Tartar: causes, symptoms, remedies and treatments

Definition

What is tartar?

Tartar is plaque that settles and hardens on the surface of the teeth. In medical terms, this is called dental problems dental calculus.

Plaque is a thin, sticky layer made of bacteria, dirt, and food debris. Plaque takes about 12 days to mature and harden to become coral.

However, the rate at which corals form in each person actually differs depending on the pH level of the saliva. The tartar in the mouths of people who have a high saliva pH (above 7) may form more quickly.

This condition should not be underestimated. Coral that is not removed immediately can cause receding teeth, cavities, and gum disease. However, this condition cannot be eliminated just by regularly brushing your teeth.

It is only possible to remove corals that have appeared around the gum line through the scaling method.

How common is this condition?

Tartar is one of the most common and certain dental problems. According to America Dental Hygienists Association, this condition generally appears in children.

Over time, coral can build up, making you more at risk of various oral problems, especially if you are lazy to brush your teeth or maintain oral hygiene.

Signs and symptoms

What are the characteristics and symptoms of tartar?

The tartar on the teeth usually forms below and above the gum line. When touched with the tongue, tartar tends to be rough.

At first, dental plaque is yellowish-white or brownish-white. Over time, tooth plaque that used to be yellow can turn black.

Over time, the blackened plaque will appear like a rock stuck to the teeth. The darker the color of the coral, the more plaque has accumulated.

The appearance of coral on the gum line does not cause annoying symptoms. However, if allowed to continue, coral can trigger gingivitis, aka gingivitis.

Inflammation of the gums can then make you experience a number of symptoms such as:

The gums are swollen, reddish in color, and feel tender to the touch.
The pain is intense and sharp.
Gums bleed easily when you brush your teeth or use dental floss.
The gums are blackish red.
Bad breath and tends to persist for a long time.

There may be other signs and symptoms not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain symptoms, seeing a doctor is the best step. Only a dentist can identify and determine how severe your oral problem is.

When should I see a doctor?

This condition can lead to more serious health problems. Therefore, seek medical attention immediately if you experience a number of unusual symptoms.

Everyone's body reacts differently. Don't hesitate to consult a dentist to ask about your health condition. Your doctor can choose the right treatment according to your condition.

In principle, the sooner you see a doctor, the better.

Cause

What causes tartar?

The main cause of tartar is the appearance of plaque. Plaque is a sticky layer that sticks to the surface of the teeth.

Plaque can be formed from food debris, dirt, and bacteria that are allowed to continue to accumulate and settle on the surface of the teeth. When plaque is left for a long time, it will harden. This hardened plaque is called tartar.

The more coral that accumulates in the teeth over time will affect the health of the gums. Your gums become easily inflamed and irritated. As a result, gingivitis, aka gingivitis, appears.

When things get worse, coral can cause gum disease (periodontitis).

Risk factors

What are the risk factors that trigger tartar?

There are a number of factors that can put you at an increased risk for tartar. Some of these include:

1. Age

As we get older, it is easier for us to experience various oral problems. Including tartar.

2. Smoking

People who smoke are twice as likely to develop gum disease. On the other hand, gum disease begins due to bacteria in the mouth.

If these bacteria are left in the mouth longer, plaque and coral can appear. Both of these can trigger gum disease.

3. Certain foods

Sugary foods such as ice cream, candy, cookies, etc. can trigger plaque and coral formation. This is because sugar is a delicious meal that bacteria in the mouth awaits.

4. Poor dental hygiene

If your oral hygiene is not maintained properly, food residue and bacteria can continue to accumulate in your mouth. As a result, you are more at risk of developing health problems, including tartar.

5. Rarely drink water

Adequate water intake is needed by the body to keep the body hydrated. That way, your body can produce enough saliva.

Saliva plays an important role in moisturizing the mouth and cleaning the oral cavity from plaque and food debris.

That is why if you rarely drink water, saliva production will be hampered. This allows plaque and bacteria to settle on the surface of the teeth and cause tartar.

Diagnosis and treatment

How is this problem diagnosed?

Routine check with the dentist is one way to diagnose various oral health problems. Including tartar.

In addition to monitoring the patient's dental condition, this routine check-up is also a way of prevention and treatment if you experience certain problems.

At the first meeting, while checking the condition of the mouth, the doctor will ask a complete question regarding your medical history. Tell me all the medicines you are taking each day.

Whether it's prescription drugs, supplements, vitamins, or even herbs. This information can help your doctor determine the right treatment for your condition.

A dental x-ray can be done by a doctor to see the condition of your gums and teeth. This procedure can also detect whether there is any damage to your teeth.

Lab tests and other treatments may also be done to confirm a diagnosis.

What are the treatments for tartar?

The top or bottom line of the gums is where corals are most often covered. The hard texture makes the coral not disappear if only cleaned by brushing your teeth.

Cleaning tartar is done using a tool called an ultrasonic scaler. This activity of cleaning tartar is called scaling which is only done by dentists.

Scaling treatment can remove even very hard tartar. Scaling uses a special tool that is able to clean tartar in great detail, from the sidelines to the deepest part of the tooth. Teeth scaling will remove tartar from the part of the gum line which is usually difficult to reach with a toothbrush.

Ideally, scaling treatment should be done at least every six months. This is why regular and regular dental check-ups every six months is important.

This routine check-up at the dentist is done to check for any changes that have occurred in your teeth. Including, seeing the presence or absence of coral around the gum line.

In severe cases, tooth scaling can be done every three months or as directed by your doctor.

When cleaning teeth by scaling, it is not impossible that there will be bleeding, swollen gums, and pain. This happens because the gums and teeth that are corroded adjust to the scaling process.

What are the complications that can arise from tartar?

Not a few people consider the problem of tartar to be trivial and not dangerous. In fact, tartar is the origin of other dental problems.

Plaque that hardens at the gum line and is not cleaned can cause inflammation of the gums or what is called gingivitis. Inflammation that gets worse makes the gums bleed easily. It can even cause sudden bleeding.

Untreated gingivitis will also lead to periodontitis. Periodontitis is a condition when inflammation has spread to the bone that supports the tooth.

In inflammatory conditions in this section, the teeth will loosen and can fall out on their own.

According to the Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Pathology and Surgery, periodontitis that occurs continuously is associated with anemia. That is why handling tartar is important to prevent the spread of disease outside the teeth.

Research from the Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology, concluded that the bacteria on the tartar that enter the gums and erode the supporting tissue of the body can spread to other organs such as the heart organ. In addition, other problems that can arise are bad breath (halitosis).

Bad breath due to tartar occurs because plaque is mixed with food scraps that are not brushed clean when brushing your teeth. As a result, decay occurs in the oral cavity.

Discolored teeth also often become dental problems due to tartar that is not cleaned properly. Tooth discoloration is usually the result of consuming foods and drinks that can change color, such as tea and coffee.

Smoking habits can also cause teeth to change color.

Home remedies

How do you prevent tartar?

You can only remove tartar on your teeth with a procedure scaling by a dentist. However, so that the corals are not getting more and more severe, you need to do a number of these methods at home to prevent it.

1. Brush your teeth regularly

Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes. Two minutes is the ideal time to get rid of plaque, dirt, and food debris that sticks to the surface of your teeth.

Use a soft brush that is small enough to fit between your teeth. Make sure all parts of your teeth are within reach when brushing your teeth. Therefore, first find out how to brush your teeth properly.

Also, don't brush your teeth immediately after eating. The reason is, food mixed with saliva causes the condition of the teeth and mouth to become acidic.

This can actually cause the protective layer (enamel) of the teeth to be easily eroded.

2. Choose the right toothpaste

There are tons of toothpaste products on the market. However, choosing toothpaste should not be arbitrary.

Make sure the toothpaste you use contains fluoride. The fluoride content in toothpaste will help protect teeth from decay and prevent loss.

3.Use dental floss (dental floss)

Toothbrush is sometimes difficult to reach the parts of the teeth, so that food can still get in your teeth. Therefore, flossing can be a good supporter in cleaning your teeth.

Dental floss can clean between or where the toothbrush cannot reach. When rubbing the floss between the gaps of the teeth, do so with care.

Friction that is too hard can actually injure the gums and cause them to bleed.

4. Gargle with mouthwash

Mouthwash is also a treatment that needs to be done to prevent tartar.

Make sure you use mouthwash that contains an antiseptic, to help kill germs in the mouth.

5. Take care of your diet

Your diet and food choices during this time can also be the cause of the appearance of tartar.

The more you eat sweet foods, the more bacteria or other germs will nest in your mouth. This is because sugar is the food most favored by bacteria. Therefore, you should avoid eating excessively sweet foods and drink lots of water after eating.

6. Stop smoking

The chemicals in cigarettes can fill your teeth with tartar. So, you better quit or avoid smoking right now.

Prevention

How do you prevent tartar?

You can prevent these oral problems from forming with a few easy things to do at home.

1. Brush your teeth regularly

Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes. Two minutes is the ideal time to get rid of plaque, dirt, and food debris that sticks to the surface of your teeth.

Use a brush that is soft and small enough to fit between your teeth. Make sure all parts of your teeth are within reach when brushing your teeth. Therefore, first find out how to brush your teeth properly.

Also, don't brush your teeth immediately after eating. The reason is, food mixed with saliva causes the condition of the teeth and mouth to become acidic.

This can cause the protective layer (enamel) of the teeth to be easily eroded.