Understanding the Impact of Calculus and Tartar on Dental Health

Dental health stands as a critical component of overall wellbeing. A healthy mouth guarantees both physical and psychological comfort by enabling essential functions such as eating and speaking and contributing to an individual’s confidence through a beautiful, clean smile. One cannot talk about dental health without understanding the impact of calculus and tartar, two common culprits behind a myriad of teeth and gum-related complications.

What is Calculus?

Calculus, also referred to as dental calculus, is a form of hardened dental plaque. It is essentially the accumulation of minerals from saliva and gingival crevicular fluid on plaque on the tooth surface. Once formed, it can complicate the oral hygiene routine because it sticks firmly to the tooth surface and can only be removed professionally in a dental clinic.

High plaque accumulation and poor oral hygiene are the leading causes of dental calculus. A surface free of plaque is less likely to encourage the formation of calculus. To effectively clean and prevent calculus, maintaining optimum oral hygiene through regular brushing and flossing is vital. Regular professional cleanings at the dentist’s office also help control calculus buildup.

What is Tartar?

Tartar, or dental tartar, is a hardened layer that forms on teeth when plaque is not thoroughly removed and mixes with minerals in saliva. Much like calculus, excessive buildup of tartar can lead to various dental problems such as tooth discoloration, tooth decay, and periodontal diseases.

Tartar often forms as a result of inconsistency and inefficiency in oral hygiene practices which leads to growth and hardening of plaque. To prevent tartar, diligent brushing and flossing twice a day, along with the use of anti-tartar toothpaste and mouthwashes, has proven effective.

Relationship between Calculus, Tartar and Plaque

Calculus, tartar, and plaque share an intrinsic relationship since their presence contributes to common objectives – dental deterioration and diseases. Let’s start with plaque. Dental plaque is a sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that continually forms on the tooth surface. Failure to remove this plaque leads to its hardening, subsequently forming calculus or tartar, depending on the level of mineral content in saliva.

Cleaning Plaque

Numerous techniques are in place to clean plaque. Brushing twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste is a basic effective method. Add interdental cleaning methods, such as dental floss or interdental brushes, to your routine to clean hard-to-reach areas. The incorporation of an antibacterial mouthwash can help fight plaque bacteria. However, poor cleaning procedures or habits may lend to incomplete removal of plaque, leading to calculus, tartar, cavities or gum diseases.

Cleaning Tartar

To clean tartar effectively, it is recommended to visit a dental professional. The process, known as scaling, involves using specialized instruments to scrape off tartar from the tooth surface.

Maintaining a strict oral hygiene regimen post scaling is necessary to prevent reformation. Failure to regularly remove tartar can cause gum disease and tooth loss.

Conclusion

Understanding the impact and relationship between calculus, tartar, and plaque is essential in maintaining an optimum level of oral hygiene. Equally as important is the ability of individuals to diligently observe good oral health practices to clean and prevent these dental culprits effectively. After all, the state of our mouth is an important indicator of our overall health.

At the CB Dental Centre, we remain at the forefront, ensuring you maintain a healthy and radiant smile. Your dental health is our priority — and the fight against plaque, calculus, and tartar is a key battle we are ready to win together with you. Remember, your mouth is the gateway to your body; keep it clean and healthy!