Tartar Build Up
Tooth decay and gum disease begin with plaque on teeth, which can develop into tartar if not removed by brushing and flossing. Tartar can cause chronic gum inflammation, also called gingivitis, which can lead to serious gum disease. Preventing tartar build-up and having regular professional teeth cleaning is essential for good dental health.
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Identification
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Plaque is a sticky, colorless substance containing bacteria and sugars, which can start forming as soon as four hours after brushing. It mostly collects around the edges of fillings, grooves on teeth, and along and just under gum lines. When it is not brushed away with effective ingredients or removed by flossing, plaque begins to harden and eventually calcifies into tartar. Another name for tartar, in fact, is calculus.
Considerations
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Plaque and tartar both contain acids which cause tooth decay by eating away the enamel surface of teeth. Tartar attracts more plaque because it is much stickier than teeth and also creates more surface area where plaque can grow. More dangerous bacteria can start building up in the tartar, producing toxins that cause gingivitis. Gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, where the toxins attack and damage the bones and connective tissue supporting teeth. This can cause bone loss and loose teeth.
The United States Food and Drug Administration identifies gum disease as the major reason for adult tooth loss. The American Academy of Periodontology states that people with serious gum disease are nearly twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease, due to the stress of continuous inflammation in the body.
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Effects
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Tartar is also a cosmetic issue. It is light to dark yellow or tan in color, which makes it visible when it occurs outside the gums. In addition, tartar is more porous than teeth are, so it absorbs stains more easily, causing problems for smokers, or people who drink coffee or tea.
Prevention/Solution
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Brushing at least twice a day with a tartar control toothpaste will remove food residue and plaque, and prevent plaque from turning into tartar. Using an electric rotation oscillation toothbrush also can help. This is the type of brush dentists use, and is the only brush which can get under the gum line and remove plaque there.
Fluoride is very important as well. After toothpaste manufacturers began adding fluoride to their products in the late 1950s, people achieved enormous improvement in their battles against cavities, which was further assisted by communities including fluoride in the water supply. Fluoride inhibits bacteria and strengthens the surface of teeth, thus helping to prevent the destruction of tooth enamel.
Flossing is vital because brushing cannot reach everywhere that floss can. Because flossing helps prevent tartar from building up under the gum line, it prevents gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Warning
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Dentists and hygienists remove tartar in a process called scaling, which requires special dental tools. Dentists advise people not to try scaling on their own. It is very difficult to obtain proper visibility, and also to work backwards while watching yourself in a mirror. People are likely to damage their gums and possibly even their teeth while poking around their mouths with sharp instruments.
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