Prevent Tartar Formation in 5 Steps

Tartar, commonly known as dental calculus, can be explained as the hardened form of dental plaque. Tartar, which can cause different oral health problems as well as gum diseases, can only be removed by a dentist. In other words, you cannot remove tartar by brushing your teeth or using dental floss. Therefore, it is extremely important to prevent tartar formation. In this article prepared by Evla experts, the frequently asked question "What causes dental stone formation?" and “What should be done to avoid tartar?” In addition to the answers to questions such as these, you can find many curious topics about dental stone.

What is Dental Stone and Why Does It Occur?

Dental tartar occurs when the accumulated plaque on the teeth hardens. Dental plaque can be described as a soft and sticky film that is found on almost all of our teeth. Bacteria that come together with saliva and food accumulate on the teeth. After eating or drinking something; These bacteria in the mouth begin to produce acid. Acid, which occurs especially when sugary foods are consumed, damages teeth and is one of the main causes of tooth decay. Plaque, which remains on the teeth for longer than it should, combines with the minerals in your saliva and eventually turns into tartar, also known as tartar.

Tartar covers the outer surface of the teeth and can also settle below the gum line. When tartar spreads below the gum line, periodontal disease can develop. At this point, it is important to understand the difference between dental stone and dental stone. Plaque can be defined as a cloudy feeling when you rub your tongue on your teeth or a transparent, viscous structure that can be felt when you rub your nails on your teeth. It is usually colorless, making it difficult to see. Tartar is hard and may have a yellow or brown appearance. Dental plaque can be removed from teeth by daily brushing and flossing. Once tartar forms, it can only be cleaned by a dentist. Frequently wondered "What causes dental stones?" The question can be answered this way.

How to Prevent Dental Stone Formation?

Dental tartar contains mineralized dead bacteria. Usually calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate. Tartar, which consists of minerals such as magnesium and magnesium phosphate, causes yellow, brown or black stains on your teeth, bad breath and gingivitis. It manifests itself as a hard, shell-like coating on the teeth. Also dental stone; It can also cause small pockets to form in the areas between your teeth and gums. Bacteria and food debris can get trapped there, causing bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth. So what can be done to prevent tartar formation?

The best method to avoid problems such as tooth decay or gum diseases; To stop the formation of tartar. Some of the methods that help prevent tartar formation can be listed as follows:

1- Brush Your Teeth 2 to 3 Times Every Day

To keep your teeth in top shape, brush them at least twice a day for two minutes. Brushing your teeth and tongue with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste helps remove food and bacteria from your mouth. This also reduces your risk of developing tooth decay. However, if you brush your teeth more than 2-3 times a day, for more than four minutes in total, you can erode the enamel layer that protects your teeth. When tooth enamel wears away, the dentin layer is exposed, and the dentin has small holes that extend to the nerve endings. This can cause sensitivity in your teeth and cause you to feel almost every pain. Brush your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride. Fluoride covering the tooth surface acts as a protective shield, preventing bacteria in the mouth from forming plaque.

2- Clean between your teeth with dental floss once a day

Use dental floss to clean the interdental areas. Tartar-forming bacteria often lurk in the area between the teeth, and flossing helps remove them. Flossing also loosens any particles you missed while brushing. Clean between your teeth to remove plaque and help prevent cavities or gum disease, especially in areas where a toothbrush can't reach. Learn how to properly floss your teeth without damaging your gums. Flossing also removes plaque and thus prevents tartar formation. Although plaque is easy to remove by brushing, you need a dentist to remove tartar.

3- Use an Alcohol-Free, Antibacterial Mouthwash Twice a Day

Products known as mouthwash or mouthwash are one of the good ways to maintain oral hygiene. It also helps eliminate oral bacteria that cause plaque and tartar formation. Since there is a danger of swallowing mouthwash for children under 6 years of age, children in this age group should not use mouthwash unless the doctor indicates otherwise.

4- Be Careful What You Eat

Every time you eat, you feed the bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria in your mouth multiply with sugary and starchy foods, and as a result, harmful acids are released. Try to eat healthy and limit the amount of sugary foods you eat. This situation, which also applies to snacks, is among the effective methods of preventing tartar formation. But you don't need to completely give up desserts or snacks between meals to prevent tartar formation. Just be mindful of how often you indulge and drink plenty of water during and after meals.

5- Stay away from tobacco products

Research shows that people who smoke or chew tobacco have a much higher risk of developing tartar. Therefore, do not use tobacco products. Additionally, smoking and chewing tobacco are unhealthy for your teeth. It can cause the enamel, the outermost layer of the tooth, to stain, making teeth more susceptible to infections and gums becoming inflamed more easily.

How Should Dental Care Be Done to Avoid Tartar Formation?

The plaque that causes tartar formation contains millions of bacteria, ranging in number from 200 to 300. The main culprit of poor dental health is the Streptococcus mutans type of bacteria, which converts sugar and other carbohydrates into acid. If dental plaque is not removed, it hardens and turns into tartar. Therefore, brush your teeth at least twice a day; Floss and see your dentist for regular cleanings. There are some important points to consider when doing dental care at home to prevent tartar formation.

It is very important that you follow an effective dental care routine to prevent plaque formation and tartar formation. Some of the steps to be taken to have healthy teeth and gums can be listed as follows:

• Choose the Right Toothbrush: It is important to choose a soft-bristled toothbrush to effectively clean plaque and avoid damaging the gums. The bristles of the toothbrush should have rounded tips. This prevents damage to tooth enamel and gums during brushing.
• Use Tartar Control Toothpaste: To prevent tartar formation, choose a product with the phrase "effective against tartar" on the toothpaste label. These types of toothpastes contain gentle abrasives that help remove plaque from the surface of the teeth.
• Apply Correct Brushing Techniques: Clean your teeth under the gums by brushing them at a 45-degree angle with short strokes. The bristles of the toothbrush should be held so that they penetrate under the gums. Brushing your teeth with short, gentle and circular movements; Effectively removes plaque and food residue.
• Clean All Your Teeth: Take the time to brush each tooth thoroughly. It is important to clean the inside, outside and upper surface of your teeth. Your total brushing time should be approximately 2 minutes.
• Get Regular Teeth Cleaning: Visit the dental clinic regularly to prevent tartar build-up and get your teeth cleaned regularly. Your dentist will give you an appropriate recommendation on how many times a year teeth cleaning should be done.
• Consult a Dentist in Doubtful Cases: If you notice problems such as pain or sensitivity in your teeth, contact your dentist immediately. You can prevent potential dental problems by making an appointment for a dental examination and treatment.
• Get an Ultrasonic Cleaning: During a general dental check-up by your dentist, if you are told that plaque and tartar accumulation is significant, you can have an ultrasonic cleaning done. With this method, which is applied using vibration and water, large pieces of tartar are cleaned.

What Happens If Dental Stone Is Not Cleaned?

Tartar feels like a rough substance that cannot be removed by brushing. Tartars below the gum line can cause swelling that can lead to bleeding. In this area, tartar may be brown or black in color. The accumulation above the gum line is yellow or flesh colored and will grow larger if not removed.

When tartar builds up on the teeth and along the gum line, different oral health problems can develop. Tartar provides a porous area on your teeth for plaque to adhere to. This begins a cycle of plaque adhering to the dental plaque, leading to the formation of more tartar. It is important not to allow this plaque - tartar cycle to occur, as plaque can lead to conditions such as gum disease and cavities. When tartar builds up around the gum line, it can cause gingivitis and bleeding. This is gingivitis, which is the early stage of gum disease. Tartar can also cause cosmetic problems. Since dental stone has an absorbent structure, it can quickly penetrate stains. As a result, drinking pigmented beverages such as tea or coffee can also cause your teeth to have a yellowish appearance.

How to Clean Dental Stone at Home?

Although you may be wondering how to remove tartar from your teeth without the need for a dentist, the clean and correct method is to get help from a dentist. When plaque turns into tartar, a toothbrush cannot clean it. Home tartar removal products or some natural remedies such as strawberries, vinegar or sesame may be tempting for at-home tartar removal. Although these products and their ingredients can be easily found in any grocery store or pharmacy, we recommend that you talk to your dentist about removing tartar rather than trying home methods.

You can remove some tartar at home by using different methods, but this requires longer and more consistent effort. Removing tartar at home also increases the risk of damage to tooth enamel, which protects the outside of your teeth and cannot be repaired. Therefore, aim to prevent tartar buildup before it becomes a problem. Once plaque turns into tartar, it cannot be removed by brushing. For effective removal of tartar and immediate results, we recommend that you consult a dentist. Preventing tartar formation is possible with the right oral care products .