The main causes of dental calculus. The most effective ways to get rid of dental deposits at home. Typical mistakes and prevention rules.
Tartar is a hardened plaque that occurs a couple of hours after a meal, which mineralizes under the influence of saliva components if not completely removed. Causes bad breath and impairs smile aesthetics. In the early stages of formation, loose tartar is quite possible to remove on its own.
What is tartar?
Tartar on the photo
Tartar is a hardened plaque that occurs within 2-3 hours after eating. Consists of food debris, mucosal epithelium, in which bacteria rapidly multiply (streptococci, anaerobic bacilli). If the rough film is not removed in time, calcium salts will begin to accumulate in it under the influence of saliva, which will lead to hardening of the plaque already on the second or third day.
Being impregnated with pigments contained in food and beverages, the tartar darkens under the influence of cigarette smoke and thereby impairs the aesthetics of a smile. The largest deposits are visible to the naked eye.
Tartar is the cause of bad breath, which is clearly felt by the interlocutor. It also causes darkening and yellowing of the teeth, which leads to the development of psychological complexes, not to mention more serious consequences.
Deposits on teeth have a loose structure with many pores in which bacteria grow rapidly. Pathogenic microflora negatively affects the tooth enamel, makes it softer, which subsequently leads to the formation of microcracks on the surface of the teeth and caries as a result of contact with solid food.
If you do not remove tartar, it begins to press on the gum, which also threatens trouble. For example, bleeding or inflammation may occur.
Important! If the tartar is loose, porous, that is, it has just begun to form, you can remove it on your own. However, if the deposits have had time to finally harden, the amateur performance can end in failure, the flesh before the loss of a tooth!
The main causes of calculus
Tartar is formed if the unpleasant rough plaque that appears after eating is not promptly removed. It is not for nothing that parents teach their child to brush their teeth regularly from childhood. Insufficient oral hygiene threatens the accumulation of food debris on the enamel, which leads to the rapid multiplication of bacteria and the formation of a loose film, which hardens after 2-3 days.
It provokes the occurrence of tartar and unhealthy diet. When eating harmful products, the gastrointestinal tract does not cope with its functions, which causes the development of pathogenic microflora and the formation of plaque, and then tartar. In addition, carbohydrates, sugar, sweets, carbonated drinks containing synthetic dyes, coffee, tea provoke the rapid reproduction of microbes.
Eating foods that are too soft can also lead to tartar formation. Such food does not put any load on the teeth, which leads to the accumulation of plaque on the enamel. Therefore, the constant inclusion of solid foods in the diet is recommended. It is also important to chew food on both sides.
Another cause of dental calculus is genetic predisposition. If this tendency is transmitted to a person at the genetic level, he will constantly suffer from deposits on the teeth, despite regular oral care and the use of high-quality toothpaste.
The causes of deposits can be associated with an incorrect structure of the dentition, a distorted shape of the teeth, the minimum distance between them, which complicates high-quality daily cleaning. Therefore, it is important to use dental floss to maintain oral hygiene.
Tartar formation is also caused by:
- alcoholic beverages that create an acidic environment that is detrimental to enamel, change its color, remove calcium from the body, which is necessary for teeth;
- smoking, causing increased hardening and yellowing of the plaque;
- antibiotics and other drugs that, together with harmful bacteria, kill and useful ones, provoking dysbiosis and the accumulation of microorganisms on the teeth;
- diseases of internal organs, endocrine disorders, which increase the multiplication of bacteria in the oral cavity;
- using an improperly selected toothbrush that does not remove plaque well.
Note! Another cause of tartar is increased salivation. The rate of formation of deposits is influenced by the chemical composition of saliva.
How to remove tartar on your own?
If the teeth have changed shade, when the tongue is drawn over them, roughness and irregularities are felt, an unpleasant odor appears, we are talking about tartar. The sooner you start removing it, the more chances you will be able to handle it on your own.
Improvised tartar remedies
In the photo, soda for home scaling
It is possible to remove deposits on the teeth at home if they are loose, that is, when the process of their formation has just begun. Prepare a medium-hard brush and one of the following products of your choice.
The most effective ways to remove tartar are:
- Salt … To get rid of mineral deposits, teeth are brushed 2 times a day for 3-5 minutes. After 2 weeks of use, the frequency is reduced to 3 times a week, during the fourth week, table salt is again used 2 times a day. The next month, sessions are carried out only once a week. For the procedure, use a brush of medium hardness, pre-moistened with water, on which salt is poured. The result of cleaning tartar is noticeable after 1-2 months of regular procedures.
- Hydrogen peroxide … To soften plaque, make lotions from a 3% solution. Subsequently, it is easy to remove it with a simple brush, without using toothpaste. To increase the effectiveness of the procedure, peroxide is mixed with baking soda in a ratio of 1: 3 and the resulting mixture is rubbed into the enamel for a couple of minutes, after which the mouth should be rinsed. You can also prepare a tooth mask by mixing 20 drops of peroxide, 5 drops of lemon juice, 1 tbsp. baking soda. You can use hydrogen peroxide from tartar no more than 1 time per week.
- Baking soda … To remove deposits on the enamel, baking soda is used instead of toothpaste once a week. Apply a little to a toothbrush dampened with water and brush your teeth thoroughly, paying particular attention to problem areas. Also, before getting rid of tartar with soda, you can dilute it with water to a gruel state and add salt in a 1 to 1 ratio. Brush your teeth carefully, as the product is abrasive.
- Honey … Together with other procedures, it is recommended to rinse the oral cavity with a solution of honey - 1 tbsp. in a glass of warm water. The procedures are carried out daily. The course of using the bee product is 1 month.
- Black radish … Removing tartar at home is combined with the use of a vegetable that must be chewed for 5 minutes, after which they must brush their teeth. To achieve the best effect, the radish should be crushed to a pulp state and lemon juice should be added to it. The compress is applied to problem areas and kept for 5 minutes, then brush your teeth.
- Tea tree oil … Dip a cotton swab in the product and lubricate your teeth. Apply once a day instead of toothpaste. The tool allows you to remove deposits and lighten the enamel along the way, but it is important to take into account that, together with good cleaning properties, it has an inherent aggressive effect, it must be used carefully. Fir oil is used as an alternative.
- Ash … It is recommended to dilute in water to a gruel state and use it instead of toothpaste. However, it is important to take into account that ash is alkaline and can burn mucous membranes. Therefore, such a remedy for tartar should be used with extreme caution.
- Orange peels … They contain antibacterial agents that are effective against plaque and tartar. To remove deposits, you need to regularly wipe your teeth 2 times a week with the inside of an orange peel for a couple of minutes. After the procedure, be sure to rinse your mouth with water.
Note! A solution of hydrogen peroxide - 5 ml of the product per 100 ml of warm water, which is used to rinse the mouth, will help get rid of deposits on the teeth. In addition, it has a disinfectant effect and kills harmful bacteria, thereby preventing the formation of new plaque.
Medicinal plants for dental calculus
In the photo, an infusion of celandine from tartar
Sesame seeds will help to remove tartar effortlessly if it is fresh and porous. They are recommended to be consumed daily for 1 tablespoon, chewing thoroughly as long as possible to cleanse and polish the teeth.
Effective medicinal plants against dental calculus:
- Celandine … To make a mouthwash, brew 1 tbsp. dry raw materials in a glass of boiling water. Leave the liquid to infuse for half an hour. Strain through cheesecloth before using. To get rid of tartar at home, it is recommended to rinse your mouth every night.
- Horsetail … Copes well with hard plaque and removes tartar at home. To do this, dry raw materials must be crushed into powder and 2 tbsp. pour 200 ml of boiling water. The container is insulated and left to infuse the liquid. After cooling, filter the broth and rinse the mouth using 1/2 cup of the product for 3-5 minutes. The procedures are carried out 2 times a day.
- Walnut bark … To prepare the infusion, pour 2 tablespoons. raw materials with a glass of cold water and boil for 15 minutes. The resulting product is used to rinse the mouth against tartar several times a week.
- Beans and burdock root … To prepare the solution, pour equal amounts of burdock root and bean pods with water in cold water and boil for 2 hours. After the indicated time, strain the infusion and use it to rinse your mouth and neutralize the harm of tartar 4 times a day. For oral administration, a tincture is prepared: mix the peel of the beans and the root of the burdock in a ratio of 1 to 1 and pour a glass of boiling water, after 12 hours the liquid is filtered and drunk 3 times.
- Aloe vera gel … You can only use a natural product that does not contain water and additional additives, such as glycerin. Combination of aloe vera gel with 1 tbsp is considered effective against tartar. soda and a few drops of lemon juice. You should brush your teeth with this mixture once a day for 3 days, then you must take a break.
Toothpastes for tartar
Whitening toothpastes can help remove tartar at home. They contain many abrasive particles that effectively deal with dental deposits and components that slow down the hardening of plaque.
When choosing a tooth tartar paste, study its ingredients:
- Calcium carbonate … This is a substance that works to cleanse the enamel. However, it is important to take into account that when combined with fluorides, the effect comes to naught.
- Pyrophosphates and zinc … The components of the toothpaste slow down the mineralization of plaque, and their action is also aimed at preventing the growth of microbes.
- Papain, bromelain … Plant enzymes soften tartar, making it much easier to remove.
- Fluorides, fluorine … They strengthen the enamel and protect against caries, but their dosage should not exceed 0.6%. Otherwise, the action of these substances can be dangerous.
When choosing an anti-tartar toothpaste, consider the RDA, which indicates the level of abrasive particles in the product. To remove plaque, this figure must exceed 100 units.
The most effective against plaque are multicomponent pastes containing softening components - diatomite, silicon dioxide. PresiDENT White and Lacalut brands have proven themselves well. Use this toothpaste daily to remove tartar.
Common mistakes when removing tartar at home
First of all, it is important to understand that it is not always possible to remove tartar at home. It will be quite easy to soften loose deposits, but in advanced cases, when the plaque has hardened, you cannot do without the help of a professional.
Before you start home removal of tartar, pay attention to the following points:
- Acidic and alkaline agents destroy the enamel. They must not be abused.
- It is highly undesirable to use special scrapers. They can only be used by professionals.
- It is forbidden to try to split the stone, as a result of any inaccurate movement, the tooth can be damaged.
- Do not clean deposits under the gum! This is the prerogative of the doctor. Otherwise, infection and inflammation can be provoked.
Prevention of tartar
To prevent the formation of mineral deposits, it is important to brush your teeth properly. First, do it regularly - at least 2 times a day. Secondly, each procedure should last at least 3 minutes. Thirdly, it is worth carefully removing plaque, if it already exists, because later it will thicken, turning into tartar.
The brush should be changed every 3-4 months. It must be completely clean. Store it upright without a cap to prevent the growth of pathogens. If you use an electric brush, remember to change the brush heads periodically.
It is recommended to use sugar-free gum after meals. You can chew it for no longer than 15 minutes.
Use an antiseptic mouthwash before bed to stop bacteria from growing. At night, you should use dental floss to help remove plaque from between your teeth and a tongue scraper.
It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle, because bad habits provoke the formation of deposits on the tooth enamel. First of all, this applies to alcoholic beverages and smoking.
Fast carbohydrates are also harmful - sugar, sweets, caramel, desserts, white bread, confectionery. If you like sugary drinks, it is better to drink them through a straw to avoid contact with the enamel surface.
For the prevention of tartar, introduce solid foods into the diet that contribute to the mechanical cleaning of teeth from accumulated plaque. These include fiber-rich raw apples, carrots, celery, corn. It is important to rinse your mouth with plain water after eating.
Of great importance is a regular examination by the dentist 2 times a year, which allows you to identify existing problems and immediately begin to eliminate them.
How to get rid of tartar - watch the video:
