The accumulation of dental tartar in our mouth can cause different oral conditions that can become serious. Taking care of our dental health is essential.
In this post we are going to talk about what dental tartar is, how it forms, the causes and symptoms, how to prevent it and how to treat it.
What is dental tartar?
Dental tartar, also known as dental calculus or dental calculus, is the calcification of bacterial plaque on our gums and teeth.
The remains of food together with the bacteria we have in our mouth, form the bacterial or dental plaque. If this is not removed, when mixed with the minerals present in our saliva, it will react forming a hard crust. The square calcifies and thus tartar is formed.
Mineral plaque is whitish at first, but over time it takes on a yellowish or brownish color, as it is able to absorb stains quite easily.
Dental tartar causes serious dental health problems, as well as unsightly problems for the smile, as it can be easily seen.
How does tartar form?
As we have already mentioned, tartar is produced by a cacification of dental plaque. This is a transparent film of a very thin thickness on which the bacteria we have in our mouth are deposited.
To eliminate dental plaque, it is very important to have proper dental hygiene habits, such as brushing 3 times a day and flossing. If bacterial plaque is not removed from our teeth and gums, it ends up calcifying and producing dental tartar.
This is a harder and more costly substance to remove than plaque. Likewise, the formation of tartar favors the adhesion of plaque and accelerates the accumulation of plaque in our mouth.
Tartar production, in addition to inadequate oral hygiene, can be caused by dental misalignment and crowding. This favors the appearance of tartar due to the difficulty of accessing certain areas during brushing.
If your teeth are not properly aligned, it is important that you are more careful with your dental hygiene, making sure that you can access the most complicated areas on a regular basis. Orthodontic treatment is also highly recommended.
Types of dental calculus
We can distinguish two types of tartar depending on the area where it has accumulated:
– Supragingival tartar: Its presence is limited to the surface of the gums and teeth of the oral cavity.
– Subgingival calculus: When it accumulates below the gum line, forming periodontal pockets. It has a higher risk to dental health and, unlike the previous one, it is not so easy to perceive.
Dental tartar: causes and symptoms of dental tartar
Dental tartar can cause or aggravate dental health problems such as:
– Gingivitis: Promoting inflammation and irritation of the gums.
– Bad breath or halitosis.
– Caries: Produced by plaque bacteria that weaken tooth enamel.
– Gum disease: Due to its accumulation under the gums, it can cause serious diseases such as periodontitis.
– Digestive problems and other systemic diseases: Such as cardiovascular diseases.
How to avoid tartar?
If we want to avoid the formation of tartar on our teeth, we must have adequate daily oral hygiene habits.
– Brush thoroughly: Brush your teeth at least twice a day and for 2 minutes. Try to do it after every meal and use brushes that do not damage your gums.
– Use dental floss: Our colleague Estefania has already advised us on the use of dental floss and explained how to use it. With dental floss or the interproximal brush, we eliminate food debris that remains on our teeth and gums.
– Regular check-ups: Don’t forget to visit your dentist in Granada for regular dental hygiene treatments. Dental cleaning is recommended every 4 to 6 months for patients suffering from periodontal disease and every 8 to 10 months for others.
How to remove dental tartar?
If you have a problem with tartar on your teeth, it is necessary that you go to your dental clinic in Granada so that they can verify the condition and check where the tartar is located.
Subgingival calculus, which is located inside the gum, causes the development of diseases such as periodontitis. This problem is much more serious and can lead to tooth loss if not treated in time.
In this case, it will be necessary for your dentist to perform a dental curettage. It is a deeper dental cleaning technique, in which a root scaling is performed inside the gum.
In the event that the tartar has been produced supragingivally, on the surface of the teeth and gums, it can be removed by ultrasonic tooth cleaning. The treatment easily removes bacterial plaque and supragingival tartar, is practically painless and should be performed in a dental clinic.
The ideal way to prevent and remove tartar is to visit your dentist in Granada as often as your dentist tells you to, in this way you will ensure proper dental health and avoid more serious conditions.
Do you need a treatment to remove dental tartar?
In Cervantes Dental Clinic in Granada we care about your dental health, so we advise you properly to treat your specific case.
As we always say, each one of us is different, and so is our case. For this reason, personalized and attentive service is our daily routine.
If you need a treatment to remove dental tartar, just call or write us, we will be happy to assist you.
Smile is a universal language. Come to our dental clinic in Granada and we will advise you. First appointment free of charge!
