Plaque and tartar (or calculus) often creates chaos in the minds of the people. Both of these are common dental problems, which are formed near the baseline of your teeth by the action of bacteria on the food that you have taken as a meal. Tartar is usually caused if you neglect plaque formation in your teeth.
Dentists usually describe plaque as film formation which may be colorless, pale yellow or sometimes having white coloured deposits which occur on your teeth. This film gets stick to the teeth and can be removed easily, if you brush and floss your teeth regularly. However, if you do not follow a good oral care routine, this film stays on your teeth and gets hardened resulting in occurance of tartar.
How plaque and tartar are formed?
Plaque is a film made from leftover food particles and saliva that mix in your mouth. When saliva, sugars in food and fluids combine with plaque, it produces bacteria deposits that release acids, which collect where the teeth and gums meet. When you eat, the bacteria in plaque use the sugars in your food to produce acids that eat away the tooth enamel. This may result in cavity formation in your teeth.
The main cause for this problem is lack of oral hygiene. It is the root cause for many oral problems. Thus, if it is not removed periodically, it calcifies into an off-white or yellow substance called tartar, which can only by removed by a dental treatment. Dentists use special tools to remove them. Tartar can make it difficult for you to brush and floss your teeth.
Any tartar formation above or below your gum line can damage your gums and might lead to gum disease called gingivitis. In severe cases, a pocket is formed between the gums and teeth which may seriously affect your bones beneath the teeth. Some researchers have also revealed in their studies that if you are suffering from the severe gum disease caused by bacteria, it enhances the probability of you becoming a heart patient too.
So be alert! Book an appointment with us, we are always ready to provide you the optimal care according to your preferences and needs.
