Dental
Talk Thursday | Calculus aka Tartar
Let's talk teeth!
For this week's Dental Talk Thursday we are going to be talking about calculus, no not the math kind, the "tartar" kind!
Calculus, aka tartar, is a
crusty yellow-whitish colored deposit that is hardened on the tooth surface. It
is filled with bacteria and can even trap and attract stains. Tatar is hardened
on the tooth so much that it can only be removed by a dental hygienist or
dentist. That’s right; don’t think that if you brush hard or long enough that
you will be able to get it off at home because you won’t.
I see a wide variety of
patients each day and everyone’s amount of calculus varies greatly. Each person
has a different susceptibility to building plaque and tartar on his/her teeth
as there are various contributing factors.
How does tartar form?
It all begins with plaque.
Plaque is a never ending battle because it is constantly forming. If plaque is
not completely removed within a timely manner the minerals in your saliva will
combine with the plaque to form crystals that harden into tartar. This process
can occur within 12-24 hours, sometimes less, hence why we recommend brushing
and flossing at least twice a day.
How is tartar removed?
While plaque can be removed
by thorough and frequent brushing and flossing at home, tartar can only be
removed by a dental hygienist or dentist. Your dentist or hygienist will use
sharp instruments or an ultrasonic scaler to scrape (scale) the tartar off of
the teeth above and below the gum line until it is completely removed. This creates
a smooth surface on the teeth which helps prevent plaque from adhering and more
tartar from forming.
Why is it important to
prevent tartar build up?
Tartar is unappealing, it
can cause an unpleasant odor, and it can become yellow or even brown as stains
accumulate. Tartar will attract even more plaque and encourage stain formation
on the teeth. As mentioned earlier, it is full of bacteria and it’s hardened
onto the tooth surface, doesn’t sound like a good combination does it? This can
contribute to tooth decay, bad breath and serious forms of gum disease.
-
Rachel Faul, Registered Dental Hygienist
*Stay
tuned for next weeks "Dental Talk Thursday" over at Facebook.com/RachelFaulFitness at
7:30pm EST
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