Dental tartar
What it is, causes of formation, prevention methods, and types of treatment
Often, the first thing you notice about someone you meet for the first time is their smile. Due to poor oral hygiene, a smile can lose its sparkle. Tartar is one of the oral issues that occur when brushing is not done properly, dietary habits are not ideal, or dental check-ups are not performed regularly.
What is dental tartar?
Tartar is a hard, calcified deposit that forms on the surface of teeth and gums. It forms when bacteria naturally present in the oral cavity mix with food debris to create a sticky film called dental plaque.
Approximately 25,000 bacteria are involved in the formation of dental plaque. In the initial hours after formation, dental plaque can be removed mechanically, but it then hardens, making the process more difficult.
If dental plaque is not removed through proper oral hygiene, such as daily brushing and flossing, it hardens and discolors, resulting in the formation of tartar. Typically, dental plaque turns into tartar after about 10 days. In short, tartar represents the mineralization of bacterial plaque.
Tartar is both an aesthetic and a medical issue. Yellow or brown in color, dental tartar makes home oral cleaning difficult. Because the surface of tartar is rough, removing bacterial plaque is harder with a toothbrush and floss. As a result, oral problems such as bad breath, dental cavities, and gum disease may arise.
Typically, tartar forms on the outer surface of the upper molars, the inner surface of the lower teeth, and between the teeth.
Types of dental tartar
Depending on its position relative to the gum line, there are two types of tartar: supragingival and subgingival.
Supragingival tartar
Supragingival tartar initially appears white-yellow and has a soft, gritty texture. Over time, its consistency and adherence increase, and its color may turn brown or black due to staining from food pigments. This is especially common in individuals who smoke, consume alcohol, tea, or coffee. The mineralization of supragingival tartar occurs due to saliva.
Subgingival tartar
Subgingival tartar is dark-colored, ranging from brown to black, and has a denser consistency. It is highly adherent and more difficult to remove compared to supragingival tartar. Subgingival tartar affects not only the gums but also the dentin, connective tissues, and bones. The mineralization of subgingival tartar occurs due to the presence of blood.
Causes of dental tartar formation
Tartar deposits can develop at any age, with causes being both genetic and related to poor oral hygiene practices and dietary habits.
First, an individual's dental structure can be a risk factor for tartar deposits. Dental crowding makes brushing more difficult, increasing the risk of dental tartar formation.
Low saliva levels in the oral cavity are also a risk factor for tartar formation. Foods and certain habits (such as smoking) can contribute to tartar development.
When saliva, food, and fluids combine in the oral cavity, they create an environment that allows bacteria to thrive and accumulate on the teeth and gums, particularly in the spaces between them.
Foods that contribute to the formation of dental plaque include those rich in carbohydrates or simple sugars, such as sucrose and starch, which are found in soft drinks and candies.
Consuming sugary foods (cakes, sweets, fruits) can lead to the proliferation of bacteria in the oral cavity, especially if combined with poor oral hygiene.
Unlike dental plaque, which is a colorless film made up of bacteria, tartar is a mineral buildup that is easily noticeable if it is above the gum line. The most common sign of tartar is the yellow or brown color of the teeth or gums. The only sure way to identify and remove tartar is through a dental examination by a dentist.
Oral problems caused by dental tartar
Dental plaque can cause numerous health problems, and tartar exacerbates these issues. Patients with tartar buildup are more likely to develop gum diseases, lose their teeth, or experience oral complications as they age.
Some of the oral problems that can occur if tartar is not removed in time include:
- Cavities. Acids produced by bacteria in dental plaque can lower the pH level and damage tooth enamel.
- Gingivitis. Accumulation of bacteria from dental plaque can cause gum inflammation.
- Bad breath (halitosis). The formation of bacterial plaque due to poor oral hygiene can also cause bad breath.
- Periodontitis. If not removed, tartar can affect the supporting tissues of the teeth. Periodontitis is characterized by damage to the periodontium (the bone and tissue structure that supports and anchors the teeth).
- Tooth loss. In severe cases, unremoved tartar can lead to tooth loss.
Ways to prevent dental tartar
When it comes to tartar, prevention is the best treatment. Paying close attention to oral health is the most important way to prevent dental tartar. In this regard, there are several measures you can take to maintain proper oral hygiene.
- Regular brushing twice a day (morning and evening) for at least two minutes, using a fluoride toothpaste. It is important to remove dental plaque during brushing, so choosing a toothbrush suitable for the user's age is crucial. For children, the toothbrush head should be between 15 and 22 mm, while for adults, it is recommended to be 25 mm. Additionally, using a toothpaste designed to combat tartar is recommended by specialists.
- Using dental floss. No matter how much attention you give to brushing and regardless of the technique used, dental floss is the only way to remove plaque between the teeth and prevent tartar formation in hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, mouthwash helps kill bacteria that cause bacterial plaque. Therefore, using an antiseptic mouthwash is recommended.
- Proper diet. Bacteria in the oral cavity "feed" on foods high in sugar and starch. Therefore, it is advisable to pay close attention to your diet and eliminate, as much as possible, sugary snacks and carbonated drinks.
- Avoiding bad habits. Smoking is one of the factors that contribute to the formation of dental tartar.
Once tartar has formed, it can only be removed through professional means. Therefore, do not miss regular prophylactic appointments every six months to remove bacterial plaque and tartar, thus preventing potential oral problems.
Treatment for dental tartar
Once tartar has formed, it can only be removed from the surface of the teeth using specialized techniques. Otherwise, tartar can promote the development of periodontal diseases. The technique for removing dental tartar is called scaling, a procedure that should be performed twice a year in a dental office.
Typically, scaling is a procedure that does not cause pain, but patients with gum sensitivity may experience some discomfort.
Ultrasonic scaling (air-flow) is the technique used in most dental offices. The electric device used to remove tartar has a fine tip, vibrates at high speeds, and emits a stream of water. As a result, the electric device and water jet clean both tartar and food debris left between the teeth.
The next step in the oral cavity cleaning and tartar removal process is brushing in the dentist's office. For this procedure, a rotating brush and fluoride toothpaste are used to clean each tooth surface individually.
At DENT ESTET clinics, you can receive the following treatments for removing bacterial plaque and tartar:
- EXCLUSIVE EMS Airflow ® Profylaxis Master - complete prophylaxis session; supragingival and subgingival perioflow, scaling with Piezon by EMS Airflow® Profylaxis Master; Swiss technology: GUIDED BIOFILM THERAPY (GBT) and oral hygiene instruction.
- BRIGHT & WHITE - complete prophylaxis session including: ultrasonic scaling, professional brushing, air-flow, immediate fluoridation, and oral hygiene instruction.
- Perio-LASER Cleaning - subgingival scaling, bacterial decontamination with Biolase LASER, performed by the periodontist - on both arches.
Thus, tartar is both an aesthetic and a medical issue. To maintain a healthy and beautiful smile, it is important to brush correctly, pay attention to dietary habits, and have regular dental check-ups.