How to prevent tartar buildup at home

Tartar is a hardened layer formed when food debris and bacteria accumulate on teeth and calcify over time. The bacteria in tartar can cause gum disease, so it must be removed from tooth surfaces.

Careful attention to oral hygiene is essential to prevent tartar formation. To remove existing tartar, professional dental scaling by a dentist is necessary at regular intervals. If tartar is not cleaned and allowed to accumulate, it can lead to problems as severe as tooth loss. This is because tartar gradually builds up and migrates toward the root areas of teeth, causing erosion of the bone tissue surrounding the roots. When the bone that protects and supports the tooth diminishes, the tooth begins to loosen, and as a result of this destructive process, you may need to have the tooth extracted.

Dentists use various instruments to remove tartar from tooth surfaces. Specially designed hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers are typically used in combination for this procedure. Afterward, thorough polishing is performed to restore the tooth surface to its natural smooth state, leaving no surface prone to plaque accumulation.

Professional expertise, proper conditions, and appropriate instruments are required for tartar removal. There is little that can be done at home to remove tartar. Attempting to scrape off tartar using various tools is neither hygienic nor effective. Additionally, such attempts can irritate the gums and damage tooth enamel.

Although there is nothing you can do at home to remove tartar, there is much you can do to prevent or slow its formation. First, teeth should be brushed thoroughly at least twice daily for an adequate duration using a fluoride toothpaste and a medium-bristle toothbrush. During brushing, make sure all tooth surfaces are cleaned. Pay special attention to the surfaces of teeth facing the tongue. Traditional toothbrushes may not be adequate for cleaning the back surfaces of lower front teeth. Electric toothbrushes can be helpful for cleaning these areas.

Dental floss should be used to clean between teeth. Attention should be paid to tongue cleaning. Using mouthwash at regular intervals is also beneficial. If you use cigarettes or tobacco products, quitting helps reduce the risk of tartar formation. Additionally, consuming solid foods like fresh vegetables and fruits contributes to natural cleaning of teeth.

If tartar formation cannot be prevented, you should definitely visit a dentist for a checkup every six months. Oral health can be maintained with a dental scaling procedure that typically takes 25 to 30 minutes, usually requires no local anesthesia, and is often completed in a single session. Hot and cold sensitivity may occur after the procedure. There is no problem with using pain relievers. If there are no blood pressure issues, gargling with salt water is recommended to help the gums recover more quickly.