Dental News

Plaque, Tartar, and How to Prevent Them

April 7, 2017

Plaque, Tartar, and How to Prevent Them

There are two words that most people have heard but often don’t know the meaning of: Plaque and tartar. Even those who do have a general idea of what each world means often don’t understand how they’re related to one another – or how to prevent and control them. Read on to learn more about their dental definitions and then contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to set up a dental exam and cleaning.

What is plaque?

Plaque has no color but is sticky. It’s essentially a deposit of bacteria and it is forming all the time on the surface of your teeth. When your saliva, fluids you drink, and foods you eat combine, they create plaque deposits that can then collect on your teeth, right where your teeth meet your gums. When plaque builds up, it can stain your teeth and plaque is one of the primary causes of gum disease.

Brushing helps reduce plaque but it can start forming on your teeth as early as four hours after you brush. This is why it’s not enough to brush once a day. At California Dental Group, we recommend that you brush at least twice a day and floss once.

What is tartar?

Also known as calculus, tartar is a crusty substance. It also creates deposits that can trap stains on your teeth and it can lead to discolored teeth. When calcium and phosphate get together, they bind to create crystals on your teeth. These crystals, known as calcium phosphate, will harden over time within plaque. The result is calculus, or tartar.

Pyrophosphates, which are a type of chemical that can reduce calculus buildup, can be helpful but the only way to get rid of tartar is to visit a dentist. Tartar bonds very strongly to the teeth and can make it harder to remove plaque as well. As a result, regular appointments with your dental professional are important.

Tips to help prevent plaque and tartar

Not everyone is as susceptible to plaque and tartar as others are. For some people, the older we get, the more these deposits build up, which means that as we age, we must more closely monitor our dental routine. That said, no matter your age, there are some steps that can be followed to help ensure your teeth are protected from excessive buildup of plaque and tartar.

First of all, make sure you have your teeth cleaned by a dental office every six months at a minimum. Some people require more frequent professional cleanings. When you visit California Dental Group, we can go over your options with you. We also recommend that you use a toothpaste that includes pyrophosphate, which includes most brands specifically formulated to fight tartar. This pyrophosphate will adhere to the surface of your teeth and can help prevent calculus crystals from forming.

Finally, make sure that your toothpaste also includes sodium hexametaphosphate. This is a specific type of pyrophosphate that is designed not only to prevent calculus but to help break up and loosen the bonds that stains have made. This can help whiten your teeth and form a protective barrier that can prevent future stains.

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