Toothstone is a dental plaque deposited on teeth that consists of food residues, epithelium, mineral salts, protein and other components. In this article, we will try to understand why tartar is formed and how it can be removed.
How does tartar form and look like?
At the beginning of the formation of tartar soft, slightly pigmented, and later it becomes dense, acquires a brown, yellowish or grayish color. The explanation for this is as follows. Food remains left after eating are used by bacteria inhabiting the oral cavity for their vital functions - nutrition, reproduction, and the production of enzymes, through which they can tightly attach to the surface of the teeth.
Accumulating point-bacterial colonies gradually merge, forming a continuous layer of plaque, which, being at first a soft and removable toothbrush, is gradually mineralized by the settling of proteins and salts contained in the saliva. So tartar hardens, grows and changes color.
In children, tartar can acquire a greenish tinge, which is associated with the activity of bacteria containing chlorophyll. Having looked in the mirror on their teeth, many can mark on them dark spots from the inner and outer side, mainly near the gum (but not on the chewing surface), which is a dental stone.
A tartar can be supragingival (visible to the naked eye) and subgingival (visible with the help of special dental instruments).
Thus, the main reason for the formation of tartar is insufficient and irregular cleaning of the teeth and oral cavity. Dental calculus is also formed in people who are accustomed to chewing only on one side and eating mostly soft food (there is no natural cleansing). The process of metabolic disorders (especially saline) is another possible cause of stone deposition.
Symptoms of tartar
The main signs of tartar:
- persistent unpleasant odor from the mouth;
- inflammation and bleeding gums;
- increasing the length of the teeth;
- loosening of teeth.
Dental calculus affects the tissues surrounding the teeth, leading to their damage. In the absence of treatment of tartar, teeth gradually loosen and fall out.
Cleaning of tartar
Treatment of tartar is reduced to its removal, or cleaning , which is recommended 1 to 2 times a year. Dental stone is removed either by hand tools or by hardware methods. The most effective way is with ultrasound. This technique consists of three stages:
- removal of tartar;
- grinding of teeth;
- polishing teeth.
Sometimes, before the procedure, a special remedy for tartar is applied, allowing it to soften a little to facilitate removal. After the procedure, it is possible to apply a special protective composition to the tooth surface.
Many wondered if it was painful to remove tartar. The answer is this: everything depends on the individual pain threshold. Most people do not experience discomfort during the procedure, and if the patient has a high sensitivity to irritation, the cleaning is performed under local anesthesia.
Treating tartar with folk remedies
There are many folk remedies for tartar, but, unfortunately, none of them can cope effectively with this problem, and some "improvised remedies" can seriously damage the health of teeth. As dentists note, with small dental deposits in the home can only cope
Prophylaxis of tartar
Prevent the appearance of calculus is possible only with the careful observance of the rules of oral hygiene:
- Regular regular brushing with a high-quality toothbrush and toothpaste (including cleansing of the tongue).
- Use of dental floss to clean the interdental spaces.
- Compliance with hygiene outside the house (with the help of chewing gum).