Teeth with tartar: how to remove tartar and prevent its appearance

About 500 different species of bacteria live inside our mouths. They appear temporarily after meals and are removed by brushing the teeth. If there is not a good brushing, the bacteria adhere to the surface of the teeth and bacterial plaque accumulates, a sticky, yellowish-white substance made up of microorganisms and bacterial products, food debris and saliva proteins. When this plaque is mineralized, it is called tartar, dental calculus, tartar, etc.

Tartar forms from dental plaque. If this is not removed by brushing, it becomes a hard, calcified deposit. In the tartar there is 75% mineral matter, especially crystals of calcium and magnesium from the saliva itself. It accumulates especially in the area behind the lower incisors and on the outer face of the upper molars, which is where the salivary glands flow. When it accumulates, many people wonder how to remove tartar from teeth

Teeth with tartar: what is it

Tartar is a deposit of calcified dental plaque It has a tendency to form at the junction between the tooth and the gum. Dental plaque is a whitish substance that adheres to the surface of the teeth and gums, the product of food debris and bacterial flora.

Two types of tartar are distinguished:

Subgingival. The one that forms under the gum, brown in color and attached to the root.Supragingival. The one that is located above the gum, deposited on the neck of the tooth and usually lighter in color. Food dyes (from tea, coffee, licorice, etc.) and tobacco can cause pigmentation.

If they do not brush their teeth after meals or regularly to remove plaque bacteria inflammations can occur that cause the gums to bleed when brushing their teeth.

The gum separates from the teeth, becomes red and painful. Pockets develop around the teeth and the inflammation affects the inner tissues of the bone that surrounds the tooth. This bone can atrophy and teeth can lose support, shift, become infected, and fall out.

Whether tartar forms more or less quickly depends on a number of factors:

The quality of brushing. It is necessary to brush the teeth after meals, using dental floss and interproximal brushes if necessary. saliva (pH, amount, thickness…)exogenous factors (tobacco and certain medications, such as antidepressants or antihypertensives, which can induce a decrease or suppression of salivary flow and thus favor the tendency to accumulate tartar). Lack of teeth or misaligned teeth that make brushing difficult. People who They breathe through their mouths and tend to have more inflamed gums. Food. The diet should provide vitamins C, D and E, as well as protein, calcium and phosphorus. Systemic ailments, such as diabetes, liver, autoimmune or anemia. Pregnancy or menstruation.

How to remove tartar from teeth?

The removal of tartar is necessary to carry out at least once every year since the one that forms under the gums can be harmful to the tooth and gums. It is performed with an ultrasound device and manual instruments. This process is harmless to the tooth. After the treatment, the gum may be a little sensitive to cold and heat, acids and sweets. This sensitivity can be avoided by using a mildly abrasive toothpaste.

How to prevent tartar

To prevent tartar it is useful:

Brushing teeth after each meal.floss for good interdental hygiene.Eat balanced.No Smoking.It is necessary at least an annual visit to the dentist to prevent problems. Periodontal disease is silent and is only detected in dental check-ups. Black poplar rinses wash away tartar and rotting food debris from the interdental spaces.

How to use dental floss?

Dental floss has been used since the late 19th century.at the initiative of a New Orleans dentist who indicated silk thread, to remove food debris and bacterial plaque.

When in the middle of the last century it was discovered nylon, much more resistant and elasticits use became widespread in the manufacture of dental floss, as silk substitute.

In Spain, however, it is often called dental floss even if it is made of nylon or plastic.

Brushing cleans the external and internal facesand the masticatory surface, but not the contact areas between teethwhere the thread exerts its action.

Its use is so important that there is a verb in English, to flosswhich means “to pass the thread between the teeth”.

The technique requires some practice. Ideally, the dentist or dental hygienist explains how to use it.

About 50 cm of thread is cut.They wrap around the middle fingers, leaving about 2-3 cm between themTense with thumb and index finger from each hand.It is passed between the teeth, carefully not to hurt the gum. This is done between all the teeth and also on the posterior walls of the last molars.

If the gums bleed, it may be a sign that professional dental hygiene is necessary, or that flossing is not being used gently. A dentist can review it to advise you on the most suitable brush for you.

What is the most recommended type of dental floss?

exist various types of dental floss in the market:

with wax, to pass more easily between the teeth It is the most advisable.no wax In addition to being more laborious to make it pass through the interdental space, If the dental floss frays, there may be a cavity, tartar, fillings or ill-fitting dentures.so it is preferable to avoid this risk.dental tapewider, recommended for large spaces interdental.Threaders dental floss, for cleaning under the bridges or in the case of carrying fixed orthodontics.

Why is dental floss better than toothpicks?

If dental floss is not going to be used, or if there is something trapped between two pieces, the use of floss is highly recommended. small interdental brushes for cleaning between the teeth.

They perform the function of traditional chopsticks and should replace them as the chopsticks create a lever effect and if they are made of wood they can break into splintersincurring all the problems already mentioned in case the dental floss leaves residues between the teeth, in addition to being able to dig into the gum, causing wounds and infections.