
Tartar cleaning is the process of removing plaque that accumulates and hardens on the surface of teeth. Plaque is a sticky layer formed by bacteria in the mouth that use carbohydrates from food. Over time, this plaque hardens with mineral buildup and forms tartar. Tartar can appear yellowish or brown on the tooth enamel and is a cause of gum diseases (such as gingivitis and periodontitis).
Tartar Cleaning: Why Is It Important for Your Oral Health?
Tartar is the mineral buildup formed from plaque that accumulates and hardens on the teeth over time. Tartar is one of the main causes of gum diseases and tooth decay. Therefore, regular tartar cleaning is a critical part of maintaining your overall oral health.
What Are the Benefits of Tartar Cleaning?
Tartar cleaning has many benefits, which can be listed as follows:
- Protection of Teeth and Gum Health: Tartar is a significant cause of gum diseases (such as gingivitis and periodontitis). Regular tartar cleaning helps maintain the health of your gums and teeth, thus preventing gum diseases and tooth loss.
- Prevention of Bad Breath: Tartar can create an area where bacteria that cause bad breath accumulate. Cleaning tartar reduces bacterial buildup, resulting in fresher breath.
- Prevention of Gum Recession and Tooth Loss: Tartar can damage the gums, leading to gum recession and potentially causing tooth loss. Regular cleaning helps prevent these issues.
- Whiter Teeth: Tartar can cause brown or yellow stains on the surface of teeth. Cleaning tartar helps restore the natural whiteness of your teeth and gives you a more aesthetic smile.
- Improvement of Oral Hygiene: Cleaning tartar contributes to better overall oral hygiene. Regular tartar cleaning reduces plaque buildup, helping prevent tooth decay and other oral diseases.
These benefits highlight the importance of regular tartar cleaning. Tartar formation can vary from person to person, so it’s important to work with your dentist to create a tartar cleaning schedule tailored to your needs. At Başakşehir Orthodontics, our expert team and over 20 years of experience can help you schedule an appointment with our specialists at any time.
Tartar Formation and Causes
Tartar forms when the plaque, a bacterial layer that accumulates on the surface of teeth, hardens over time. The primary cause of tartar formation is inadequate oral hygiene and the failure to clean plaque regularly. Here are the main causes that trigger tartar formation:
- Plague Accumulation: Bacteria in the mouth use carbohydrates like glucose and sugar from the food we eat to produce acid. This acid weakens the tooth enamel and forms a sticky layer known as plaque. Plaque accumulates on the teeth’s surface and hardens over time to form tartar.
- Inadequate Oral Hygiene: Poor oral hygiene habits such as infrequent brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash lead to increased plaque buildup and, consequently, tartar formation. Neglecting to brush and floss can lead to plaque buildup between the teeth and along the gum line.
- Dietary Habits: Frequent consumption of sugary and starchy foods promotes acid production by bacteria, encouraging plaque formation. Additionally, excessive consumption of acidic drinks can weaken tooth enamel, further increasing plaque formation.
- Tobacco Products: Smoking or using tobacco products disrupts the balance of bacteria in the mouth and increases the risk of gum disease. This can accelerate plaque formation and provide a foundation for tartar buildup.
- Tooth Anatomy and Structure: Irregularly shaped teeth can make it easier for plaque to accumulate between teeth. A decrease in saliva flow or changes in the composition of saliva can also affect tartar formation.
With the influence of one or more of these factors, plaque accumulation increases and hardens over time to form tartar. Therefore, the importance of regular oral hygiene habits and periodic dental checkups is crucial. At Başakşehir Orthodontics, our expert team and over 20 years of experience can help you schedule an appointment with our specialists at any time.
How to Do Teeth Tartar Cleaning?
Teeth tartar cleaning involves a series of methods used to remove plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth. Here’s the answer to the question of how teeth tartar cleaning is done:
- Professional Teeth Tartar Cleaning: The most effective teeth tartar cleaning method is the professional dental cleaning done in the dentist’s office. During this procedure, the dentist or dental hygienist uses special tools to remove the plaque and tartar accumulated on the teeth. These tools are usually ultrasonic devices or special scrapers. Professional teeth tartar cleaning is typically done once a year or every six months during a routine dental check-up.
- At-Home Teeth Tartar Cleaning: Between professional cleanings, regular tooth brushing, flossing, and gargling with mouthwash are at-home cleaning methods. These methods help reduce plaque buildup on the teeth and can prevent tartar formation. However, if tartar has already formed, it may be difficult to completely clean it at home.
- Teeth Tartar Preventive Products: Using products like toothpaste and mouthwashes that prevent tartar formation can help prevent tartar buildup. These products often contain ingredients like fluoride that help reduce plaque buildup and strengthen tooth enamel.
- Balanced Diet: Adopting a healthy and balanced diet is essential for maintaining oral health. Reducing the consumption of sugary and starchy foods can help reduce plaque formation on the teeth, and thus tartar formation.
- Dental Care Recommendations: Regular use of products recommended by your dentist, such as toothbrushes, floss, and mouthwash, can help prevent tartar buildup. It’s also important to not neglect the periodic check-ups recommended by your dentist.
The combination of these methods can help prevent tartar formation and maintain oral health. However, if tartar has already formed or professional cleaning is needed, it’s important to consult a dentist. At Başakşehir Orthodontics Oral and Dental Health Clinic, with our expert team and over 20 years of experience, we can arrange your specialist appointment anytime.
Professional Teeth Tartar Cleaning: Why Is It Necessary and How Is It Done?
Professional teeth tartar cleaning is typically done in your dentist’s or dental hygienist’s office. The procedure is carried out by a trained health professional who has the necessary equipment for these types of cleanings. Here are the steps generally followed in professional teeth tartar cleaning:
- Examination and Assessment: The dentist or dental hygienist will perform an examination to assess the plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth. This examination can be done visually or with intraoral scanners. With an intraoral scanner, your teeth can be scanned 360 degrees, allowing for the detection of even the tiniest cavities.
- Ultrasonic Device Cleaning: The dentist or dental hygienist will use an ultrasonic device to spray a cleaning solution on your teeth. This solution softens and dissolves the plaque and tartar. Then, using the ultrasonic tool, the surfaces of your teeth and the pockets of your gums are cleaned. The device uses high-frequency vibrations to break down and remove tartar and plaque buildup.
- Hand Tools Cleaning: In some cases, the dentist or dental hygienist may use hand tools to clean the surfaces of the teeth. These tools are typically scrapers or special dental cleaning instruments. Hand tools are used to reach more sensitive areas of the teeth and remove finer layers of plaque.
- Polishing Application: During the teeth tartar cleaning procedure, polishing is performed to smooth and shine the surfaces of the teeth. This step is the final phase of the cleaning process and helps your teeth achieve a cleaner, brighter, and more aesthetic appearance.
- Brushing and Flossing: The professional teeth tartar cleaning procedure is usually completed by brushing your teeth and using dental floss. The dentist or dental hygienist will recommend that you properly brush the cleaned tooth surfaces and clean the spaces between your teeth with floss.
- Mouthwash Gargling: The procedure typically ends with gargling using a mouthwash. This helps clean the gums and oral tissues and reduces bacterial buildup.
Professional teeth tartar cleaning is generally painless, but you may experience mild discomfort in some sensitive areas. Your dentist or dental hygienist will assist you during the procedure based on your needs and comfort. Additionally, you will receive aftercare advice for maintaining your oral health after the professional cleaning.
At-Home Teeth Tartar Cleaning: Effective Methods
At-home teeth tartar cleaning is essential for regularly maintaining oral health. However, when performing at-home teeth tartar cleaning, it is crucial to be cautious and use the right techniques. Here are effective methods for at-home teeth tartar cleaning:
- Regular Tooth Brushing: Brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably in the morning and at night, with the toothbrush and fluoride-containing toothpaste recommended by your dentist. Brushing your teeth helps reduce plaque buildup and prevent tartar formation.
- Flossing: Regularly use dental floss to clean the areas between your teeth and remove plaque and food particles. Flossing ensures cleanliness between your teeth and reduces plaque buildup.
- Teeth Tartar Cleaning Tools: You can use special tartar cleaning tools designed for teeth. These tools help you reach the back parts of your teeth and the gum line.
- Using Mouthwash: Use a fluoride-containing mouthwash to support your oral hygiene. Mouthwash reduces the bacterial content in your mouth, reducing plaque buildup and preventing tartar formation.
- Natural Cleaning Methods: Some natural methods can also aid in teeth tartar cleaning. For example, gently rubbing your teeth with natural substances like lemon juice or baking soda can help. However, be cautious when using these methods, as they can be abrasive and may damage tooth enamel.
- Regular Dental Check-ups: The most effective tartar cleaning is done during professional cleanings in the dentist’s office. Therefore, don’t forget to visit your dentist for regular check-ups. Your dentist can detect tartar buildup and other oral health issues and take necessary precautions.
These methods are effective and safe for at-home teeth tartar cleaning. However, if you have significant tartar buildup or other oral health concerns, it’s crucial to consult a dentist. At Başakşehir Orthodontics Oral and Dental Health Clinic, with our expert team and over 20 years of experience, we can arrange your specialist appointment anytime.
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For more information about tartar cleaning, tartar removal, professional teeth cleaning, and dental health services at Başakşehir Ortodonti, you can contact our expert team. Take the first step towards a healthy and bright smile!