If your dentist says you have tartar, it means that you have let plaque build up on your teeth and harden. It can be above or below the gum line and offers a perfect place for more bacteria to grow, as well as making it more difficult to brush and floss, which in turn leads to cavaties and decay.
The most damaging place for tartar to form is above your gum line, as the bacteria irritates and damages the gums, leading to gum disease or periodontitis, something which is not only bad for your teeth, but also has links to other health complications such as heart disease.
In order to stop tartar from forming, you need to keep your mouth clean, so bacteria do not grow and form plaque. Brushing regularly, drinking plenty of water, chewing sugar free gum between meals and flossing will help to remove plaque and control tartar buildup. If you are prone to tartar, try a special tartar controlling toothpaste and consider using an electric toothbrush, as these have been shown to be more effective at removing the plaque, which becomes the tartar.
If you already have tartar, then your dentist will need to remove it, as brushing and flossing alone can’t get rid of it. We professionally clean your teeth, using a scale and polish procedure and special equipment to remove plaque and tartar build up. We start with using an ultrasound device which loosens large area of tartar and washes it away, once we’ve done this, we will use small hand tools to scrape away smaller deposits and then give your teeth a lovely polish to leave them feeling smooth and looking really clean and shiny.
By ensuring you have a good oral hygiene routine and having your teeth cleaned professionally twice a year by a dentist, you can stop tartar buildup from causing problems and protect your teeth. This is part of preventative dentistry, which stops problems developing, so you don’t have to suffer from toothache, bleeding gums and major dental procedures. Prevention really is better than cure! Find out more about preventative dentistry on our blog, or come in for a checkup, clean and discussion on how we can protect your teeth.
