How to remove tartar from teeth? 5 tips

The accumulation of plaque on the teeth can become a real health problem.

A person's smile is one of the gestures that we usually notice the most in a positive sense, being an expression usually of joy, affection or illusion before a situation or person. In it, one of the elements that stand out the most are the teeth. And in a world where physical appearance is highly valued and desired, taking care of them is essential.

But they are not only important in this sense; in fact, their main function is to allow us to grind food in such a way that we can ingest it. The act of eating brings a large amount of bacteria into our mouths.which if not removed through good hygiene can generate tartar. In addition to being unsightly, it can be dangerous for the dentition, so it is advisable to remove it.

How to remove tartar? Let's see some ways to do it or at least to reduce it in this article.

What is tartar and why does it appear?

It is known as tartar, tartar or dental calculus to the hardened and calcified accumulation of bacterial plaque in our dentition, which is directly observable as a yellowish, whitish, whitish mass. yellowish, whitish or brownish mass located on the enamel of the tooth and around its junction with the gum.. It is formed by the accumulation of salts such as calcium and phosphorus together with the bacteria present in our teeth and those that come from food, generally in those areas that are difficult to access such as between the teeth.

Tartar is annoying and visually unpleasant, but beyond that and if not removed, it is also the gateway to a variety of dental problems. it is also the gateway to a wide variety of dental problems, as bacterial colonies can form on its surface or in the areas it leaves behind.It can form colonies of bacteria on its surface or in the areas it leaves behind once it is removed. Among them we can find the dreaded periodontitis or pyorrhea, which can end with the fall of teeth, bleeding, bad breath or the emergence of cavities.

Tartar can appear for multiple reasons. The most common is the presence of poor dental hygiene, either because it is not carried out or because it does not include all the areas where food debris can end up (for example, not everyone cleans in the space between the teeth). But it should also be taken into account that the consumption of certain foods and substances (e.g. coffee or tobacco), the suffering from diseases such as Diabetes or some drugs have an important influence on its possible appearance.

Removing tartar from our mouth: how to remove it?

As we have seen, the fact of having tartar is negative and can facilitate the arrival of various problems. That is why it is necessary to remove or eliminate it. In this sense, among the various options that can be taken to reduce the levels of tartar, we find the following.

1. Regular and thorough brushing

The first and most obvious step is to regaining or initiating basic dental hygiene habits.. In this sense, the first thing to do is to brush your teeth after every meal, regularly and habitually. It is important that a thorough cleaning is performed regularly. Toothpastes containing fluoride are recommended.

2. Dental floss

As we have seen before, many people do not clean the space between the teeth because the toothbrush itself does not reach there. the toothbrush itself does not reach there.. These areas are a very important nest of bacteria if nothing is done, and dental floss can be used to avoid this.

3. Mouthwash

A third general step in removing or preventing tartar is to use mouth rinses, which allow the particles of tartar and dirt to be washed away from the teeth and in most cases act as an antiseptic agent. This makes it more difficult for tartar to appear.

It should be borne in mind that their use does not imply that the teeth should not be brushed, but that it is something complementary..

4. Dental cleaning

The above steps are useful in preventing the appearance of tartar or treating its existence in its origins, although later and once a hardening has occurred, it will be necessary to apply other measures. In fact one of the only ones that can allow the removal of tartar from all oral areas and regardless of its hardness and age is dental cleaning, ie, by a dentist or odontologist..

Among the interventions performed in this sense, the procedure known as tartrectomy or tartar removal is usually used. It uses techniques such as scaling, which can be coronal or radicular and which seeks to remove the visible tartar on the teeth or that which forms on the inside of the gum. It is recommended to be done once every six months or a year.

5. Home alternatives that can help to reduce it

In addition to all of the above, there are methods traditionally used to try to remove dental plaque and tartar, although in essence their action is mainly focused on the use of the ability to scrape and remove tartar as if we were brushing. However, these alternatives should be used as a complement, not as a substitute.

Among these alternatives, one of the best known is the use of bicarbonate of soda, which is useful to whiten the teeth.which is useful for whitening and eliminating harmful elements such as dental calculus. In this sense, it is important to keep in mind that it can be positive for such actions, but it also contributes to destroy the image. Also eating an apple or fruit, especially if it is with its skin, helps to drag the dirt.

Bibliographical references:

• Jin, Y; Yip, H. K. (2002). "Supragingival calculus: formation and control". Critical Reviews in Oral Biology and Medicine. 13 (5): 426 - 441.
• Westfelt, Elisabeth (1996). "Rationale of mechanical plaque control". Journal of Clinical Perioontology. 23 (3): 263 - 267.