Dental Calculus (Tartar): Origins, Manifestations, and Eradication

Tartar, medically known as dental calculus, is a hard, mineralized deposit that forms on your teeth as plaque hardens over time.

In essence, bacteria in your mouth feed on food particles, particularly sugars and starches, breaking them down into a sticky, acidic film called plaque. If this plaque is not consistently removed, it continues to accumulate and eventually calcifies into tartar. Untreated tartar can ultimately lead to tooth decay, resulting in cavities, decayed teeth, and other related dental problems.

While complete eradication of oral bacteria is impossible, you can significantly minimize their presence by maintaining a rigorous oral hygiene regimen. This includes regular brushing, flossing, rinsing with mouthwash, and professional dental cleanings.

Let's now examine the specific factors that lead to tartar buildup.

Insufficient Oral Hygiene

Poor oral hygiene creates an environment where bacteria thrive, rapidly accumulating into plaque and eventually hardening into tartar and forming cavities. The most effective strategy to prevent tartar buildup from becoming a significant issue is to consistently follow this routine:

• Brush your teeth twice daily with an electric toothbrush.
• Use a tartar-control toothpaste containing stannous fluoride.
• Floss at least once daily.
• Rinse with a gum-detoxifying mouthwash.

Diet

As previously noted, bacteria thrive on the sugars and starches in your diet, producing the plaque that adheres to your teeth. Foods that significantly contribute to plaque accumulation include:

• Sweets and candies
• Sodas
• Sugary juices
• Citrus fruits
• Starchy foods (such as potatoes and corn)

Dry Mouth

Saliva plays a crucial role in washing away food particles and bacteria, preventing them from adhering to your teeth. When salivary flow is insufficient, a condition known as dry mouth, plaque and tartar are more likely to accumulate. For comprehensive information on managing dry mouth and preventing dental calculus, refer to the Crest blog article: Dry Mouth: Causes, Remedies, and Treatments.

Tobacco Use

Any form of tobacco use can dry out your mouth, reducing your saliva's ability to remove food particles and control bacterial growth. Smoking, in particular, promotes the proliferation of harmful bacteria, making it easier for plaque to cling to your teeth and significantly increasing your risk of tooth decay, even with diligent oral hygiene.

If any of these contributing factors resonate with you, suggesting a susceptibility to tartar buildup, continue reading to learn about the common symptoms.

Once plaque has solidified into tartar, it becomes impossible to remove through regular brushing or flossing alone. The only effective method for tartar removal is a professional dental cleaning performed by a dentist or dental hygienist, who utilize specialized scaling instruments.

That being said, you can take several proactive steps at home to remove plaque before it hardens into tartar and to prevent further tartar accumulation and more significant issues.

• Brush Twice Daily
  The most effective strategy to prevent tartar buildup is to brush your teeth twice a day using an electric toothbrush and a tartar-control toothpaste.

• Floss Once Daily
  Daily flossing is another excellent way to dislodge plaque from between your teeth and prevent dental calculus formation.

• Rinse With an Antiseptic Mouthwash
  Mouth rinses offer an excellent way to reach those intricate nooks and crannies in your mouth that flossing and brushing might miss. A dentist-approved antiseptic mouthwash can help eliminate bacteria on tooth surfaces and freshen your breath.

• Limit Sugary and Starchy Foods
  Reducing your intake of sugary and starchy foods can help curb the "fuel" that accelerates plaque and tartar formation. Instead, adopt a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Also, ensure you drink plenty of water daily to maintain proper hydration.

• Visit Your Dentist Regularly
  To completely eliminate tartar—not just slow its accumulation—you must consult a dental professional for a cleaning using specialized tools. Attempting to scrape plaque away yourself, instead of relying on a dental professional, is detrimental to your teeth. In fact, you risk causing more damage if not done correctly. Allow professionals to remove tartar while you prioritize daily care through brushing and flossing.

Oral Health Essentials: Your Guide to A Healthy Smile

Common oral health issues include cavities and tooth decay, gum disease, staining, and sensitivity. The main culprit behind these is often plaque buildup, a sticky bacterial film that forms on teeth. By consistently following a complete oral care routine, you can preemptively tackle these issues, leading to a stronger, healthier smile:

• Start your routine with Crest Clean Breath Toothpaste. This stannous fluoride formula works around the clock, actively fighting the bacteria that cause cavities and bad breath, so you enjoy a long-lasting, fresh, and clean feeling.
• Rinse with Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash: Swish with an antibacterial mouthwash like Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash to eradicate plaque bacteria, help deter new plaque formation, support gum health, and leave your mouth feeling thoroughly clean and refreshed.
• Brush 2x/day with an Oral-B iO Electric Toothbrush: An electric toothbrush, such as an Oral-B iO, helps eliminate up to 100% more plaque than a conventional manual toothbrush. Its dentist-inspired round brush head effectively surrounds each tooth, adapting to the contours of teeth and gums to ensure a cleaner, healthier smile even in hard-to-reach areas.
• Use Floss: Daily flossing assists in dislodging plaque and debris from between teeth. Incorporating flossing into your routine can help remove any lingering food particles and plaque buildup, offering an additional layer of protection.