Dental Plaque – Causes and Treatment
Plaque on teeth is a sticky transparent film. It is formed on all teeth in all people due to the accumulation of bacteria. In order to prevent plaque from hardening, it must be systematically removed. Otherwise, a tartar buildup will form on the teeth, and this is already a serious problem.
Please read our blog or come to our clinic for a consultation. The specialists of the Denta Vita dental clinic will explain in detail the causes of tartar formation and can tell you about the best preventive and therapeutic measures.
Why is tartar removal necessary?
Accumulated on the teeth, tartar provokes the development of severe diseases like gingivitis, periodontitis, and others. It is possible to remove plaque on your own. However, you will not be able to remove tartar at home. Moreover, this problem can lead to an aesthetic defect (noticeable darkening of the enamel) or the loss of one or more teeth in the future.
According to statistics, dental plaque is diagnosed in 72% of people. Removing it from teeth is no longer a preventive, but a therapeutic measure.
Dentists recommend carrying out this procedure regularly: the frequency depends on the individual condition of the teeth. If tartar removal has not been carried on time, the procedure can take longer.
How is tartar formed?
The leading cause of tartar is poor oral hygiene. Patients may brush their teeth incorrectly or perform this procedure less than twice a day. Poorly selected dental and oral care products also result in plaque formation, which converts into tartar.
11 key causes of tartar formation:
- An extensive amount of simple carbohydrates, sugar, and sugary carbonated drinks in the diet.
- Problems with the gastrointestinal tract, which is a source of pathogenic microflora.
- Insufficient amount of solid food in the diet.
- Regular smoking.
- Alcohol consumption.
- Diet with insufficient amounts of nutrients.
- Long-term or frequent use of antibiotics.
- Side effects from certain medications.
- Decreased saliva production.
- Viscous saliva.
- The presence of a large number of dyes in the usual food.
Effective prevention and dental tartar removal
Proper tooth brushing
It is necessary to use a brush at an angle of 45 degrees to the junction of the teeth with the gums. You should make circular motions, and the mouth should be slightly open to clean each part of the jaw separately. Pay special attention to wisdom teeth – they are the least to clean and the first to suffer from tartar. Do not rush to clean. The duration of the procedure should take at least 2 minutes.
The importance of a toothbrush
Avoid large brushes – they cannot reach all areas in the mouth. It is an illusion that they speed up the cleaning process. In fact, they reduce the quality of the procedure.
If you choose between the degrees of hardness, then give preference to medium. It does not injure the gums, but with such a brush, cleaning teeth from plaque will be effective. Excellent addition to the brush will be the rubber side inserts.
Dental floss
The use of dental floss is an obligatory daily ritual. It is the only safe and effective method to clean the interdental space. However, toothpicks are traumatic for both teeth and gums. Any micro-damage on the enamel will only accelerate the appearance of tartar.
Toothpaste
The wide variety of effective toothpaste can be confusing for anyone. It is not easy to find a product that will meet all the oral cavity care requirements. Therefore, it is recommended to brush your teeth with a calcium-containing agent in the morning and with an anti-inflammatory toothpaste in the evening. Whitening products can aggravate the situation by increasing the sensitivity of the teeth and damaging the enamel.
Systematic rinses
You need to prevent the accumulation of bacteria that provoke dark plaque on the teeth and then convert into tartar. Therefore, after each meal or drink (especially coffee and tea), you need to rinse your teeth with a special elixir. If it is not at hand, rinsing with plain water will help remove leftover food.
Visit a dentist
Any preventive measures can delay the formation of tartar. However, to identify the problem on time, it is worth visiting the dentist twice a year, and, if necessary, come for the removal of tartar.
The Denta Vita clinic provides a wide range of dental services in Chisinau, including dental tartar removal. You can find more about the prices for procedures and other information you are interested in by calling the indicated contact numbers or coming for a consultation.