How to Remove Tartar from Teeth
The only way to remove tartar is to visit the dentist.
When it comes to your oral health, plaque bacteria are of course a major threat. These bacteria adhere to teeth, feeding on food debris and producing acid that can erode tooth enamel and cause cavities. Plaque can be controlled pretty easily simply by maintaining good oral hygiene including daily brushing and flossing.
But if you do not brush and floss enough, the layer of plaque can attract minerals, harden, and become tartar. This is a big problem for your teeth.
First of all, you may notice that tartar is ugly. In some cases you may actually be able to see this layer of mineral buildup along the gum line, especially if the tartar picks up a yellow or brown stain—as this porous material is prone to do.
Secondly, tartar can create serious problems for your teeth and gum health. Because tartar has a rough surface, it provides an even more attractive environment for plaque bacteria, which means more acid and more damage to your enamel. Plus, any tartar underneath the gum line can cause irritation, making gum disease symptoms worse. One final problem is that the accumulation of tartar in between teeth can make flossing difficult and less effective in cleaning teeth.
Despite what you may have read elsewhere online, there is really only one truly effective and reliable way to remove tartar:
Visit your Dentist
Once plaque has turned into tartar, it must be scraped off with special dental tools. Only a trained dentist or dental hygienist can remove it without risk of damage to your enamel or your gums. It is a good idea to get a dental cleaning at least once per year in order to make sure tartar is kept under control.
Preventing Tartar Buildup at Home
While tartar can’t be removed at home, once you have had your tartar professionally removed at a dental cleaning, there are a few things you can do to keep it from returning.
Brush Better: A thorough brushing is necessary to remove plaque and keep it from turning into tartar. Brushing for at least 2 minutes twice per day should be sufficient.
Use a Tartar-Control Toothpaste: Some toothpastes are specifically formulated to fight plaque and tartar. Be sure whichever one you choose carries an ADA seal of approval as this seal is the only guarantee that the product actually delivers what the label promises.
Floss Daily: Tartar buildup often starts in the spaces between teeth and along the gum line the exact places that won’t get cleaned properly unless you floss.
Quit Smoking: Studies have shown a correlation between smoking and tartar development. Smoking will certainly make your tartar more noticeable by staining it.
Need a Dental Cleaning?
If you are worried about tartar, or if it has just been a while since your last dental cleaning, please contact one of our clinic locations to make an appointment.
