Removing strong tartar from teeth, also known as dental calculus, is important for maintaining oral health, but it can be challenging to deal with, especially when it builds up significantly. Here’s how you can address tartar and ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy.
Professional Dental Cleaning
The most effective way to remove tartar, especially when it’s strong or extensive, is through a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. They use specialized tools, such as ultrasonic devices and hand scalers, to carefully remove tartar from above and below the gum line. This process is also known as scaling.
Regular Dental Visits
Preventive care through regular dental check-ups is crucial. Dentists can catch tartar buildup early and remove it before it leads to more serious problems like gum disease. It’s typically recommended to visit your dentist every six months for a routine cleaning and examination.
At-Home Oral Hygiene
While tartar cannot be removed at home once it’s formed, you can prevent its buildup and manage plaque (which turns into tartar) with good oral hygiene practices:
- Brushing: Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush using circular motions, paying special attention to the gum line where plaque tends to accumulate.
- Flossing: Floss at least once a day to remove plaque from between your teeth and under the gumline, areas where your toothbrush can’t reach.
- Mouthwash: Use an antiseptic or anti-plaque mouthwash to help reduce plaque bacteria. This is not a substitute for brushing or flossing but can be an additional tool in your oral hygiene arsenal.
Diet Considerations
What you eat affects your dental health. To prevent plaque and tartar buildup:
- Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks: Sugar encourages bacterial growth and plaque formation.
- Eat Teeth-Friendly Foods: Foods that are high in fiber like fruits and vegetables increase saliva flow, which helps to cleanse the mouth. Cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products can help neutralize acids produced by dental plaque bacteria.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking contributes to tartar buildup and gum disease. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce these risks and improve your overall oral health.
Conclusion
While you can manage plaque at home to prevent tartar from forming, once tartar has developed, only professional dental tools can effectively remove it. Regular dental visits, proper brushing and flossing, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking are key to preventing tartar buildup and maintaining oral health. If you notice any signs of tartar, schedule an appointment with your dentist to get it properly treated.