Why Do Dental Calculi Form? What is tartar?
When observing your teeth in the mirror, you may notice small spots and deposits that are not very aesthetic, especially near the gums. Despite good dental hygiene, it is possible that you will have a lot of difficulty destroying them.
In this case, you may be one of those who are prone to developing too much tartar. This dental disease, which can cause more serious problems, deserves to be known and carefully treated.
What is tartar?
Tartar is caused by the calcification process of dental plaque. The latter usually develops when food scraps and many naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth are not well destroyed by brushing your teeth.
The accumulation of residue, bacteria and proteins found in saliva then forms a kind of film that accumulates on the teeth. If this is not eliminated quickly, it will develop to form dental plaque, a whitish substance that can be the cause of various periodontal disorders, in addition to decorating the teeth with not very disgusting stains. Dental plaque can even grow under the gums.
Tartar is a solid deposit that can appear on the teeth or under the gums when dental plaque is not treated quickly and becomes mineralized. This process can start very quickly; after dental plaque forms, it can turn into tartar in just a few days!
Tartar can manifest itself on the teeth, but also under the gums, where it is not visible, but it is still equally harmful. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing, and to get rid of it, we must resort to a proper descaling at a professional.
Why do some people develop more tartar?
Spitting
There are people who are more prone to developing dental tartar problems than others. Some factors are caused by lifestyle habits, while others, unfortunately, are biological and therefore more difficult to control. Indeed, the composition of your saliva can predispose you to dental plaque and tartar.
Enamel and dentition
The fact of having poorly enameled teeth, or even poorly positioned teeth, will also be related to the appearance of these emotions. If you have one or the other of these problems, there's not much you can do except redouble your efforts when it's time to check the other variables.
Endocrine system
Some other medical conditions also promote the development of plaque, as they disrupt the endocrine system. A few, such as pregnancy or puberty, are temporary. Others, such as diabetes, are long-term conditions.
Dental hygiene
People who neglect dental hygiene are clearly more prone to developing a tartar problem. Indeed, brushing remains the best way to prevent the formation of dental plaque and, therefore, prevent the appearance of tartar
Bad habits
Tobacco consumption and frequent ingestion of sweet foods stimulate the appearance of dental plaque. Coffee, black tea and other food items containing dyes are also recommended to be avoided.
Scale
Finally, know that tartar attracts tartar! If your teeth are already affected by this problem, they offer a more fertile ground for the development of dental plaque, which can turn into tartar.