{"id":107000,"date":"2022-10-18T14:20:34","date_gmt":"2022-10-18T12:20:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.wearenordics.com\/sm61\/?p=107000"},"modified":"2022-10-18T14:20:34","modified_gmt":"2022-10-18T12:20:34","slug":"what-you-need-to-know-about-tartar-or-dental-calculus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.wearenordics.com\/en\/lifestyle\/what-you-need-to-know-about-tartar-or-dental-calculus\/","title":{"rendered":"What you Need to Know About Tartar or Dental Calculus"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is Tartar?<\/span><\/h1>\n

Do you know how many bacteria reside inside your mouth? The answer is 6 billion, including 700 different species of them! Not all of them lead to health problems, and a lot of serious diseases and infections can be prevented by proper oral hygiene with the appropriate dental care products.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But what happens to the bacteria causing plaque around the enamel of the teeth over time? The plaque layers are getting thicker and they form<\/span> dental calculus or tartar<\/span><\/a><\/span>,<\/span> which stains the teeth and creates openings or \u201cpockets\u201d under and above the gum line where bacteria can insert the bloodstream.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tartar or dental calculus<\/span><\/a><\/span>,<\/span> which is a severe case of hardening and calcified plaque, occurs<\/span> when minerals in saliva and gums react with a bacterial plaque in the teeth. It severely affects the gum structure and unlike other milder dental diseases such as gingivitis, it cannot be reversed or cured with improved dental hygiene habits at home. Bad breath, discoloration of the enamel, receding gums, and persistently swollen gingiva are just a few of the clinical signs of calculus formation. Plaque from which the calculus forms can be eliminated with brushing and flossing. However, once created, calculus is too firmly adhered to be removed with a toothbrush. Ultrasonic tools or dental hand instruments can be used to treat calculus buildup.<\/span><\/p>\n

From Plaque to Tartar<\/span><\/h1>\n

As mentioned previously, the bacteria that cause plaque buildup around the enamel of the teeth and the gums are the same ones that, when combined with poor diet and dental hygiene, can lead to calculus formation. The gum line becomes infected and swollen, and when the infection (gingivitis) spreads so much that there is a loss of the connecting tissue between the gingiva and teeth, resulting in periodontitis. When the plaque accumulation resides in the \u201cpockets\u201d created for a period of time, then it becomes calcified and a lot harder to treat, known as tartar.<\/span> Show Source<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Essentially, both plaque and tartar are almost guaranteed to develop and cause severe infections in the mouth and spread to other organs through the bloodstream due to poor dental hygiene. While plaque is easier to reverse with regular teeth brushing and flossing, <\/span>tartar causes severe tooth decay which needs to be immediately treated by a licensed dental practitioner. When the hardening of the plaque is extensive, significant problems may occur such as cavities, gum infection, and tooth loss. The timely and thorough removal of the plaque can prevent, permanent tooth decay and gum disease. If the plaque is not removed from the surface of the tooth effectively, poor and ineffective dental hygiene can cause the saliva to merge with the plaque and create tartar.<\/span> Show Source<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>How to Prevent it<\/b><\/h1>\n

The first step to stop tartar from forming and provoking more damage is prevention. Dental practitioners inculcate the importance of regular teeth brushing, flossing, and mouthwash rinsing after a meal because the plaque that forms can turn into dental calculus even within hours. So here are the steps to help you prevent that from happening and ensure impeccable cleaning at home:<\/span><\/p>\n