Tartar is a very common dental health problem and is often underestimated, even though this condition can cause serious dental and oral diseases. So that this does not happen, you need to know first what causes tartar and how to prevent it.
Tartar or calculus often does not cause physical symptoms or complaints, so many people do not realize that there is tartar in their mouth.
Although it does not cause symptoms, tartar that is not cleaned and treated over time can cause several dental and gum health problems, such as gingivitis, tooth decay, or even tooth loss.
Therefore, keep your teeth clean and check your teeth regularly to the dentist. That way, tartar can be detected early on and treated immediately.
Some Causes of Tartar and its Dangers
Tartar is formed due to the buildup of plaque on the teeth that is left too long and not cleaned. Dental plaque is a thin layer formed from food residue left in the mouth.
The formation of tartar can be caused by several things, including:
- Poor oral and dental hygiene, for example, rarely brushing your teeth or not flossing
- The habit of consuming foods or drinks that contain a lot of sugar, such as candy, milk, packaged drinks, and cakes
- Habit of smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages
- Dry mouth, for example as a side effect of medications, autoimmune diseases, or thyroid disorders
This build-up of tartar cannot be removed by brushing your teeth as usual. This allows the bacteria present in the tartar to irritate and damage the gums and teeth.
Over time, these irritations can trigger gum diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontitis, which can have serious consequences if left untreated.
This periodontitis can then increase the risk of tooth loss and damage to the bones and tissues around the teeth. In addition, untreated periodontitis can also increase the risk of other diseases, such as heart disease and stroke.
How to Overcome Tartar
To overcome the formation of plaque and tartar, you can do the following ways:
1. Brush your teeth regularly
Brush your teeth regularly 2 times a day for 2 minutes, by brushing your teeth properly. Make sure the back surfaces of your teeth and molars are reached when brushing your teeth.
When brushing your teeth, use a toothpaste that contains fluoride and brush your teeth with soft bristles. Try to reach all the areas between your teeth and mouth. You can also try using baking soda to clean tartar.
2. Use dental floss and mouthwash
Also clean your teeth with dental floss at least once a day after brushing your teeth. This aims to remove plaque and food residue between the teeth that may still be left behind because it is difficult to reach by a toothbrush.
After that, rinse your mouth with mouthwash to clean your teeth and mouth, and eradicate the bacteria that cause plaque and tartar. To avoid irritating your gums and mouth, you can use an alcohol-free mouthwash or one that contains essential oils.
3. Reduce sugar consumption
It has been mentioned earlier that plaque-causing bacteria develop due to consumption of foods or drinks that contain a lot of sugar. To control plaque buildup, limit the consumption of sugary foods and increase the consumption of balanced nutritious foods.
4. Drink enough water
You are recommended to drink 8 glasses or about 2 liters of water every day. Water serves to lift bacteria and dirt in the mouth that can trigger the buildup of plaque that causes tartar. In addition, drinking enough water every day also prevents you from dry mouth which can damage teeth.
5. Avoid smoking and alcoholic beverages
As much as possible stay away from cigarettes and alcoholic beverages. The reason is, these bad habits can increase the risk of dental and oral health problems, including the formation of tartar.
How to Remove Tartar?
Brushing your teeth alone is not effective enough to remove tartar that has formed. You need the help of a dentist to remove tartar.
The method commonly used by doctors to treat tartar is tooth scaling. This procedure is divided into two techniques, namely manually and using an ultrasonic machine.
Manual dental scaling procedures are usually performed to treat tartar that is still thin or in small amounts. If the amount of tartar is too much, tooth scaling can be done using an ultrasonic machine.
Basically, tartar must be cleaned immediately even though the amount is only small and does not cause complaints. This aims to prevent complications in the form of more serious dental and oral diseases.
That is why, you are advised to have regular dental check-ups at the dentist at least every 6 months. During a dental examination, the doctor will evaluate the health condition of your teeth and mouth, and clean your teeth if plaque and tartar have formed.