What You Should Know About Tartar

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes 23 seconds

What is tartar, and how does it form?

White and clean teeth are essential for a healthy and beautiful smile. However, if we do not take enough care of our oral and dental health, we can soon see that our teeth start to turn yellow and, in more advanced stages, tartar forms. So what can we do about this? First of all, let’s start with what tartar is.

After eating and drinking, a soft layer of bacteria forms on our teeth. This colorless and sticky layer is called plaque. Dental plaque can be removed with regular brushing and flossing. However, if this layer is not brushed for 1-3 days, it combines with the minerals in the saliva during this period and causes calcification. This calcified hard substance hardens over time, forming calculus. It is much more difficult to clean than plaque.

Tartar, or dental calculus, occurs when plaque accumulates on the tooth surface and hardens over time. It can also accumulate along and between the gum line, providing a suitable environment for bacteria to accumulate in the mouth. Tartar, which can be yellow or brown in appearance, does not look aesthetically pleasing and can be very harmful to oral and dental health.

How Does Tartar Affect Oral Health?

Dental tartar that casts a shadow over your smile is not just an aesthetic problem. If neglected, it can also create significant problems for your oral health. Once plaque is neglected and tartar formation is allowed, the tartar that forms can no longer be cleaned with a toothbrush. In addition, tartar facilitates the formation of more plaque. Thus, a continuous cycle of bacterial accumulation occurs in the mouth. New layers of tartar continue to form with new plaque accumulating on the tartar.

This tartar along the gum line starts to irritate the gums over time. Over time, tartar that accumulates along the gum line without being cleaned can lead to gingivitis, severe gum disease (periodontitis), cavities, and even tooth loss. In other words, in the long run, tartar is very harmful for both your teeth and gum health.

Can Tartar be Removed at Home?

We have already mentioned that dental plaque is the first layer of bacteria on the tooth surface, and if not cleaned, it solidifies and turns into tartar within a few days by combining with the minerals in the mouth. Therefore, it is not wrong to say that dental plaque is the first stage of the tartar formation process. It is this plaque part that can be intervened and cleaned at home with products such as toothbrushes and dental floss. Plaque can be cleaned and softened with interventions such as regular brushing, flossing, and mouthwash.

However, when plaque hardens and turns into tartar, it is possible to remove this hard layer with professional dental cleaning by dentists. Regular teeth cleaning can prevent the formation of more tartar through new plaque on the tartar. However, this care does not affect the removal of the tartar that has already formed.

Keep in mind that trying to remove tartar at home with inappropriate tools and products can damage tooth enamel or gums. The best thing to do to get rid of your tartar is to see a dentist for professional dental cleaning.

How to remove tartar?

Scaling involves gently scraping the tartar that has accumulated above and below the gum line from both the inner and outer surfaces using special tools. Usually, a single session is sufficient. However, people with heavy tartar accumulation may require more than one session of scaling.

In cases where tartar accumulation is very severe, tartar can extend below the gums. In such cases, a different cleaning procedure known as root planing may need to be followed.

In addition to scraping away tartar with instruments, it is also possible to break down tartar with the help of ultrasonic devices and sound vibrations. With these instruments, the process can be more comfortable and faster. For people who regularly clean their teeth, it is usually sufficient to have a professional cleaning every 6 months.

Is there any harm in having tartar removal?

It is normal to feel sensitivity in the teeth after dental cleaning. Because of this sensitivity, people may be concerned about whether the procedure they have had done damages their teeth. However, this concern is unfounded. Periodic scaling is a necessary procedure for protecting oral health. The sensitivity that occurs in the teeth after the procedure usually improves in a very short time.

What should be considered after scaling?

After a professional scaling, it will be useful to pay attention to the following issues to ensure proper healing and maintain your oral hygiene.

• Avoid hard, very hot, or very cold foods for a while.
• Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Floss every day.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash if recommended by your dentist.
• Stay hydrated and avoid consuming too many sugary snacks to avoid accelerating the formation of new plaque.
• Have a dental check-up every 6 months.

By following these aftercare tips, you can enjoy a healthier smile and minimize future tartar buildup.

People who do not pay attention to oral and dental hygiene, smoke, have dry mouth, or use certain special medications may develop tartar formation faster than other people. These people may need to pay more attention to their oral and dental health and have routine dental check-ups more frequently.