Can You Brush Away Tartar
By
Dr Shivam Jha
This blog post will address the question, “can you brush away tartar” and cover topics like what tartar is, toothbrushing to prevent tartar, when and how often should you brush your teeth to prevent tartar buildup, when is the best time to brush my teeth to prevent tartar buildup, which toothbrush is more beneficial in preventing tartar buildup: manual or electric toothbrush, things to consider to keep away tartar and about some key differences between plaque and tartar.
Can You Brush Away Tartar
No, tartar once formed cannot be removed by just brushing. Dental cleaning by your dental hygienist or dentist will be required for tartar removal.
Dental cleaning can help in removing the plaque and tartar and thus prevent decay or gum disease or periodontal disease of any type.
Tartar: What Is It?
Tartar is a calcified plaque on your teeth that forms when plaque is left undisturbed for about a day.
Tartar once formed, teeth become yellow and more prone to bacterial attack and decay and other periodontal diseases.
Once tartar is formed, it becomes difficult to brush and floss it away and also oral hygiene deteriorates leading to cavities and tooth decay.
Tartar that forms above the gum line irritates the gums and may progress to gingivitis and other periodontal diseases.
Toothbrushing To Prevent Tartar Formation
Tartar forms when plaque is left undisturbed due to infrequent toothbrushing. To prevent tartar formation, you must prevent plaque accumulation by regular toothbrushing.
Here is how you can brush your teeth with the correct technique to avoid plaque and tartar buildup:
- Use a small amount of water to lubricate your brush.
- Put a small, pea-size amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush head.
- At about a 45-degree angle to your gums , place the toothbrush into your mouth
- Use gentle, short strokes to brush your front teeth.
- Brush the outside surfaces as well as the back molars and upper areas of your chewing surfaces.
- Brush the inside surfaces of both top and bottom front teeth by flipping your toothbrush upside down.
- Brush your tongue to get rid of any bacteria or plaque.
- Spit out the remnants of toothpaste, saliva, and water into a clean sink.
- Rinse your mouth with cold water and you are done.
When and how often should you brush your teeth to prevent tartar buildup?
It is recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time with a toothpaste containing fluoride.
It is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day, once in the morning, just after waking up and once at night, just before going to bed.
You must also clean your teeth and gums, each time after you have food but not with a toothbrush. Simple rinse with water is considered good for overall oral health and hygiene.
While considering when to brush your teeth, you must keep in mind the type of food you just had.
Do not brush immediately after having any acidic food or drink as these acids weaken tooth enamel, and brushing immediately can cause enamel wearing or erosion making your teeth more susceptible to developing cavities.
When is the best time to brush my teeth to prevent tartar buildup?
While it is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day, in the morning when you wake up and at night before you go to bed, brushing at night is actually more beneficial.
It is actually better to brush in the night because the saliva production reduces significantly at night. This makes the plaque formation and bacterial attack to your tooth enamel more significant and cause more damage.
During the day, saliva production is optimum. Saliva has antibacterial properties and also acid neutralizing action. Thus, plaque formation is not much significant during the day.
You must wait for 30 minutes after consumption of acidic foods and drinks. The acid in the food or drink otherwise may erode the enamel layer and regular habit may cause exposed dentin leading to pain and sensitivity.
Which Toothbrush Is More Beneficial In Preventing Tartar Buildup: Manual Or Electric Toothbrush?
A 2014 study concluded that electric toothbrushes may be more effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis than manual brushes in the short and long term.
As effective plaque removal is crucial in keeping tartar away, an electric toothbrush with rotating heads must be your choice of toothbrush.
However, it is important to choose your toothbrush according to your mouth and gum condition.
If using a manual toothbrush, a soft-bristled toothbrush is good to clean your teeth as using a hard-bristled toothbrush may abrade the enamel and lead to dental abrasion and recession of gums.
Replace your toothbrush after every 3 months or as soon as you notice the bristles of your toothbrush beginning to bend, fray, and wear out.
Things To Consider To Keep Away Tartar
Tartar formation can be prevented by following good oral hygiene which includes:
Choose an appropriate toothbrush
Choosing an appropriate toothbrush is the first and most important step towards toothbrushing. Yet, this is neglected by most of the people.
Toothbrushes with more rounded bristles are soft to your teeth and are considered to be an ideal toothbrush to use.
Do Not Immediately Brush after Eating Acidic Foods
You must wait for 30 minutes to one hour after consumption of acidic foods and drinks. The acid in the food or drink otherwise may erode the enamel layer and regular habit may cause exposed dentin leading to pain and sensitivity and increased risk of developing cavities.
Use Gentle and Short Strokes When Brushing Your Teeth
Use gentle, short strokes to brush your front teeth and thoroughly clean your mouth without abrading the enamel.
Brush the outside surfaces as well as the back molars and upper areas of your chewing surfaces. Brush the inside surfaces of both top and bottom front teeth by flipping your toothbrush upside down.
Brush your tongue to get rid of any bacteria or plaque.
Use a fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride can greatly help achieve oral and dental health by strengthening the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to tooth decay.
Fluoride reduces the amount of acid produced by the bacteria on your mouth.
Floss Daily To Keep Away Tartar
Many people, despite knowing the benefits of flossing daily, just neglect it.
According to a study, flossing is highly effective in reducing the interproximal caries risk.
Daily floss can help stimulate your gums and reduce plaque leading to lesser inflammation risk.
Consider mouthwash to keep away tartar
Therapeutic mouthwashes, as the name suggests have therapeutic action and control dental conditions like gingivitis, tooth decay and periodontal diseases. They also help remove halitosis.
Therapeutic Mouthwashes contain ADA listed active ingredients such as fluoride, peroxide, essential oils, cetylpyridinium chloride, and chlorhexidine, all regulated by the FDA.
Colgate Total Pro-Shield is a mouthwash that kills germs for up to 12 hours after eating a meal and therefore highly effective in reducing plaque buildup.
Consult A Dental Professional For Dental Cleaning To Keep Away Tartar
It is important to get your oral health checked twice every year with an interval of 6 months between two visits.
Your dentist can help remove calculus and locate cavities and will also be able to spot potential oral health issues, if any, and offer treatment solutions.
Dental cleaning is recommended to be done twice a year for maintaining good oral hygiene with no cavities or decay.
Dental cleaning can help in removing the plaque and tartar and thus prevent decay or gum disease or periodontal disease of any type.
Whitening Strips And Whitening Toothpastes To Keep Away Tartar
Whitening strips containing hydrogen peroxide offer an at-home alternative to whiten the stained teeth and contribute to less tartar deposition.
Whitening toothpastes, containing 1% or less peroxide, are minimally effective.
However, tartar can be successfully removed using a combination of whitening strips and whitening toothpastes.
Less Of Coffee or Tea Consumption To Keep Away Tartar
No tobacco and less coffee or tea consumption will help reduce the stain on teeth produced by them and also contribute to less or no tartar deposition.
Stop Smoking To Keep Away Tartar
According to a study published in the American Society for Microbiology Journals, smoking not only causes bacterial accumulation and plaque formation but also affects the host response to the bacterial colonization.
The study reports that smoking increases the risk of developing periodontal diseases and plaque and tartar buildup is more in smokers than non-smokers.
Oil Pulling To Keep Away Tartar
In India, Oil pulling has been practiced traditionally since ages to improve oral hygiene and remove toxins from the body.
The practice of oil pulling involves swishing oil, sunflower or coconut oil, around in your mouth, keeping it for a few minutes and then spitting it out.
Yes it is traditional and now backed by several scientific studies.
A study concluded oil pulling using coconut oil to be an effective procedure in decreasing plaque formation and plaque induced gingivitis.
Similarly other studies have also found oil pulling to be an effective and safe procedure to reduce plaque accumulation and thus prevent tartar buildup.
Plaque Vs. Tartar: What Are The Key Differences?
Both plaque and tartar are responsible for causing tooth decay and other dental and periodontal diseases, with some key differences between them being:
Difference In The Buildup Process
Plaque buildup continuously due to accumulation of food remnants each time after you eat or drink, commonly due to the sugary foods and drinks.
Tartar buildup only when plaque is left undisturbed and poor oral hygiene is followed. Tartar is actually a hardened plaque.
Difference In Appearances
Plaque is colorless, difficult to see and gives a fuzzy feeling on the teeth.
Tartar is yellow or brown in color and generally feels rough.
Difference In Removal
While plaque can be removed with simple brushing and flossing, tartar needs a dental professional for its removal
Conclusion
This blog post addressed the question, “can you brush away tartar”. We understood what tartar is, toothbrushing to prevent tartar, when and how often should you brush your teeth to prevent tartar buildup, when is the best time to brush my teeth to prevent tartar buildup and which toothbrush is more beneficial in preventing tartar buildup: manual or electric toothbrush.
The article outlined things to consider to keep away tartar and about some key differences between plaque and tartar.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS): Can You Brush Away Tartar
Can Dental Plaque Be Removed?
Daily brushing, two times at least for two minutes each and daily flossing, can remove plaque and prevent its buildup.
If you do not brush and floss daily, the plaque accumulates and leads to formation of hard calcified mass called Tartar.
Plaque can be removed at home with proper brushing and flossing and maintaining good oral hygiene whereas tartar being hard and calcified, needs a dental professional for its removal.
How Do I Know That I Have a Plaque And Tartar Buildup?
A fuzzy feeling on the teeth, chronic bad breath with red, tender and swollen gums that often bleed during or after brushing, are top signs that you have plaque buildup in your mouth.
Tartar buildup is visible as a yellowish deposition on the teeth surface.
What are the complications of tartar?
Plaque, if left undisturbed and is not removed due to poor oral hygiene, develops into a hard, calcified mass called tartar.
Plaque and tartar can cause complications like:
- Tooth decay or dental caries
- Gum and Periodontal diseases
- Tooth infection
- Tooth weakening and loss
Can tartar cause gaps in teeth?
Yes, tartar may cause gaps in teeth if left untreated. Untreated tartar may lead to gum disease or periodontal disease, which on progression cause gaps between teeth and even loosening of the teeth.
How Can I Remove Tartar From My Teeth Without Going To The Dentist?
To remove the hard plaque also called tartar without going to the dentist is an impossible task.
However, you can still try by gargling with a mixture containing two tablespoons of white vinegar in a cup of lukewarm water with dissolved salts.
It might soften the hard tartar and then you can brush it off.
References:
What to Know About Tartar Removal – Healthline. (2019)
Can You Remove Tartar At Home? – Colgate
Tartar (Dental Calculus): 6 Tips to Remove Tartar Buildup. (2020)
How Often Should You Brush Your Teeth? (2021)
Natural Remedies. (2018)
Dental Plaque. (2020)
How To Remove Plaque. (2019)
Plaque And Tartar. Colgate