Dental News

How Bad is Tartar for Your Teeth? Get the Nitty Gritty on What Tartar Is and Why You Need Protection from It

October 16, 2020

How Bad is Tartar for Your Teeth? Get the Nitty Gritty on What Tartar Is and Why You Need Protection from It

There are many dental terms that you might hear on a regular basis but do not know what they mean. Today we will talk about tartar. What is it? Why is it bad? What happens if you do not take steps to get rid of it and / or to prevent it? Read on for all the answers and then contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 if it is time for your dental cleaning.

What is Tartar?

Put simply, it is a hard, calcified deposit that can form on a person’s teeth. It is also one of the leading causes of tooth decay. Once your teeth decay, they can end up with cavities, and damage to the enamel can be permanent and serious. If tartar is left completely unchecked, it can extend above and below the gum line and cause gum disease.

Tartar and Plaque Go Hand in Hand

It is common for people to wonder if plaque and tartar are the same thing. The short answer is that no, they are not. Tartar actually comes from plaque. Every time you eat, bacteria attack the food and debris left on your teeth. They produce a sticky substance known as plaque. In just a single day, it can harden and turn into tartar. Once you have tartar, it must be removed by a dental professional.

This is one of the many reasons that you need to visit your dentist yearly, and preferably twice yearly. While you can work to reduce the amount of tartar that forms on your teeth, there is no known way to prevent it altogether. That means that visiting your dentist is the only way to get rid of the tartar.

How to Prevent Excess Tartar and Plaque

While tartar can be removed only by a dental professional, you can work to reduce the amount of tartar they must remove. The biggest issue is to prevent plaque from building up, which involves brushing your teeth twice every day and flossing daily. You will want to take special care to clean out the area between your teeth and gums.

You can also prevent excess tartar from building up by not eating a lot of sugary or starchy foods. These types of foods are the ideal food for the bacteria that causes tartar and plaque. By reducing how much of these foods you eat, you can reduce the amount of plaque on your teeth.

Do you need to have your teeth cleaned by an experienced dental professional? Then we recommend you contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 now to find your closest dental office and make an appointment for a teeth cleaning and exam.

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