Plaque and Tartar on Teeth: Signs, Causes and Treatment

Plaque leads to tartar on your teeth – it’s a known rule. So removing plaque off in a timely manner not only keeps your teeth whiter and prettier, but also prolongs the life of your teeth.

Plaque is a sticky, colorless movie of bacteria that continuously forms on our teeth and along the gum line. Plaque includes bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.

As plaque kinds and is not removed by proper brushing and flossing, it can harden into tartar — often called calculus — which is calcified (or hardened) plaque that attaches to the enamel on your teeth, as well as listed below the gum line.

Signs and Symptoms of Plaque on Teeth

Everyone establishes plaque because bacteria are constantly growing in our mouths, which is not necessarily easy to see. Plaque that is not eliminated from around the gum line can cause swelling and irritation to the gums around your teeth, resulting in gingivitis (red, swollen, bleeding gums). If gingivitis is not dealt with, it can progress to periodontal disease and, potentially, missing teeth.

Unlike plaque, tartar is a mineral accumulation that’s fairly simple to see, if above the gum line. The most common sign of tartar is a yellow or brown deposit in between the lower front teeth or at the gum line. The only method to get rid of tartar totally is to see your dental expert or dental hygienist for an expert cleansing.

What is Dental Plaque?

Plaque and Tartar on Teeth Causes

A great deal of what we eat and drink remains in our mouths long after we have actually ended up. Bacteria in our mouths flourish on many of these foods– particularly sugars and carbohydrates– and produce acids that can attack the tooth surface. Additionally, if correct flossing and tooth brushing are not performed effectively each day this causes more plaque and tartar advancement. Tartar provides plaque more surface area on which to grow and a much stickier surface area to stick to.

Prevention for Plaque and Tartar

It’s simple to prevent plaque buildup with correct care. Ensure to:

Brush thoroughly a minimum of twice a day for 2 minutes to thoroughly get rid of plaque from all surface areas of your teeth.

Floss daily to eliminate plaque from in between your teeth and under your gum line, where your toothbrush may not reach.
Limit sweet or starchy foods, especially sticky snacks.
Schedule at least two routine dental sees for expert cleanings and dental evaluations each year.

Correct brushing, particularly with a tartar control toothpaste, and flossing are needed to reduce plaque and tartar accumulation. Once tartar has actually formed, just your dental expert or dental hygienist can eliminate it expertly.

Plaque and Tartar on Teeth Treatment

The procedure for getting rid of tartar is called scaling. During a scaling, the dental professional or dental hygienist uses special instruments (ultrasonic and hand scalers, and curettes) to eliminate tartar and plaque from your teeth, above and below the gum line.

Good to know: How to Remove Tartar and Plaque From Teeth Naturally

Associated Conditions

Without correct treatment, tartar and plaque can cause a range of issues like cavities, gum disease and tooth loss. It is necessary to brush twice a day and floss as soon as a day, and schedule routine checkups and professional cleanings with your dental professional.

Stop plaque in its tracks

Plaque is a sticky bacteria that stays with your teeth. When plaque is not eliminated through brushing and flossing, it develops into tartar. Attempt among our toothpastes which decreases plaque and tartar build up.