Causes and prevention of tartar

Brown plaque is not only aesthetically unpleasant, but also dangerous for 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 you properly perform hygiene procedures and monitor the health of the oral cavity. 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 the 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 calculus:

• Subgingival calculus is a calcification in the pockets of the gum and in the tissues surrounding the tooth. Usually, a person cannot see it; it is possible to remove formations only in a dentist's office.
• Supragingival calculus are dark areas 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 most still face this unpleasant phenomenon. The main zone of location of lime deposits is the central teeth of the lower jaw, as well as painters 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 it takes up to six months, and then within a few months the problem is aggravated. Therefore, a routine check-up every 6 months will help keep your mouth clean.

As we have already found out, the main reason for the mineralization of plaque is untimely cleaning of teeth from food debris, especially carbohydrates, flour and sweet foods, carbonated water with dyes, etc. Moreover, attention should be paid to the most distant areas, because many wield a brush on the run, do not rinse their mouth after each meal, and the active spread of microorganisms occurs within a couple of hours after lunch or dinner.

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

• smoking;
• chewing on one side only;
• the wrong choice of toothpaste and brush;
• frequent consumption of soft foods, lack of coarse fibrous, 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 the 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 in general.

An undetected disease leads to the development of gingivitis, a gum disease accompanied by inflammation, redness, edema and bleeding, up to periodontal disease and tooth loss. Gingivitis develops as a result of a violation of normal circulation in the gum tissue.

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

What to say about the 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:

• blood from the gums when brushing your teeth;
• hypersensitivity, pain when eating hot or cold food;
• due to the multiplication of pathogenic microflora, an unpleasant putrid smell often appears;
• the problem of dental calculus is always accompanied by the formation of caries;
• unsteadiness and loss of teeth, periodontal disease.

Modern dentistry offers several options for the treatment of calculus. The mechanical method of removing deposits is more familiar, but the disadvantage is that it can damage the tooth enamel. More expensive, but effective and painless hardware method, in particular with ultrasound devices.

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

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

Prevention of tartar

Preventive measures to prevent the formation of lime deposits include a set of traditional measures for cleaning enamel, gums and oral hygiene, thanks to a toothbrush and rinses, most of the plaque and food debris are removed.

• It is important to choose the right cleaning tools, in particular your toothbrush. Get bristles that are stiff enough, the bristles should be the same length to evenly affect the teeth and gums. Choose a brush with artificial hair, as natural bristles create additional conditions for the growth of bacteria.
• Pay attention to the farthest areas, sometimes you need to use dental floss, do not neglect this rule.
• Choose a professional paste that contains fluoride to strengthen the enamel.
• Eating solid vegetables and fruits can be a natural cleanse.
• See your dentist regularly.