How to Take Care of Plaque and Tartar

Plaque and tartar are two common dental problems. People generally get confused between plaque and tartar and how they are related with one another. This article will tell you about how to recognize them and the necessary precautions that should be adopted to prevent them.

Plaque

It is a sticky and colourless bacterial deposit that constantly forms on the surface of tooth. This deposit collects on teeth at the point where gums and teeth meet. This deposit is a combination of food, fluids and saliva.

The formation of plaque traps stains on the surface of teeth. It is the main reason for gum diseases. Fighting plaque and preventing it from occurring in the future is the main and essential part of a good and hygienic dental care. Plaque may also cause cavities, which are responsible for teeth weakening.

Plaque starts forming on the surface of teeth after 4-12 hours of brushing. This is the reason that it is considered very important to brush twice a day. Daily flossing is also very important. It is mandatory to regularly brush your teeth; however it is not sufficient to ensure good oral care. Always make it a point to floss at least once a day. It ensures that even hard to reach areas of your teeth are cleaned properly. It also helps in the prevention of plaque.

Tartar

Tartar is also called calculus. It is a crusty deposit that traps stains on teeth and results in the discoloration of teeth. Crystals are formed on the teeth with the combination of phosphate and calcium. Plaque generally hardens these calcium phosphate crystals and results in tartar or calculus. There are certain chemicals that help in decreasing tartar build up such as pyrophosphates. It stops the formation of crystals on surface of teeth and prevents the formation of new crystals. A strong bond is created with tartar that can only be removed with the help of a good dental professional. Formation of tartar makes it difficult to remove plaque bacteria, further increasing the problems.

Prevention of plaque and tartar

The effect of plaque and tartar is different in different people. There is variance in the resistance and susceptibility of different people and so is the impact of tartar and plaque on them. Generally, the deposits of tartar and plaque build up fast as we age, which means we need to give more care to our dental care in old age. There are some ways that can help in protecting teeth from the build up of tartar and plaque. These are:

1. You should get your teeth cleaned professionally once every six months. It can be more frequent as per the advice of your dental care professional.
2. The toothpaste that you use should have pyrophosphate that adheres to surface of tooth and limits the growth and formation of calculus crystals.
3. When you brush with toothpaste containing sodium hexametaphosphate, a sort of pyrophosphate, it not only limits the formation of calculus crystals but also helps in loosening and breaking of bonds of the extrinsic strains. It whitens teeth and provides a protective barrier for the prevention of future strains.

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