Have you ever heard of dental tartar, but don’t quite know what it is or how to prevent it from building up on your teeth? Our team of dentists takes the time to sort it all out in this article.

Differentiate between tartar and dental plaque

Many of our patients have difficulty differentiating between tartar and dental plaque or even talk about the two as if they were the same thing, when it is not. We completely understand the confusion since although they are two different things, they are indeed linked!

For there to be tartar, there must first be plaque. Dental plaque is the result of the combination of saliva, food residues and oxygen in our mouth, which is a very favorable place for the proliferation of bacteria. When bacteria build up, then you see the appearance of dental plaque, which is a rather soft and sticky substance.

If the plaque is not removed daily by brushing, it mineralizes and becomes tartar, which is much harder and rougher. Tartar can be seen with the naked eye: it is usually light yellow and is found at the root of the teeth.

How to prevent tartar?

Several actions can be taken on your part to prevent the accumulation of tartar on your teeth. Here are the main ones:

Have excellent dental hygiene. This means brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily. It is really the movement of the toothbrush that is essential in order to properly dislodge plaque. You can also use a toothpaste specially designed to remove tartar as well as an antibacterial mouthwash if necessary.

Reduce or stop your consumption of sugar, tobacco and alcohol. These substances promote the appearance of plaque, and therefore tartar. By limiting your consumption, you promote your oral health.

Visit your dentist regularly for cleaning.

How to get rid of dental tartar?

Only a visit to the dentist can really get rid of dental tartar. Using specialized tools, the dentist or dental hygienist will be able to dislodge the tartar accumulated on your teeth. It is with a small tool whose tip looks like a hook that he or she can scrape your teeth and the base of your gums in order to dislodge the tartar.

Be careful, however, to make regular appointments with the dentist for a good cleaning! Indeed, if you wait too long, the scale buildup may become too much for ordinary cleaning. Tartar can accumulate under the gums and this then requires a deeper cleaning to dislodge it. It is all the more important to do this, because allowing tartar to accumulate under the gums can lead to other more serious complications.

We hope that this information has given you a better understanding of what dental tartar is, how to prevent it and above all, the importance of regularly visiting your dentist in order to carry out a proper cleaning. Do not hesitate to contact us to make an appointment now!