Use your toothbrush regularly to remove plaque, which hardens over time and turns into dental calculus aka tartar. Tartar is a hardened form of plaque that can build up on your teeth & below the gum line; if it is not removed from time to time, more serious dental issues could happen. This makes it important for those in Sacramento with access to a variety of dental offerings to understand what the root cause of tartar is, how it forms, and strategies for preventing and treating this dental problem by family dentist in Pocket-Greenhaven, Sacramento
What is Dental Calculus?
Dental calculus, commonly called tartar, is a hardened plaque mineralization that develops when dental plaque hardens and calcifies after being left on the teeth for too long due to improper or inefficient brushing and flossing. Plaque is a clear, sticky film of bacteria that naturally forms around teeth and gums after eating. Plaque hardens and is transformed into tartar.
How does dental calculus form?
Plaque buildup on the teeth is the first step in producing dental calculus. Saliva, food particles, and bacteria combine to produce plaque, which is the result of oral bacteria interacting with starchy or sugary diets. If you don’t consistently brush and floss, this plaque can build up on your teeth and gums.
Plaque starts to turn into tartar if it is not eliminated. Your saliva’s minerals react with the plaque to cause it to calcify. Tartar can accumulate above and below the gum line, and because of its abrasive surface, additional plaque can stick to it over time, thickening the coating of tartar.
Different factors can elevate the risk for tartar formation in Sacramento, which has varied dietary and lifestyle choices. Specifically, poor oral hygiene habits and a diet rich in sugars & simple carbohydrate intake are believed to be risk factors for the incidence of cavities as well as smoking history and failure to visit dentists.
The Influence of Dental Calculus On Oral Health
Dental calculus may have serious consequences on oral health if it is not treated early. Some of the common problems linked to tartar formation are listed below:
1. Gum Disease (Gingivitis and Periodontitis): Both gingivitis, the infection of irritated gums by plaque forming between your teeth and film burning below it reaches tartar formation at high. Untreated gingivitis can advance into periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease that causes the gums to recede and may cause teeth loss as well as destruction of oral bones.
2. Acids: Plaque and tarter can produce acids that in turn erode tooth enamel which will cause cavities. Plaque buildup becomes tartar which can make it more challenging to brush all areas of the tooth appropriately, this leaves you at a higher risk for decay.
3. Halitosis: As the bacteria in tartar release sulfur compounds, this tinny and stinky substance will be circulated throughout your mouth making it hard to get rid of foul breath.
4. Cosmetic Variables: The yellowish or perhaps dark brown coloring of tartar could cause unsightly stains for the teeth. This can impact your smile and the way you look as a whole, making yourself aware of those teeth.
One of the most common dental issues that is easily preventable yet quite severe is dental calculus. Oral care measures that prevent tartar include brushing, eating right and seeing your dentist on a routine basis. With Sacramento being serviced by top-quality dental care, dealing with calculus is paramount for you to keep your smile in great shape. Get started on caring for your teeth today, so that tartar does not develop and only easier-to-manage dental problems show up down the road.
