Do you feel your teeth are looking a little more yellow? Possibly noticed discoloration in between your teeth along the gum line? Or observed when you run your tongue over your teeth, they don’t feel smooth and clean?
This is likely tartar build-up. Tartar builds up on teeth and has a number of different nicknames: plaque, tartar, or calculus.
It is typically easily spotted by its pale yellow color, but it can also be colorless at times. This build-up can form several layers.
The first layer is known as the maturation phase and occurs very quickly – within 24 hours after it forms, this maturation phase becomes so hard that teeth cleaners cannot remove it with a toothbrush.
The second layer is the mineralization phase, where the tartar becomes even harder and more difficult to remove.
Even those with good oral hygiene can experience tartar build-up. That is exactly why it’s important to have regular cleanings. Because eventually, if left untreated, this tartar will cause gum disease, cavities, and tooth loss.
This article will cover what tartar is, what complications it can cause, and the best ways to minimize it!
Key Takeaways
- Tartar, also known as dental calculus, is a hardened form of dental plaque that contributes to gum disease and tooth decay if not removed by dental professionals.
- Good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash, paired with a healthy diet low in sugars and starches, are key to preventing plaque and tartar buildup.
- Regular dental cleanings are crucial for removing tartar buildup and should be scheduled every six months to prevent serious dental issues; watch for signs like bleeding gums or persistent bad breath which indicate the need for a dental visit.
Tartar Is Hardened Plaque
Plaque is the sticky substance that gets on and between your teeth from eating and drinking. Some foods and beverages are worse at creating plaque, such as sugar and carbohydrates like bread. On the other hand, some hard cheeses and apples can remove plaque as you eat.
If you don’t brush your teeth properly or don’t brush your teeth at all, sticky plaque will stay on your teeth before turning into tartar. Also, if you have crooked, over-crowded, or broken teeth, it can be hard to remove the daily build-up of plaque.
The remaining plaque turns into tartar really fast– within about 24 to 72 hours!! Just like plaque, tartar can attract more bacteria, which can further worsen the problem. You can often spot tartar yourself by looking for yellowish spots near the gum line.
What’s worse, tartar left untreated can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. But don’t worry Understanding tartar is the first step in winning the battle against it.
Tartar Can Lead to Many Complications
Tartar build-up leads to your smile not looking as white and bright, but it also has many complications.
First, tartar makes it harder to clean your teeth. You can’t brush away the tartar, so you can’t brush the tooth tissue under the tartar. If there is a lot of tartar build-up between your teeth, flossing may also prove problematic. If you can’t clean your mouth properly, the problem will only continue to worsen. This could lead to cavities.
But tartar doesn’t just cause cavities. It can also irritate your gums and cause various types of gum disease. If you only develop gingivitis, you and you can work together to treat and reverse the problem quickly. However, if your teeth have sustained periodontitis-level damage, the effects are irreversible without major procedures like gum grafts.
How long before tartar damages teeth?
As mentioned earlier, plaque can harden and become tartar very quickly. It also doesn’t take long for it to build up and cause damage.
Tartar build-up can start to damage teeth within only a few months. The earlier tartar is removed, the better.
If you develop periodontitis because of your tartar, gaps can form between the tooth and gums. Bacteria love this because it gives them a new access point to your teeth: the root, which is unprotected by enamel. The gums are supposed to protect the tooth’s root; if they aren’t doing their job, severe decay and infection may soon follow.
Recognizing Tartar on Your Teeth
How can you know whether tartar has formed on your teeth? Simply, tartar buildup can be identified on tooth surfaces as a yellow or brown stain.
These stains can range from yellow to black, since they can absorb colors from various foods and drinks. Tartar found above the gum line is usually yellow or light brown, while tartar located below the gum line often appears darker.
So the next time you’re brushing your teeth, take a moment to check for these tell-tale signs of tartar buildup.
Risk Factors for Tartar Development
Having identified what tartar looks like, it’s time to discuss the common factors that contribute to its development. Factors that increase the risk of tartar buildup risk may be:
- Braces
- Dry mouth
- Crowded teeth
- Older age
Diet plays a significant role too. Foods high in sugar, such as:
- cakes
- candies
- dried fruits
- fizzy drinks
- alcohol
- fruit juices
- high carb sports drinks
can cause an increase in plaque bacteria, which is a precursor to tartar.
And let’s not forget. Smoking and tobacco products are linked to a higher risk of tartar formation and the development of gum disease.
The Impact of Tartar: Threats to Dental Health
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/teeth-sugar-cubes-on-blue-background-1718819152
We’ve established that tartar is detrimental to dental health. But how bad can it really get? Well, quite bad, actually. Tartar is known to lead to receding gums and plays a significant role in the development of progressive gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
And, if you spot black tartar on the root surfaces of your teeth, that’s a marker of active periodontal disease and a warning sign of serious dental health concerns.
Unfortunately, once plaque calcifies and becomes tartar, you can’t remove it with a toothbrush. So, even with good oral hygiene practices, tartar buildup can contribute to tooth decay and compromise the structural integrity of your teeth.
How to Prevent Tartar Build-Up
Thankfully, it’s easy to prevent excess tartar build-up from forming. All you have to do is practice good dental hygiene. Yes, that means brushing your teeth, flossing daily, and using mouthwash.
Flossing is especially important because even the best toothbrushes and brushing techniques can’t reach the tiny spaces between your teeth and gum line like floss can. And if you don’t floss daily, that gives the plaque even more time to form and causes you more harm.
Mouthwash also helps prevent tartar because it kills off most bacteria that feed off of sugary foods. Without those bacteria, there’s nothing to build tartar. Another added bonus is without those pesky bacteria, your teeth won’t be hurt by the lactic acid they create.
Finally, you should visit your dentist every six months for a thorough cleaning. Not only will your hygienist and dentist remove that tough-to-reach plaque and tartar, but they’ll also give you tips for taking better care of your teeth. As a result, your teeth stay healthier longer, and you won’t have to have expensive operations later on.
So, if you’re serious about maintaining your oral health, make sure to visit the dentist regularly and book your next appointment with Snodgrass-King in Middle Tennessee!
DO NOT Smoke or Chew Tobacco
You can quickly experience a build-up of plaque and tartar on your teeth if you smoke or chew tobacco because of nicotine, tar and other chemicals.
Chemicals in tobacco products lessen saliva in the mouth, making it easier for oral bacteria to stick to teeth and gums. Even smokeless tobacco products can irritate your gum tissue, causing your gums to loosen around the teeth, making it easier for bacteria to settle in and develop decay.
Furthermore, smokers are three to six times more likely to develop gum and periodontal disease. If you smoke or use tobacco, you should quit.
DO NOT Over Consume Foods High In Sugar and Carbs
Foods like sticky sweet treats, snacks that can get stuck in your teeth, fizzy drinks, alcohol, fruit juices, and high carbohydrate sports drinks contribute to plaque and tartar.
We aren’t saying you should avoid carbs, and it’s perfectly fine to indulge in sweets from time to time; just don’t over do it!
Eating a healthy balanced diet and limiting the consumption of sugars and starches can go a long way toward minimizing tartar build-up.
DO Drink Plenty of Water
A dry mouth due to not drinking enough water or taking certain medications can increase your risk of excess tartar build-up.
In general, you should aim to drink between half an ounce and an ounce of water for each pound you weigh daily. You should drink more if you exercise, live in a dry climate, or take medications that cause dry mouth.
DO Brush and Floss Daily
Daily brushing and flossing is your best defense at improving tartar. Brushing and flossing help keep your teeth clean from plaque, which attracts bacteria. Too much bad bacteria can lead to tooth decay.
However, plaque may not be your biggest concern if you have been neglecting your teeth. You should be more worried about tartar build-up. If you haven’t kept your smile as clean as you should, check out what you should know about tartar and your teeth.
We advise brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes at a time and flossing daily.
DO Have Professional Cleanings
Since you can’t safely remove plaque and tartar build-up on your own (which we will discuss in the next section), it is vital that you visit your dentist for regular dental cleanings.
You are advised to see us every 6 months for routine checkups and cleanings, where a dental hygienist will use special tools to safely remove plaque and tartar build-up.
How to Remove Tartar
Unfortunately, once plaque has hardened into tartar, it can only be removed by a dental professional.
Professionals might use a deep-cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing to eradicate tartar from above and below the gum line and from root surfaces. And for stubborn tartar deposits, dental practitioners may use laser technology, which is actually gentler on the teeth and gums than traditional methods.
Attempting to remove tartar at home can lead to tooth and gum damage from poking and prodding at the tartar with sharp objects. Please, please, please see a dentist or hygienist to remove tartar.
Why Tartar Build-Up Should Only Be Removed By a Professional
Brushing and flossing daily is really important because plaque quickly becomes tartar. Once it’s tartar, you can’t remove it on your own, or at least, you shouldn’t.
Tartar build-up needs to be scraped off, and trying to do this at home can cause you to scratch the enamel and severely damage your teeth.
For this reason, you must visit your dentist’s office to remove tartar. The dental assistant will safely scale away the tartar with a sharp tool. The teeth are also smoothed because a rough surface makes it easier for plaque and bacteria to cling.
Depending on how much tartar you have, your dentist may recommend using an electric toothbrush, buying special toothpaste with fluoride and avoiding certain foods.
If you smoke, your dentist will also suggest you stop smoking as it can increase the risk of tartar and gum disease.
Plaque is easy to remove, but if you miss some or forget to brush and floss for a while, it can quickly harden into tartar, which can’t be removed at home. Only a good dental cleaning can safely eliminate tartar without damaging teeth.
Do Not Scrape Plaque Off Teeth Yourself!
If you try to scrape or scratch plaque off your teeth at home, you can severely damage the enamel on your teeth. This includes scraping tartar off with your finger; don’t ever do that!
You should also avoid attempting to remove plaque from your teeth using something hard, like tweezers. This is particularly dangerous for your enamel.
In attempting to remove plaque on your own, you may also damage your gums or injure your cheeks and tongue. These wounds may become infected, leading to abscesses or other dental problems.
A dentist can remove plaque and tartar build-up for you safely using an ultrasonic instrument known as a scaler. Also, never buy one of these dental tools online and attempt to try it at home. There are good reasons why dentists and hygienists are properly trained to use these tools. Never try to remove plaque at home.
Tartar Breaking Off The Back of Teeth
If tartar is not removed, it will become calcified and hard. Tartar breaking off the back of teeth can leave a sharp edge that can damage your tongue and cheek tissue. It is also possible for this hard layer to break off or fall off and enter the bloodstream.
When this happens, blood vessels can narrow because of these calcium deposits. Tartar doesn’t just have bad effects on your teeth; it can create many other health issues.
When to Ask Your Dentist About Tartar Concerns
How can you recognize when a visit to your dentist for potential tartar issues is necessary? If you notice bleeding gums while brushing or flossing, it might be a sign of tartar buildup leading to gum disease. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth can also be indicators of tartar and the potential for periodontal issues.
And if you spot a visible gray gradient along your gum line, that’s often a clear sign of tartar that has formed below the gum line. When experiencing sensitivity or pain around your teeth and gums, it could be due to tartar-caused infections, necessitating a dental visit.
To Sum Up Plaque Build-Up
In conclusion, tartar is stubborn, but with the right knowledge and strategies, you can keep it in check. Remember to maintain good oral hygiene, limit sugary and starchy foods, and schedule regular dental cleanings. And if you notice any signs of tartar buildup, don’t hesitate to consult your dentist. After all, a beautiful smile is worth fighting for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tartar?
Tartar, also known as dental calculus, is a hardened form of dental plaque that forms when plaque is not properly removed. It can only be removed by a dental professional.
How does tartar form?
Tartar forms when dental plaque calcifies on teeth, leading to a hard deposit that can only be removed by a dentist.
How can I prevent tartar buildup?
To prevent tartar buildup, brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, use a mouth rinse, and reduce intake of sugary and starchy foods. These simple steps can help maintain good oral health.
How can tartar be removed?
You need to visit a dental professional for tartar removal, as they use methods such as scaling and root planing or laser technology for effective removal.
When should I see a dentist about tartar concerns?
If you notice signs of tartar buildup such as bleeding gums, bad breath, or discoloration along the gum line, it’s time to schedule a visit to the dentist.
Visit Snodgrass-King Dentistry for Adult and Pediatric Teeth Cleaning
For more information about tartar and cleanings, call us at Snodgrass-King. We perform routine cleanings that can keep your teeth free from tartar. If you have tartar build-up, don’t wait! Schedule an appointment with us today!
