Causes and prevention of tartar

Brown plaque is not only an aesthetically unpleasant phenomenon, but also dangerous to the health of teeth and gums. There are several factors that provoke its formation. What is tartar, how to get rid of it and prevent its reappearance?

Causes of tartar

Education on teeth The so-called stone is preceded by the appearance of plaque, which is a completely harmless phenomenon if hygiene procedures are performed correctly and the health of the oral cavity is monitored. Food particles in the gaps and cracks of the tooth, on which microorganisms settle, form a thin film; pathogenic bacteria, in turn, secrete acids that cause damage to the enamel and the formation of caries. If plaque is not removed in time, it will begin to harden, acquire a characteristic brown color, and sometimes an unpleasant odor.

There are two types of tartar:

• Subgingival calculus is calcareous deposits in the gum pockets and tissues surrounding the tooth. Usually it is not visible to a person; the formation can only be removed in a dentist’s office.
• Supragingival calculus is a dark area on the enamel that can be observed when examining the oral cavity.

There is a small percentage of people who are not familiar with tartar, but the majority still encounter this unpleasant phenomenon. The main area where lime deposits are located is the central teeth of the lower jaw, as well as the teeth on the upper jaw. The formations are not always visible to the naked eye, but if you feel discomfort, it’s time to see a dentist. Experts note that the formation of tartar is a rather long process, sometimes up to six months, and then over the course of several months the problem worsens. Therefore, a preventive examination every 6 months will help keep your mouth clean.

As we have already found out, the main reason for the mineralization of dental plaque is untimely cleansing of teeth from food debris, especially carbohydrates, flour and sweet foods, carbonated water with dyes, etc. Moreover, attention should be paid to the farthest areas, because many brush while running, do not rinse their mouths after every meal, and the active spread of microorganisms occurs within a couple of hours after lunch or dinner.

What other factors influence the spread of plaque and the appearance of tartar:

• smoking;
• chewing on one side only;
• incorrect choice of toothpaste and brush;
• frequent consumption of soft foods, lack of coarse fibrous food, which provides natural cleansing;
• abuse of foods and drinks with dyes, including alcohol (wine, coffee, gas water, etc.);
• increased salivation;
• taking a number of medications;
• some diseases of internal organs.

Harm and consequences of tartar

At first glance, harmless plaque cannot cause serious harm, but later it turns into tartar, which has negative consequences for tooth enamel, gums, and the oral cavity as a whole.

If not detected in time, the disease leads to the development of gingivitis - gum disease, accompanied by inflammation, redness, swelling and bleeding, up to periodontal disease and tooth loss. Gingivitis develops due to disruption of normal circulation in the gum tissue.

The mucous membrane of the oral cavity suffers no less - pathogenic microflora acts destructively and leads to stomatitis and erosion.

What can we say about tooth enamel, which suffers the most; tartar affects a previously healthy tooth, and acids and bacteria contribute to caries formation.

Tartar treatment

Warning signs indicating the presence of tartar:

• bleeding from gums when brushing teeth;
• increased sensitivity, pain when eating hot or cold food;
• due to the proliferation of pathogenic microflora, an unpleasant putrid odor often appears;
• the problem of tartar is always accompanied by the formation of caries;
• looseness and loss of teeth, periodontal disease.

Modern dentistry offers several options for treating tartar. The mechanical method of removing deposits is more common, but the downside is that it can damage tooth enamel. A more expensive, but effective and painless hardware method, in particular ultrasound devices.

Whichever method you prefer, therapy usually consists of three main stages:

• directly removing hardened plaque;
• grinding of tooth enamel;
• polishing using various preparations (gel, varnish).

Prevention of tartar

Preventive measures to prevent the formation of lime deposits include a set of traditional measures to cleanse enamel, gums and oral hygiene; it is thanks to a toothbrush and rinses that the bulk of plaque and food debris are removed.

• It is important to choose the right cleaning tools, in particular a toothbrush. Buy fairly stiff bristles; the bristles should be the same length for an even impact on the teeth and gums. Give preference to a brush with artificial hairs, as natural bristles create additional conditions for the development of bacteria.
• Pay attention to the farthest areas, sometimes you need to use dental floss, do not neglect this rule.
• Choose a professional toothpaste containing fluoride to strengthen enamel.
• Eating solid vegetables and fruits can be a natural cleanse.
• Visit your dentist regularly.