What is tartar?
Tartar usually takes on a yellowish color, although color variations ranging from white to dark gray are not rare. The color it assumes depends on the substances with which it comes into contact; cigarette smoke, for example, tends to darken it with serious aesthetic damage as well as healthy.
Two types of tartar can be distinguished, the one found on the outer surface of the teeth and the one that dwells within the gum and periodontal pockets. This last type of tartaric deposits is the most dangerous because it is related to dental and gum diseases such as paradontitis.
How is it formed?
When we eat the food residues that remain in the oral cavity are attacked by bacteria; in particular on the surface of the teeth a thin colorless patina is deposited, given by the set of bacteria and food residues.
If this plaque is not completely removed by normal oral hygiene operations in 12-18 hours, it calcifies to produce the first tartar deposits. The bacterial plaque is in fact able to associate with calcareous salts and phosphates contained in saliva, forming a hard and particularly adhesive concretion. The chemical composition and pH of saliva are therefore two of the main factors that predispose the subject to dental tartar.
It is no coincidence that the larger deposits are more easily found at the salivary glands present on the buccal surface of the upper molars and on the lingual surface of the lower incisors.
In other words, the tartar is comparable to the incrustations that remain attached to the pots after cooking.
If the pans are washed in the dishwasher within a few minutes, the cleaning action of detergent and high pressure water (toothbrush) can effectively remove food residues (bacterial plaque). On the other hand, if the pans remain dirty for a long time, the incrustations dry out and solidify more and more, making the degreasing action of the dishwasher ineffective. Only a hand wash ("dental cleaning") with specific sponges (the tools of the dentist) will be able to eliminate the most stubborn incrustations.
As we have seen in the introductory part, the deposits of tartar can affect only the outer surface of the teeth or, in the most serious cases, penetrate inside the gingiva and periodontal pockets.
The periodontal pockets are alterations of the normal gingival sulcus, that is of that small space existing between teeth and gums (1-3 mm).
The bacteria that settle in the dental plaque or in the tartar produce residues that ignite the gum tissue.
The gum reacts to the bacterial attack by swelling and gradually tends to detach itself more and more from the tooth, increasing the gingival sulcus to form a real pocket in which the over 400 different types of bacteria present in the oral cavity can penetrate undisturbed.
Particular pathogenic microorganisms capable of living even in the absence of oxygen thus begin to proliferate within the periodontal pocket causing serious damage to the tooth's supporting structures.
Initially the disease is characterized by symptoms such as increased tooth mobility, gingival bleeding and widespread pain, then at a later stage leads to the final fall of the tooth. In some cases the infection can migrate into the bloodstream also involving other tissues or organs.
Prevent the formation of tartar
It would be enough to think for a moment about the potential aesthetic, economic and psychological damages deriving from premature loss of teeth, to immediately realize the fundamental role of prevention.
Obviously the hygiene rules to follow are the same that are recommended for all other dental and gum diseases.
In the article "caries and oral hygiene" all the main rules to follow daily to protect one's teeth from external aggressions are amply illustrated.
In addition to an accurate daily cleaning, it is very important to undergo periodic checkups to be carried out every 6-12 months depending on the individual predisposition.
To learn more, consult the articles
- brush
- dental floss
- mouthwash
- pipe cleaner
- detartarasi (professional dental cleaning)
Eliminate the already formed tartar
The removal of tartar or scaling is done manually or using the innovative ultrasound method. Polishing of the teeth is often associated with this operation, which further reduces the risk of gum inflammation.
It is generally recommended to undergo removal once every 6-18 months depending on the rate of deposit of tartar.
