Which stone strengthens teeth. What causes tartar to appear and how to get rid of it? Mechanical method of treatment

More than ninety different types of pathogenic microbes choose the surface of tooth enamel as their habitat, reproduction and vital activity. After the completion of the life cycle, they die and remain on the surface of the tooth in the form of a characteristic plaque of calcareous dead cells. Since after each meal the enamel and interdental spaces are covered with food debris, which are not always thoroughly cleaned, all this, together with microbes, calcifies, turns into deposits that adhere tightly to the surface of the tooth, like calcareous deposits of shell rock to the underwater part of the ship. Those who are related to the marine business know how difficult it is to clean the bottom of any vessel from limestone growths. Approximately the same is obtained with enamel, to which tartar has grown.

What is dangerous tartar

Why not leave these germs alone? Let them form a raid. It is located on the inner side of the teeth, practically does not interfere with the chewing process and does not affect the functioning of the dentition in any way. It does not hurt teeth, on the contrary, it can be assumed that it is a kind of protection against mechanical damage. Absolutely wrong! Tartar directly contributes to the occurrence of caries and darkens the teeth by changing the natural color of the enamel. In addition, it causes inflammation of the gums, periodontal disease and other serious dental problems.

Important! Food plaque or hardened deposits from open areas can be removed with a brush and thread, or by chewing solid food. But in places where cleaning tools cannot reach, it must be removed in other ways.

If these lime-salt-microbial deposits are not removed in a timely manner, what can this lead to? Directly to loosening and loss of teeth from the gums. This will not happen instantly - the process will be done gradually, but in the end you can lose all your teeth.

Video about tartar

Best of all, as much as possible and for sure, tartar is removed by professional dentists, using modern devices and technologies, in a clinical setting. But the problem is, once removed, it grows back. For someone in a year, and for someone just a couple of months after cleaning.

That is why the question becomes more and more relevant: is it possible to remove tartar at home? The answer is yes. There are many different ways with varying degrees of effectiveness. Consider the most effective and fastest.

Options for home tartar removal

The ability to remove calculus on the teeth depends on its type and degree of hardening. Using a brush and special abrasive pastes, you can remove only fresh, not very hardened plaque, and in open places. In the same place where the brush does not reach, it mineralizes and hardens.

Table. Types of tartar

Variety	Description
	It is formed in areas where the salivary glands are located, from food debris, waste products of microbial organisms, saliva and calcium salts. At the initial stage of formation, it has a loose soft structure that does not adhere tightly to the enamel. It is localized on the inner side of the dentition above the gum tissue. It has a color from yellow-gray to light brown. Removed by home remedies.
	The lower teeth are covered with it from the inside, above the gum. This is a certain stage in the formation of deposits, when they are completely mineralized. It is solid to the touch, 100% adherence to the enamel. Color - from light brown to brown-black. It is difficult to cope with home methods, but some remedies, with regular use, can partially break down plaque.
	Deposits of stone inside, under the gum, are practically not loose. They harden too quickly. In addition, it is impossible to influence the subgingival area on your own, with the help of home tools. Therefore, it will not work to remove it at home - this can only be done in the clinic, using special tools and means.

Important! A fully mineralized stone, which has finally hardened and is localized in the interdental space or at the base of the tooth, under the gum tissue, cannot be removed at home.

It is possible to remove deposits on their own in the stage of partial mineralization, while they have a loose, not stony structure, and are above the gum tissue, in various ways.

Method one - a special brush

Two types of brushes, in addition to the usual devices for daily brushing of the teeth, are necessary to quickly deal with tartar in the stage of incomplete mineralization.

Method two - special paste

There are toothpastes with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, whitening effects. And there are abrasive pastes that loosen the stone and peel off the enamel due to mechanical action on the deposits.

In their composition:

abrasive components (fine solid particles that remove plaque);
degrading enzymes (bromelain, sometimes papain);
polydon and pyrophosphates (limescale leavening agents).

Such a paste cannot remove old deposits, but it can cope with semi-hardened deposits quickly, especially if the composition contains a high content of abrasive components.

Advice. If you use an electric brush with the maximum degree of functionality and a paste containing an abrasive, you can deal with the stone at home and in a short time. But there is a caveat - such pastes cannot be used daily. An electric toothbrush with regular toothpaste can be used every time you brush your teeth.

Method three - black radish juice

It works on the principle of action of acids, but the radish does not have enough own acid, so the product is used in a mixture with lemon juice. Here the effect is abrasive-chemical. Lemon acid and radish bitterness break down plaque, then it is mechanically removed by chewing.

Grate the peeled radish. Add lemon juice.

Chew the resulting salad thoroughly, trying to use the entire tooth area. Spit out the rest. The procedure is carried out after evening cleaning.

Important! Never remove the stone yourself with any sharp or cutting tools. This can lead to injury, after which the tooth will not be restored.

Method four - soda

It will help break down semi-hardened plaque if mixed with peroxide and lemon juice. The proportions are as follows: 5 g, 10 drops, 3 drops. No need to brush. After the usual cleaning, apply the composition to the places where the stone has formed, hold for two minutes and rinse your mouth. Do not carry out the procedure more than twice a week.

Method five - rinsing

Rinse with decoctions that break down plaque can be periodically used as a preventive measure. To remove already formed deposits, use decoctions:

Method six - citrus fruits

Citrus juices, especially lemon and grapefruit, can dissolve semi-hardened plaque. In addition to helping to remove tartar, they will also have a whitening effect and remove germs. Eating more citrus fruits or periodically brushing the inside and outside of your teeth with a slice of lemon or grapefruit is a good way to reduce calculus.

Video: 10 Natural Ways to Remove Tartar

How to choose a toothbrush

The surest way to avoid tartar is to prevent its formation. This means enhanced lifelong oral hygiene, not just brushing your teeth. The object that you will use for cleaning - a toothbrush, must be chosen carefully and correctly. There are several criteria that should preferably be met, especially if you have a predisposition to excessive accumulation of deposits on the teeth and their rapid hardening.

The brush should be small. It allows you to get deep, to the maximum surface area. It will lengthen the cleaning time (what you need) and carry out the procedure more thoroughly.
Rigidity is a parameter that needs to be adjusted if you decide to take up the prevention of tartar. The medium is selected, the bristles are rounded.
Very effective brush with rubber inserts. It increases the mechanical effect on the enamel surface. For calculus-prone teeth, this is an additional cleaning.
Brush with a massager - rubber "fingers" along the edges. It stimulates blood circulation and prevents the formation of subgingival deposits.
And, of course, the electric brush, the two types of which are described above, is preferable to everyone else, despite its high cost.

Prevention of stone on the teeth

A prophylactic course is arranged every six months (if you smoke or consume pigmented foods in large quantities, every 4-4.5 months). You need to use a special abrasive paste, the RDA index of which is above 120. It is advisable to use an electric ultrasonic or rotating brush. Clean with an abrasive paste in the morning, along with the use of an anti-periodontitis agent. In the evening, use a fluoride paste for cleaning.

In parallel, use dental floss, rinse and chewing gum with calcium.

The course is 30 days. Then the usual prophylactic paste, thread and rinses remain. Once a week, you can maintain the state of cleanliness with an abrasive paste.

In addition to enhanced hygiene and preventive courses, it is necessary to use other means that prevent the appearance and growth of plaque. These include dental floss. Floss, a special floss for removing food debris between the teeth, is used not after brushing twice a day, but after each meal, even if it is abrasive natural cleaners such as carrots or apples.

Advice. Do not use wooden toothpicks instead of flossing. They are not as effective at all, and can damage enamel or gums.

Ordinary paste is used, even if there are no dental problems, alternately with other pastes that have a healing, antimicrobial, brightening or abrasive effect. Ordinary paste also needs to be changed every few months (as well as a brush).

Apply rinses. Rinse your mouth with toothpaste after every meal and after every cleansing.

Chew gum. It cleans the surface of the enamel quite effectively. You should not get carried away with the chewing process - 20 minutes after eating is enough. Sugar gums are more harmful than helpful, although they clean teeth just as well as non-sugar gums. Chew calcium gum three times a day for a quarter of an hour.

Visit the dentist twice a year and have your teeth cleaned at the clinic. Then the remaining time will be easier for you to keep the tooth surface clean, without tartar.

Tartar is a very unpleasant phenomenon that is familiar to most of us. Its formation is associated with many factors, such as poor oral hygiene, large crowding of teeth, features of the composition of saliva, and even features of the metabolism of the whole organism. In some people, tartar does not appear at all, others encounter it quite often, so they undergo treatment periodically.

Usually, tartar is localized in places where the excretory ducts of the salivary glands are located, and this is the surface of the central lower teeth from the side of the tongue and the surface of the upper molars from the side of the cheeks. Tartar is rarely visible from the outside, but the floor is felt with the tongue. If you notice discomfort, it's time to see a dentist. And we will help to deal with the questions of what this stone is, where it comes from and how it should be treated and prevented.

What is tartar

To understand the causes of the appearance of tartar, you need to understand what it is. In order for a stone to form, a material is needed for its construction, and such material is plaque.. What is dental plaque made of? Usually this is an accumulation of exfoliated epithelial cells and microorganisms that settle on them. These microorganisms produce acids that can damage teeth and lead to cavities.

Gradually accumulating, plaque hardens and acquires a characteristic dark color. This process occurs due to the fact that it contains a lot of calcium and iron salts. There is a process of accumulation and hardening in those places where the teeth usually do not clean themselves during eating and are poorly cleaned with a toothbrush.

The formation of a stone can occur over 4-6 months, this is not a matter of one day, and the sooner treatment begins, the easier it will be to correct the situation. After the tartar is formed, it will begin to spread, which takes another three to four months. Of course, all these figures are very approximate, as they depend on many variable factors. But in general, it can be concluded that the appearance and the formation of tartar requires at least six months, and often much more. This means that people who monitor the health of their teeth and regularly visit the dentist will be able to notice the problem in time and solve it.

In recent years, cases of diagnosing tartar, even in children and adolescents, have become very frequent. This is usually associated with the problem of smoking. But no less problem is malnutrition, as well as improper oral hygiene.

Reasons for the formation of tartar

As we have already said, in order for tartar to form, plaque is needed, which will remain on the tooth for a long period of time. It means that The main reason for the appearance of tartar is insufficient or improper brushing of the teeth. People often brush their teeth irregularly and do not change old brushes for new ones. In addition, it is necessary to remember about the individual characteristics of the body.

It is important to remember that even the newest and most expensive brush may not be able to handle plaque if it is too soft. That's why the brush should be hard enough to handle the buildup. Besides, some pastes do not have sufficient cleaning properties. Usually these are low-quality pastes, whose safety and effectiveness are not confirmed by health organizations, or simple fakes.

The reason for the formation of tartar can be improper chewing. For example, if a person constantly chews on one side. An incorrectly formulated diet can also accelerate the formation of tartar. If there is too much soft food in the diet, then the self-cleaning of the teeth is disturbed, which contributes to the formation of stones.

First of all, stones appear on the tooth necks, then on the root and finally on the crown of the tooth.. If the stone is left untreated for a long time, it can even spread to dental implants. Enhances the formation of stone smoking, metabolic disorders, antibiotic treatment and improper positioning of the teeth.

How to recognize tartar

The first symptom of tartar, which is easy to notice visually, is a dark rim around the tooth.. Usually it appears on the inside of the tooth and only then goes to its entire surface. This leads to bad breath and bleeding gums. Over time, damage to the gingival papillae occurs, which leads not only to aesthetic problems, but also to damage to the gums.

According to their characteristics and location, tartar can be divided into subgingival and supragingival. A supragingival stone can be detected even by a non-specialist, for example, during an independent examination of the oral cavity. But the final diagnosis can only be made by a dentist, so professional diagnosis in this situation is required. Such a stone is usually brown or yellow in color, quite hard.

subgingival stone may differ significantly. He much denser and harder and the color is much darker, in the darkest shades of brown, or even black-greenish. It adheres very tightly to the roots of the teeth, and only a professional and very thorough diagnosis using special tools can determine whether there is such a stone on the teeth. Such a stone can cause gingivitis. In addition, in this situation, the pathogenic microflora multiplies in the oral cavity much faster, which can cause the development of caries and periodontal disease.

Tartar treatment

There is nothing unusual or complicated about treating tartar, the most common way to treat tartar is to simply remove it. If you keep your teeth healthy and visit the dentist at least once or twice a year, then brushing your teeth during these visits will be enough. In just a few minutes, the doctor will clean the surface of the tooth and polish it, eliminating all the symptoms and signs of the stone.

Previously, doctors used special hooks to remove the stone. But such treatment is quite painful, so it gradually lost its popularity. Today, ultrasonic cleaning is more commonly used. This method allows you to clean the tooth without any injury. Modern nozzles for ultrasonic cleaning of the tooth do not even touch the surface of the tooth itself, but act on the principle of cavitation, with the help of a swirl of water. This procedure is the most effective and gentle. This method of cleaning the teeth is also useful in that it not only removes the stone, but also disinfects the surface of the oral cavity.

teeth can cope with a stone of any hardness without causing pain and without the slightest damage to the enamel or gums. Grinding and polishing of the tooth after its cleansing is carried out using special tools in the form of a paste. Despite the fact that the procedure itself is painless, some patients complain of discomfort during the procedure. Such patients are advised to use local anesthesia during cleaning and polishing of the tooth.

Prevention of tartar formation (Video)

There are many preventive measures that can prevent the appearance of tartar. Immediately after the removal of the stone for several days, it is recommended to refrain from eating food that contains dyes. But such a measure, rather, protects against staining of tooth enamel.

But to ensure the health of your teeth, you need to follow a few important tips:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing your teeth is the most important and most important prevention of tartar formation. During cleaning, plaque is removed from the surface of the teeth, which can eventually transform into tartar.
Every day before bed rinse your mouth with an antiseptic. This will help curb the growth of bacteria that contribute to the formation of tartar.
Toothbrush needs to be replaced every three months. In addition, it is important to keep it clean.
Every time after eating need to brush your teeth, you can use chewing gum without sugar.
Necessary get rid of all bad habits, which can lead to the formation of tartar, for example, quitting smoking, chewing tobacco.
Very important systematically consumed in hard foods, such as hard apples, corn, or carrots, which help clean the surface of the tooth from plaque.
Regular visits to the dentist once or twice a year will help not to start the process of formation of tartar and stop it in time.

Food debris, microbes, mucus and various microorganisms are the main building material for the formation of so-called dental plaques. In fact, this is the well-known plaque to us. It is very soft and easy to clean off with regular brushing. If you do not maintain oral hygiene, then plaque begins to harden. As a rule, this process continues for several months, after which a person develops tartar. Basically, deposits accumulate in those places where self-cleaning of teeth does not occur, since it is here that ideal conditions are formed for the reproduction of bacteria and the formation of tartar.

In people who have poor oral hygiene and do not brush their teeth, the amount of deposits increases with age, and this process begins even in childhood. Launched tartar covers the necks of the teeth and their roots, and in the absence of proper care, even goes to dentures.

Causes of tartar formation

Periodontists identify several factors that can trigger the appearance of tartar:

irregular brushing of teeth, non-compliance with oral hygiene;
the habit of chewing food on one side of the jaw;
brushing your teeth with cheap toothpastes of dubious quality;
the predominance of soft foods in the daily diet;
incorrectly placed fillings, congenital defects of the teeth;
salt imbalance in the body.

Types of tartar

Depending on the location of the deposits, specialists distinguish supragingival and subgingival tartar. The first is clearly visible when examining the oral cavity, is a white or yellowish mass, has a solid consistency. Removal of tartar above the gum is not particularly difficult and is performed in any dental clinic.

Subgingival calculus is very hard, dark brown or greenish gray in color. It fits snugly to the surface of the lower part of the tooth and is detected only when examined by a dentist using a special probe.

Signs of the appearance of tartar

First of all, you should be wary of those people who feel bad breath and suffer from bleeding gums. In order to verify the presence of tartar, you can perform a simple diagnostic procedure: take a cotton swab dipped in Lugol's solution and carefully wipe your teeth with it. Hardened deposits are clearly distinguished by their darker color. So you can identify supragingival tartar, but deposits can accumulate under the gum, so for any suspicions and adverse symptoms, it is best to immediately contact the dental clinic.

What is the purpose of tartar removal?

It should immediately be noted that tartar is an excellent breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria that contribute to the development of a number of inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity. In addition, hardened deposits are constantly increasing, descending deep into the tooth socket and eventually form a kind of "pockets" - voids where food remains accumulate and rot. As a result, the tooth loses its stability and may simply fall out of the hole. Add to that the unpleasant consequences of bad breath or bleeding gums, and you can see why dentists keep saying that tartar removal is absolutely necessary.

How do doctors remove tartar?

At home, it is almost impossible to produce high-quality tartar removal. Yes, soft plaque can be easily removed with a toothbrush, brushes or dental floss, but in the case of hardened deposits that have a very dense consistency, everything is different. Removal of tartar can only be carried out in specialized medical institutions, where specialists will conduct professional teeth cleaning. This procedure is not too fast, but it is very effective and painless.

As for the techniques used, as a rule, doctors use modern ultrasound preparations. With their help, the removal of tartar is carried out in the most gentle way and does not cause any discomfort to the patient. The principle of operation of such devices is based on the use of ultrasonic tips that vibrate at a very high frequency. Professional removal of tartar will allow a person to forget about problems with deposits for at least 2-3 months, after which the procedure will need to be repeated.

After cleaning with ultrasound, it is also desirable to polish the teeth and cover them with a special protective composition that prevents the growth of bacteria, the appearance of tartar and gives the teeth an attractive appearance.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

It is impossible to say with absolute certainty that a person who is used to carefully caring for the oral cavity has absolutely nothing to fear from the appearance of tartar. The factors that cause this unpleasant phenomenon lie not only in the quality and quantity of brushing your teeth.

There are still reasons that cannot be thrown off the scales in any way, with the possible risk of "clouding" the perfect snow-white smile with "dark elements" that have come from nowhere.

Dentists have perfectly studied the nature of the appearance of tartar and recommend a whole list of means for its prevention and treatment, the first and most important of which is to know the cause of formation in order to successfully fight and prevent development.

Physiological features

Most likely, every person knows the fact that the oral cavity is the most densely populated and busiest place in our body. The microclimate here is so comfortable that microorganisms do not stop actively multiplying and securing the positions of their colonies.

A few minutes after taking the morning bath procedures, when the breath is still fresh from the freshly used paste, the bacteria are already beginning the process of searching for the remnants of plaque to use it not only for reproduction, but also for the production of enzymes - enzymes that allow them to firmly fix on the surface of the teeth.

The peak of the activation of microorganisms falls on the period when at least 12 hours have passed after the next oral care.

The physiology of any living organism, including the human one, requires a mandatory intake of food, and microorganisms successfully use this feature for their own benefit.

After eating, a certain amount of food remains on the entire surface of the oral cavity, which is enough to support the vital activity of microorganisms.

First of all, bacteria use leftovers rich in protein and carbohydrates: crumbs of rolls, cookies, and the remains of various kinds of sweets stuck in the farthest corners. Since these are the most easily digestible elements, it is quite easy to process them.

Here is the simplest schematic diagram to show the period during which microorganisms are able to turn leftover food into tartar with insufficient hygiene:

One day of lack of oral care is fraught with a doubling of bacterial plaque.
Under the condition of further poor-quality brushing of the teeth, the soft microbial plaque gradually mineralizes (hardens), turning into unpleasant dark deposits.
Lime deposits are formed by the fusion of individual bacterial colonies, which in the first stage can still be stopped at home, paying more attention to the banal brushing procedure. When the microorganisms are not yet sufficiently fixed on the surface of the tooth, when the plaque is still soft and pliable, it is not difficult to get rid of it.
Crystallization of soft plaque takes only 7-10 days.
The final formation of tartar lasts about six months.

They favor the emergence of new colonies of microorganisms, which later transform into hardened plaque, violations of the chewing process (a person is used to chewing on one side) or chronic diseases of internal organs.

Disease of "uncleaned teeth"

Mineralized plaque can rightly be considered one of the most dangerous diseases of the oral cavity, even if it does not cause any discomfort other than aesthetic. Teeth in "mourning frames" are not a very pleasant sight for others, which can negatively affect all areas of life.

The reason for the emergence of such a dubious "decoration" is the lack of care, carried out in an eternal hurry and brushing your teeth for less than five minutes.

As well as such bad habits as:

smoking;
addiction to coffee;
constant snacking;
love for sweets and carbonated drinks;
alcohol consumption;
eating soft foods.

Factors in the appearance of dark plaques can be improperly selected brush and paste. If the brush is too soft, then even a long and diligent “eating” on the teeth will not help to save the oral cavity from bacteria, poor-quality paste gives the same negative result.

Improper nutrition

A diet consisting entirely of soups and soft foods- Another reason for the rapid formation of dental plaque.

The chewing process and self-cleaning of the enamel with the help of salivation are very important points in the process of active or passive plaque formation. Solid food - raw vegetables, fruits, wholemeal bread perfectly contribute to the activation of chewing, salivation and, as a result, significantly reduce the risk of plaque on the teeth, which eventually turns into stone.

Frequent snacks

They threaten not only the appearance of extra pounds, but also the final damage to the teeth. It is possible to fight possible deposits on their surface only through high-quality and timely care.

And how to organize oral cleaning without leaving the workplace? Only with chewing gum.

But this method is inefficient. When using chewing gum, a certain percentage of saliva is released into the cavity, this is certainly not enough, however, to perfectly clean all surfaces (teeth, tongue, gums) from food debris.

Chewing soft gum and chewing hard carrots are completely different levels of cleaning.

chronic diseases

Usually the appearance of a stone is associated with serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. But, by and large, the cause of its occurrence can be any disease of the internal organs, in the treatment of which antibiotics are prescribed.

The whole paradox of the situation with drugs containing antibiotics is that they treat one organ and cripple another. In the case of tartar, the frequent use of drugs containing antibiotics provokes its occurrence with its negative effect on the microflora of the oral cavity.

Metabolic disease

One of the characteristic features of the wrong exchange is increased levels of phosphorus and calcium in saliva. And if these minerals are “wound up” in large quantities in close proximity to the gums, then they will settle there.

This happens much faster than one might expect, since a disturbed metabolism favors the emergence of various diseases and inconsistencies in the body.

Love for fried

Many culinary addictions eventually turn to the detriment of a lover of a certain type of food. Mineral deposits around the gums in some cases may be of gastronomic origin and occur among fans of fried and fatty foods.

It does not matter what to give preference to: potatoes in a pan or a well-fried piece of meat, the result will be the same - the appearance of a stone.

Nutritional imbalance is also on the list of causes of subgingival or supragingival deposits.

Alcohol and smoking

If everything is clear with smoking (resins, which are found in abundance in any cigarettes, settle on the surface of the enamel together with smoke, provoking an unpleasant plaque), then alcohol, as a stone-forming factor, is not perceived by many at all.

However, alcoholic beverages contain acids that can destroy tooth enamel and create favorable conditions for the appearance of plaque and lime deposits.

Coffee

Adored by most of our fellow citizens, black coffee, as a result of its frequent use, becomes the number one enemy for a flawless white smile.

The drink creates a favorable environment for the occurrence of plaque, and even itself actively “shares” with the microorganisms of the oral cavity protein compounds, amino and organic acids that make up its composition.

malocclusion

Anomaly of the jaw system in most cases is a hereditary problem that threatens with many deviations, including the active development of tartar. With a displacement or underdevelopment of one of the jaws, a person is deprived of the opportunity to fully and correctly chew food.

This process is difficult and of poor quality, a lot of "under-chewing" gets stuck in the gum pockets, providing a wide field of action for stone-forming microorganisms.

As for hygienic care, it is quite problematic to clean the oral cavity in case of malocclusion, and insufficient cleaning is one of the main causes of dark plaques.

Age as a factor in the occurrence

For several decades, dental deposits have significantly “younger”. If earlier plaque appeared more often and hardened on the teeth of middle-aged people, now it is more and more a concern for young people.

Smoking at an early age and infatuation with alcohol allow the tendency to increase more and more actively. The appearance of the stone is also facilitated by the abundance of soft food, the so-called chewing laziness.

Why does it appear in children?

Anxiety is caused by the stability of the appearance of lime deposits on the teeth of children. The reasons in this case are:

hygienic illiteracy of parents, when the mother is not aware that oral care of the baby should begin with the appearance of the first tooth;
the craze for preschoolers sweets and soda, the use of these products in excessive quantities;
children over ten years old are a particular risk group, because at this age they want the forbidden fruit in the form of a cigarette. Many become heavy smokers, as they say, from a young age, while acquiring an unpleasant shade of yellowness on the teeth.

And the way out is simple

Whatever reasons you name, the main and capital one is still a banal lack of time or desire to properly care for the oral cavity.

Only because of this, as a result, one has to suffer, covering a far from snow-white smile from the environment or embarrassed by too close communication due to an unpleasant smell.

But the way out is as simple as an ordinary toothbrush - to brush your teeth correctly and efficiently.

Let's wrap up our article by watching the following video:

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The formation of tartar is associated with various factors contributing to this: poor oral hygiene, crowding of teeth, peculiarities of the composition of saliva and the metabolism of the whole organism. For some, the stone is formed already in adolescence, and someone is not familiar with it until old age. The formation of calculus is always preceded by the accumulation of plaque along the necks of the teeth. Its especially frequent localization is the location of the excretory ducts of the salivary glands: the lingual surface of the central lower teeth and the buccal surfaces of the upper molars.

Plaque

Plaque damages the teeth, contributing to the development of caries and other diseases.

Remains of food, microorganisms, their metabolic products settle on the surface of the teeth, and. Soft plaque has its own metabolism, independent of the whole organism, specific microflora (Streptococcus mutans), using food residues and saliva microelements. On the teeth, plaque is fixed with the help of physical and chemical reactions of interaction. To ensure their vital activity, microorganisms store carbohydrates (sugar) in the form of a depot for future use, which they use between meals. From the environment of the oral cavity, plaque is protected by a special film that does not allow saliva enzymes to act on it.

The negative role of acids produced by plaque microbes in the development of caries and periodontal diseases has been proven. When cleaning the teeth, there is a sharp improvement in the state of the oral cavity, a decrease in the intensity of caries. In different people, depending on the composition of saliva and metabolism, the aggressiveness of plaque has a different degree. But one of its properties is constant in all people - mineralization (seals) over time.

Reasons for the formation of tartar

The accumulation of soft plaque, residues of sticky foods rich in carbohydrates, on the surface of the teeth is only a predisposing factor. In the absence of high-quality cleaning of the teeth for several days, plaque forms a dental plaque (yellow-brown "rim" along the necks of the teeth), which has a denser structure and cannot always be removed with a conventional toothbrush. Constantly compacted due to microelements and minerals of saliva, the plaque gives rise to the growth of tartar. If a person's saliva contains an excess amount of minerals and salts, then the risk of a stone in him increases.

The viscosity of saliva also contributes to less physiological cleansing of the tooth surface. It increases with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, metabolic disorders, errors in the diet. The accumulation of food debris and the deposition of plaque contributes to the close position of the teeth, their crowding, poor-quality fillings or dentures, too soft a toothbrush. In any case, the initial stage of stone formation is the deposition of soft plaque in suitable places for this, the formation of dental plaque.

Types of tartar

Stone formation can be observed not only on the teeth, but also on the surface of insufficiently polished fillings and prostheses. Distinguish supra- and subgingival stone. The first type is formed due to the compaction of soft plaque. Minerals and organic substances coming from saliva contribute to its growth and thickening. The second type of stones belongs to the serum type, i.e., it is formed due to the proteins of blood plasma and gingival fluid. It is located under the gum in periodontal pockets. As the thickness of the subgingival calculus increases, it moves the gum further away from the root of the tooth and contributes to the deepening of the pockets. It is also compacted when minerals enter from saliva.

Tartar treatment, ways to remove it

A dentist will help you clean your teeth from plaque.

For high-quality cleaning of teeth from dense formations, it is necessary to use professional tools and tools, the procedure necessarily includes the following points:

thorough removal of supra- and subgingival deposits,
polishing the surfaces of the roots and crowns of teeth,
treatment of the surface of the teeth with fluoride preparations.

Polishing the roots involves the removal of stone residues from their surface and the exclusion of roughness and irregularities that contribute to the deposition of plaque. To remove stones, hand tools, ultrasonic devices, tools for contra-angles are used. Subgingival stones are removed with curettage spoons or ultrasound, when using which the gums and pockets are simultaneously washed with water or antiseptic solutions. After removing the stone, the surfaces of the teeth are polished with rubber heads and a special polishing paste. When hyperesthesia appears after professional cleaning, sodium fluoride solution or any agent for removing hyperesthesia is applied to sensitive areas, a sparing, non-irritating diet is recommended, oral hygiene products are selected, rinses are prescribed.

Prevention of stone formation

The main cause of calculus growth is plaque, which thickens after about 12 days if left uncleaned. Prevention of tartar deposition comes down to oral hygiene, regular visits to the dentist in order to identify initial formations in the form of a plaque. Features of nutrition, the quality of the brush used and the regularity of its replacement, the use of additional hygiene items - all these factors affect the rate of stone formation. Subjectively, they are defined as roughness on the gingival part of the teeth. When examining the dentition, stones stand out as yellow-brown rims along the necks of the teeth, they can be light with accelerated growth. Regular visits to the dentist can not only help maintain the right level of oral hygiene, but also prevent the development of or periodontitis, one of the causes of which is the formation of tartar.