What is tartar buildup on teeth

If not treated, the damage could become permanent. It contains millions of bacteria that feed on the food and drinks you eat every day. And while you can remove plaque at home, tartar removal requires the help of a dental professional. Tartar, also called dental calculus, is a yellow or brown colored deposit that forms when plaque hardens on your teeth.

Because tartar buildup on teeth is strongly bonded to the tooth enamel, it can only be removed by a dental professional.

You have a greater risk of developing tartar with braces, dry mouth, crowded teeth, smoking and aging. Individuals vary greatly in their susceptibility to tartar buildup. For many, these deposits build up faster with age. When saliva, food, and fluids combine in your mouth they produce an environment that allows the bacteria to grow and deposit which collect on teeth and gums and especially where the teeth and gums meet.

Common foods that contribute to plaque formation and growth include those containing carbohydrates, or simple sugars, such as sucrose and starches, found in soft drinks and candy. Plaque constantly forms on your teeth no matter what you eat and drink.

If it does harden, however, it bonds to your teeth and can only be removed by a dental professional. They also may cause gum disease, which has been linked to other health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even tooth loss. Some stores may sell DIY tartar removal kits, but jamming pointy tools into your own mouth can be dangerous, as it may lacerate your gums or tongue.

While these foods may be healthy, there are no studies linking them to the removal of tartar. Your dentist and dental hygienist are both highly qualified remove built-up tartar.

They may use special instruments like an ultrasonic device or scaling tools to painlessly get rid of the material. Poor oral hygiene is the number one cause of hardened plaque. By taking good care of your teeth and gums, you can prevent tartar buildup. Leave the baking soda on for at least fifteen minutes before rinsing. While not exactly tasty, baking soda can neutralize harmful acids from things like sodas and foods while also killing bacteria and whitening teeth naturally.

Using white vinegar is another method that can cut through tartar. Start by mixing white vinegar in a glass of warm saltwater. This solution can then be gargled once a day to aide in the removal of tartar that has formed on the region between the teeth and gums.

The mixture should be made from two tablespoons of white vinegar into a cup of warm water with dissolved salt. The acetic nature of the white vinegar means that this method is very effective in killing unwanted bacteria and preventing infection. Orange peels are also a great way to get rid of tartar.

This is easy to do as you just take the inside of an orange peel and rub it along the teeth and gum areas. Another method is used by making a paste from the mashed bits of the inside of the peel and mixing them with water.

This paste can then be applied to the teeth with a toothbrush. The vitamin C and antimicrobial properties of the orange peel cuts through caked on tartar and plaque, as well as killing microbial growth on teeth. Of course the best solution to tarter is to stop it before it starts. This is done by brushing your teeth two times daily for at least two minutes with the brush being at a forty-five degree angle to your teeth, making sure to brush each side of each tooth completely.

Avoiding sugary snacks and drinks is also key. Sugar in food not only aids in allowing plaque to develop a sticky film which coats teeth, but sugar is also a necessary ingredient in microbial growth. Once the microorganisms have a food source in this sugar, they are all set to eat and reproduce which not only leads to bad breath but can cause infection.

It should go without saying that flossing also goes a long way in preventing the build up of tartar and plaque which lead to cavities and tooth decay. Floss is a tried and true method to scrape off the accumulated plaque in the crevices between teeth.

This method, supplemented with the gargling of white vinegar water, is an excellent home solution for preventing tartar build-up in these not-so-accessible areas.