What Is Tartar Buildup?

What Is Tartar Buildup?

Many people ask the question “What is tartar buildup?” Gum disease and tooth decay are the result of plaque on teeth, which becomes tartar if not removed by flossing and brushing. Tartar can cause prolonged gum inflammation, also known as gingivitis, which can cause serious gum disease. Preventing the increase of tartar and having regular professional teeth cleaning is vital for good dental health.

Plaque is a colorless, sticky substance containing sugars and bacteria, which start to increase in four hours after brushing. It mostly gathers around the grooves on teeth, edges of fillings, and just under and along gum lines. When the plaque is not removed through flossing or brushed with effective ingredients, it starts to toughen and calcifies into tartar. Another term for tartar is calculus.

Tartar and plaque both have acids, which cause tooth decay through eating away the teeth’s enamel surface. Tartar absorbs more plaque because it is stickier than your teeth and also increases the surface area where plaque can develop. More harmful bacteria can start forming in the tartar, producing toxins that can lead to gingivitis. Gingivitis can cause periodontitis, where the toxins weaken the connective tissue and bones supporting teeth. This can lead to loose teeth and bone loss.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) find gum disease as the main reason why many adult lose their tooth. The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) supports that people who have serious gum disease are almost twice as likely to have cardiovascular disease because of the stress caused by constant inflammation in the body.

Tartar is also a cosmetic problem. It is light to dark yellow in color, which appears visible when it arises outside the gums. Moreover, tartar is more absorbent than teeth, so it can easily absorb stains, producing problems to those people who always smoke or drink tea or coffee.

Brushing the teeth twice a day using gel toothpaste, which has a tartar control ingredient, will help remove plaque and residue, and stops plaque from turning into tartar. It is also helpful if you use an electric rotation oscillation toothbrush. Many dentists recommend this type of toothbrush because it can get under your gum line and eliminate plaque there.

Fluoride is very significant as well. After the manufacturers of toothpaste began to add fluoride as one of the ingredients to their products in the late 1950s, users achieved big improvement in their fights against cavities, which was further supported by people including fluoride in the water supply.