How to Remove Teeth Tartar Buildup
Maintaining a healthy and radiant smile goes beyond daily brushing and flossing – it involves tackling the persistent challenge of teeth tartar buildup. Dental calculus, or tartar, can mar the appearance of teeth, contribute to bad breath, and pave the way for more severe oral health issues.
In this article, we delve into the importance of addressing teeth tartar buildup and explore effective methods for its removal. From practical at-home strategies to insights into professional dental care, discover a comprehensive approach to combating teeth tartar and embracing a cavity-free, gleaming grin.
Table of Contents
What is Teeth Tartar?
Teeth tartar, also known as dental calculus, is a hardened deposit that forms on the teeth when plaque, a soft and sticky film of bacteria, minerals, and food particles, is not adequately removed through regular oral hygiene practices.
Plaque buildup occurs naturally on teeth, and if it’s not removed by proper brushing and flossing, it can mineralize and harden into tartar. Tartar is typically yellow or brown in color and forms along the gumline and between teeth.
The Consequences of Teeth Tartar Buildup
Teeth tartar contains damaging bacteria that can lead to poor oral health. The buildup provides a rough surface that can attract more plaque and bacteria, leading to further dental problems.
- Gum Disease: Tartar accumulation along the gumline can irritate and inflame the gums, leading to gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease that can cause gum recession, tooth mobility, and even tooth loss.
- Cavities: Tartar provides a rough surface that attracts and harbors bacteria. These bacteria produce acid, which can contribute to tooth decay and the formation of cavities.
- Bad Breath: The presence of tartar and the associated bacterial activity can contribute to persistent bad breath.
- Systemic Health Concerns: There is a direct link to poor oral health and systemic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory issues.
Causes of Teeth with Tartar Build Up
Although anyone can develop teeth tartar buildup, certain factors can increase the risk dental calculus. Individuals with specific characteristics or habits may be more prone to developing dental calculus. Some common risk factors include:
Poor Oral Hygiene Habits
Inconsistent or inadequate brushing and flossing can lead to the accumulation of plaque, which, if not removed, can harden into tartar. The mechanical removal of food, plaque, and bacteria with proper technique is crucial to prevention.
Infrequent dental cleanings can also lead to teeth tartar buildup. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings are crucial for preventing tartar buildup. Individuals who do not visit the dentist regularly may be at a higher risk.
Smoking and tobacco use can contribute to the development of tartar and increase the risk of gum disease. Smoking dries out the mouth and gum tissues, increasing bacteria activity, plaque film, and calculus buildup.
Certain Medical Conditions
There is a direct correlation between oral health and systemic diseases Certain medical conditions can lead to an increased risk of teeth tartar buildup and make it difficult to prevent it.
- Dry Mouth: Saliva helps neutralize bacteria and clean food particles off of the teeth and gums. Without it, plaque easily builds up and turns into tartar fast.
- Mouth Breathing: Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose will decrease saliva flow and create a dry environment in your mouth.
- For additional information, check out our Mouth Breather vs Nose Breather article.
- Certain Medications: Some medications can contribute to dry mouth or affect oral health, increasing the risk of tartar buildup.
- Head & Neck Radiation: Certain cancers require radiation treatments to the head and neck. This can affect the salivary glands and cause dry mouth.
Other Contributing Factors
Dental calculus is a common concern for most patients at the dental office. Even with daily brushing and flossing, some people might always battle this problem. Below are some other contributing factors that make lead to buildup on the teeth.
- Teeth Alignment: Tight and crowded teeth are harder to efficiently clean and remove day-to-day plaque and bacteria.
- Orthodontics: Retainers and other appliances that are glued to the teeth are harder to clean around.
- Poor Dental Work: Bulky restorations like crowns and bridges have extra ledges and surfaces that plaque and bacteria can build up on.
- Poor Dexterity: Compromised dexterity can make it difficult to clean all the small areas in the mouth. It is common for elderly patients to have increased teeth tartar buildup.
How to Remove Teeth Tartar Buildup
Once tartar has formed, home care alone may not be sufficient to remove it entirely. Removing teeth tartar buildup typically requires professional dental intervention.
A professional dental cleaning is necessary for effective tartar removal and to prevent further oral health issues. There are a few different types of professional dental cleanings that is used to get rid dental calculus.
- Prophylaxis: This is a routine dental cleaning where the dental hygienist will remove food, plaque, tartar, and bacteria from all surfaces of the teeth and gum pockets. This should be done at least every 6 months.
- Full Mouth Debridement: Without professional dental cleanings, plaque and bacteria will build up in the form of calculus (hardened plaque). This type of cleaning is done when there is too much bleeding and calculus to be removed at one time.
- Scaling and Rooth Planing: Patients with gum disease and bone loss will need a more involved cleaning. A deep cleaning will remove the plaque, calculus, and bacteria above and below the gum line.
- Treating Gum Disease has additional information on deep cleanings.
To learn more about dental cleanings with your dental hygienist, check out our article Breaking Down the Dental Cleaning.
Tips to Prevent Teeth Tartar Buildup
Prevention is key to protecting your teeth and maintaining a healthy smile. Everyone’s mouth is unique and builds up tartar in different amounts. For some, small levels of tartar buildup are inevitable. Our tips for preventing teeth tartar buildup include:
Oral Hygiene Habits
Daily brushing is vital to preventing teeth tartar buildup. Make sure to brush for at least two minutes and use a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid damaging your gums. Ask your dental professionals on what dental toothpaste is best for your smile.
Using an electric toothbrush is more efficient and can help decrease tartar levels. Check out our Electric Toothbrush Benefits article.
The toothbrush can only clean two-thirds of the tooth’s surface. Flossing is the only way to mechanically remove food, plaque, and bacteria in between the teeth. Additional products like water flossers and interdental brushes can also help.
Daily Nutrition
Maintaining a balanced diet can help prevent teeth tartar buildup and improve your smile. Limit sugary and starchy foods foods from your diet including candy, desserts, chips, crackers, and other processed foods.
Staying hydrated throughout the day will also help prevent dental calculus. Saliva flow is important to clean off the teeth and keep the gum tissues hydrated. It is recommended to drink 2.7-3.7 liters of fluids daily. Water is the healthiest beverage for the body.
Additional Lifestyle Changes
Preventing teeth tartar buildup involves a combination of good oral hygiene practices, a healthy lifestyle, and regular dental check-ups. By incorporating these practices below into your daily routine significantly reduce the risk of teeth tartar buildup and promote overall oral health.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol to prevent dry mouth and increased bacteria activity.
- Chew sugar-free gum after eating to stimulate saliva flow and help remove food particles.
- Follow up eating or drinking sugary and acidic beverages with water. This will help neutralize bacteria and help remove food particles.
- Always brush and floss before wearing retainers or sleep appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I remove tartar from my teeth at home?
Tartar cannot be fully removed from the teeth, especially below the gumline in the gum pockets. Professional instruments are needed to skillfully remove the calcified plaque. Removing the tartar at home can permanently damage the tooth structure and gum tissue.
Can you dissolve tartar on teeth?
Calcified plaque, also known as tartar or calculus, cannot be removed at home. It requires sharp instruments to work the cemented plaque off the teeth. It can not be dissolved by toothpaste, baking soda, or other over-the-counter products.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. Certain products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
