Pleasanton Dentist - How to Remove and Prevent Tartar Buildup on Teeth - Smiles by Design in Livermore

How to remove and control tartar buildup on teeth

Tartar or calculus is plaque that hardens on teeth, just above the gum line or in between teeth gaps to form a brown solid. The solid changes color to gray or black in some people, when food particles accumulate on the solid deposit. Tartar buildup is not necessarily caused by poor dental hygiene; one common cause of tartar buildup is bleeding of the gums which might have other grounds like poor nutrition or infection of the gum line.

Tartar removal

There is no "safe" way to remove tartar buildup on teeth at home because one can easily hurt their gum, furthering the bleeding process. This can lead to a gum infection when bacteria from food bounds on to the wound. It is therefore not advisable to poke teeth with sharp objects in an attempt to remove the tartar. Physicians are only allowed to remove tartar buildup above the gum line; one technique they use to get rid of tartar is the scaling and polishing method. The advantage of using the scaling method is that it makes the gums firmer hence reducing risk of gum disease. It is important to have your physician remove tartar as soon as possible because studies show that pathogens can easily infiltrate into the blood stream from an infected tooth, leading to conditions like kidney disease. After you've had the tartar removed you can now be concerned about how to prevent further buildup.

Ways to prevent tartar buildup

Eat hard fruits and vegetables

Hard foods like carrots make the gum line firmer hence reducing the risk of bleeding in gums. These foods also promote healthy teeth because they do not stick on after consumption; in fact they aid in scraping off some of the soft carbohydrates that might have accumulated on teeth. So eating a hard fruit after a main meal is advisable.

Eat sour/acidic fruits

Acidic juices from fruits like lime and lemons are natural bleaching agents, so they keep teeth whiter when consumed regularly but not excessively. The acid also reacts with some of the foods that buildup on teeth hence preventing plaque or tartar buildup. Eat acidic fruits sparingly because when consumed in excess they can corrode the enamel.

Floss teeth at least twice a week.

Tartar buildup is prevalent in some individuals who brush their teeth everyday because the toothbrush does not always reach the gaps in between the teeth. Frequent flossing gets rid of food particles between the teeth hence reducing tartar buildup in teeth. When flossing, avoid abrading the gum because it might lead to bleeding.

Have your teeth checked at least twice in a year

Many people don't pay visits to the dentist's due to lack of health insurance; dental checkups can be expensive. Saving some money for dental checkups at least twice a year is worthwhile because you do not want to lose all your teeth by age 50. Teeth weaken and fall off the gum line after excessive tartar accumulation

Cut down on smoking cigarettes

The tar from cigarettes accumulates on teeth leading to yellowing and tartar buildup. This could be your motivation to quit smoking.

Brush teeth frequently and consistently

I had bleeding gums in my teenage years. I realized that the bleeding would surge whenever I didn't brush my teeth on time; even thirty minutes late. Frequent and consistent brushing is recommended to stop bleeding of gums; hence preventing tartar buildup from blood accumulation. The type of toothbrush one uses can also injure the gums leading to bleeding. You may want to invest in a quality toothbrush, and replace it every 3 months to reduce risks of gum diseases like gingivitis.

Chew food properly to reduce tartar build up on teeth

Tartar buildup in gums at the back of the mouth is common because of improper chewing of food. The food that's hard to swallow accumulates in hard-to-rich places in the mouth; hence leading to tooth decay and tartar buildup.

After you've had calculus removed from your teeth; it is much easier to prevent further buildup of tartar on the teeth because there will be no rough surface for the food particles and minerals to hold onto.

source: http://voices.yahoo.com/how-remove-prevent-tartar-buildup-teeth-6234854.html?cat=70

by Isabelle Lee

 

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