0
What else can I help you with?
What is Dental Tartar?
Introduction Dental plaque or tooth plaque is a microbial plaque and soft, sticky film that form upon the teeth when bacteria in the mouth mix with sweet or starchy foods. Saliva, food & juices unite to generate bacteria deposits, which collect where the teeth and gums meet. Composed of bacteria, which produce acids that attack your tooth enamel and can damage your gums, Plaque can destroy tooth enamel and cause cavities and gingivitis. Plaque, if not removed, hardens into tough-to-remove tartar and can also develop under the gums on tooth roots and break down the bones that support teeth. Proper oral hygiene, brushing and flossing can help get rid of plaque. Regular dental checkups protect teeth and can fight tartar. How Is Dental Tartar Formed? Rough and porous and yellow or brown, tartar is also known as dental calculus, which forms below and above the gum line. Deposited on the teeth it traps stains which in turn, cause discolouration. Foods like milk, soft drinks, cake, and candies that contain sugars or starches are big contributors to the growth of plaque. The stains can also be caused by certain foods like blueberries, coffee and other colour-rich foods. The bacteria in the mouth release acids that break down carbohydrates present in food and drinks. Inappropriate brushing of teeth combined with bacteria, acids and carbohydrates mix to form a sticky, colourless film called plaque. How Common is Dental Plaque or Tartar? Quite common, dental plaque is present in everyone to some extent. The murky feeling on the teeth when you run your tongue over them is plaque. When the plaque hardens, a yellow or brown colored deposit called tartar or dental calculus builds up on your teeth. Improper or irregular brushing and flossing can cause plaque to harden into tartar which can be removed only by a dental professional. As the tartar buildup on teeth is strongly attached to the tooth enamel, only dental professionals can remove it. People with braces, dry mouth, crowded teeth, smoking and ageing have a greater risk of developing tartar. Who May Be More Likely to Get a Plaque? Though everyone gets plaque there are more chances of developing plaque if you: Eat foods or drinks rich in starch or sugar. Have dry mouth due to medications Have undergone head/neck radiation in the past. You are a regular smoker What Are the Symptoms of Dental Tartar? A fuzzy feeling on the teeth is the topmost sign that you have plaque. Other signs are Chronic bad breath (halitosis), Red, swollen, tender gums that bleed after brushing. What Are the Complications of Plaque and Tartar? Plaque and tartar can lead to: Cavities. Gingivitis and periodontal (gum) disease. Severe gum infection (periodontitis). Tooth decay and loss. Tooth infection (abscessed tooth). How Is It Diagnosed? During regular dental checkups, the dentist or dental hygienist uses instruments to find and remove plaque, which can cause cavities. Dental X-rays can also help to check for cavities. How Are Plaque and Tartar Managed or Treated? Maintaining optimal oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing, removes plaque and prevents tartar buildup. The dental professional can scrape plaque and tartar from teeth during a routine examination. Dental sealants can also help keep plaque from forming on the top chewing surfaces of teeth. Dry mouth medications can be prescribed to increase saliva production. Fluoride treatments can also help slow the growth of plaque-causing bacteria & stop tooth decay. The process of removing the tartar is called scaling. Special instruments and methods are used to remove the tartar by dentists, who are well trained for the process. When Should I Call the Doctor? You should consult your dentist in case you experience: Persistent bad breath. Facial swelling. Lose tooth. Pain or difficulty chewing. Redness around or inside the mouth. Swollen gums that bleed or any other signs of gum For more information visit: kirklandpremierdentistrydotcom
What is the best remedy to get rid of dental tartar?
Keeping optimal oral hygiene with daily brushing and flossing, removes plaque and prevents tartar buildup. The dental specialist can scrape plaque and tartar from teeth during a routine examination. Dental sealants can also help keep plaque from building on the top chewing surfaces of teeth. Dry mouth medications can be prescribed to increase saliva production. Fluoride treatments can also help slow the growth of plaque-causing bacteria & stop tooth decay. The method of removing the tartar is called scaling. Special instruments and methods are used to remove the tartar by dentists, who are well trained for the process For more information visit: kirklandpremierdentistrydotcom.
How is the tooth decay related with plaque?
Plaque forms around the gum line & is not easily removed by brushing alone & becomes harder over time damaging the tooth enamel allowing bacteria to enter the tooth & cause decay. A professional clean is also far more effective at removing tartar and staining, making your mouth look and feel fresh, clean and healthy.
What is calculus on teeth?
Calculus (also called "tartar") is a buildup of minerals (chiefly Calcium Phosphate) on the teeth. Minerals are caught in unremoved plaque harden onto the teeth forming tartar, which then forms a rough-surfaced base for more plaque to form.
Why should plaque be removed?
Plaque should be removed because it is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if not cleaned regularly. If left untreated, plaque can harden into tartar, which is much more difficult to remove and can contribute to further oral health issues. Regular brushing and flossing help maintain oral hygiene and prevent complications associated with plaque buildup. Additionally, removing plaque can enhance overall dental aesthetics and freshen breath.
What is known to form on the teeth that irritate the tissue surrounding the teeth?
Plaque forms on all surfaces of the teeth. It is a layer of bacteria. Often the part of the tooth closest to the gum isn't cleaned properly and the plaque stay there. It will continue to grow into a thick layer, while it consumes the carbohydrates (eg sugar, starch etc) and then makes acid. This acid can inflame the gums. Plaque can be removed using a toothbrush or floss. Mouthwash will not remove plaque. Conversely, if plaque sits on teeth for too long in certain parts of the mouth with lots of saliva, that plaque can mineralise and become a cement-like layer called 'Calculus' or also known at 'Tartar'. This is a rough surface that harbours more plaque and can irritate the surrounding tissue. Calculus/Tartar cannot be removed with a toothbrush/floss. A dental professional will have to remove this build-up.
What is the waxy like substance that can cause heart disease?
That waxy fat-like substance is called plaque. It's packed with bacteria, the longer plaque stays in the mouth the more bacteria it has. Plaque causes gum disease - gingivitis, which is reversible if you remove plaque and maintain oral hygiene. It can be removed by dental floss only (no toothpicks, because toothpicks can't go under your gum line and completely remove plaque). How it can be done? Easy! Slide floss between your teeth . Then you slide floss under gum line 1-2 mm (there is 1-3mm pocket between gum and tooth), wrap the floss around the tooth and move floss up and down with little pressure, like you scrubbing the tooth. it will be a little awkward when you start doing it, but more you practice the better you'll get. And remember, you have to floss every night before brushing. You don't do every night, you'll forget. You do it every night, it will become your lifestyle. If you don't remove plague and let it stay for a while it calcifies and become hard. This is called tartar and you will not be able to remove it. Only dental hygienist can remove tartar. If you don't remove tartar bacteria invades deep tissues of the gum and you can start periodontal disease, very quiet and ugly disease which makes your gums recede, contributes to bone loss and eventually tooth loss. But it is a worst case scenario. So guys, remove plaque, which causes not only gum disease, but bad breath and cavities between teeth. And dentures cost a lot of money and don't chew the same as natural teeth, so stay away from ugly plaque.
Is cream of tartar safe to whiten teeth with?
Tooth SensitivityAccording to Robert Blake, cream of tartar has a harmful effect on teeth by depriving them of their cortex. In his book An Essay on the Structure and Formation of the Teeth in Man and various Animals, Blake notes that this results in heightened sensitivity in the teeth to even the slightest changes in the temperature of both fluids or the atmosphere. As a result, he cautions against the use of cream of tartar as a tooth powder. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/195760-cream-of-tartar-side-effects/#ixzz2Vq3zG9qa
What are the characteristics of a unhealthy mouth?
An unhealthy mouth often exhibits signs such as persistent bad breath, which may indicate gum disease or tooth decay. Additionally, swollen or bleeding gums can suggest gingivitis or periodontitis. Other characteristics include visible plaque or tartar buildup on teeth, cavities, and tooth sensitivity or pain. Overall, these symptoms reflect poor oral hygiene and can lead to more serious health issues if not addressed.
What things feed on more than one type of food that lives on the tooth?
Plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria, feeds on sugars and carbohydrates found in food particles left on the teeth. Additionally, some bacteria in plaque produce acids that can lead to tooth decay and cavities. Regular brushing and flossing can help remove food particles and reduce plaque buildup.
What periodontal dease looks like?
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, typically presents with symptoms such as swollen, red, or bleeding gums, bad breath, and receding gums. In more advanced stages, it can lead to the formation of pockets between the teeth and gums, tooth mobility, and even tooth loss. The gums may appear inflamed, and there can be a buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth. If not treated, periodontal disease can progress to severe forms, affecting the supporting structures of the teeth.
What is difference between plaque and material Alba?
Plaque is a biofilm of bacteria that accumulates on teeth and can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Material alba is a soft, white accumulation of food debris and dead cells that can be easily removed by brushing or rinsing. Plaque is more harmful to dental health than material alba.
