easy to remove. The mixture should smoothly be scrubbed on the teeth by using a toothbrush.
The best way to remove already existing hardened tartar on teeth is by seeking dental care. Dentists or dental hygienists use a special technique called scaling to remove hardened tartar from the teeth and below the gumline. Regularly flossing is another viable method to remove tartar.
If the dentist or dental hygienist spots tartar on the surface of the teeth, they will remove it with an instrument called a scaler. A scaler is a device that has a hook on the end of it, and it is used to remove tartar above and below the gum line.
Bigger problems arise, however, if plaque stays on your teeth and hardens into tartar. Tartar, also called calculus, forms below and above the gum line. It is rough and porous and can lead to receding gums and gum disease. It must be removed with special tools in the dentist's office.
Once it adheres to teeth, tartar — a concrete-like substance — cannot be removed by brushing. It needs to be professionally scraped off by a dental professional.
Dental cleanings remove calculus, leaving space between teeth where calculus once was. If kept clean, spaces may fill in with gum tissue over time,” Girard explains. Even though these new gaps may seem alarming, you shouldn't worry.
You can have deep cleanings whenever it feels necessary. Still, make sure you have at least two dental cleanings per year. Deep cleanings are for patients with oral issues like gum disease and tooth decay every three months. Consult with your dentist to determine how often you should have deep cleanings.
Dental deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, involves special techniques to get rid of plaque, tartar, and bacteria below the gum line down to your tooth roots. This prevents gum disease from advancing and causing tooth loss.