{"id":3648,"date":"2020-10-08T09:43:35","date_gmt":"2020-10-08T13:43:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/blog\/?p=3648"},"modified":"2021-02-23T11:53:50","modified_gmt":"2021-02-23T16:53:50","slug":"tartar-everything-you-need-to-know-about-how-buildup-affects-your-oral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/blog\/tartar-everything-you-need-to-know-about-how-buildup-affects-your-oral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Tartar: Everything you need to know about how buildup affects your oral health"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 6<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

The image of a perfect, pearly white smile may feel like something to aspire to \u2014 but it\u2019s practically fiction when it comes to real life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Roughly 70 percent of adults have tartar on their teeth, but the unsightly brown and yellow <\/span>appearance<\/span><\/i> is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Left unchecked, tartar can lead to a variety of ailments like tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to prevent and remove tartar from teeth once it occurs. Join us as we explore the basics of dental plaque and tartar, the problems it can cause, and different ways to keep tartar at bay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dental Plaque and Tartar 101: The Basics<\/b><\/h2>\n

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The first step in protecting against tartar on teeth is being aware of the basics, so let\u2019s do just that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dental Plaque, Defined<\/b><\/h3>\n

Plaque is quite common. As WebMD explains, even people who take meticulous care of their mouth<\/span> will still have plaque-causing bacteria in their mouths<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c[These bacteria] mix with proteins and food byproducts to form a sticky film called dental plaque. This gunk coats your teeth, gets under your gum line, and sticks to fillings or other dental work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A little plaque at the end of the day is normal. Brush twice a day with an electric toothbrush and floss regularly and most of the food and drink residue that leads to plaque can be eradicated.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Plaque will never go away completely, but it can be controlled with good oral hygiene and visits to the dentist,”<\/span> a Washington D.C.-based dentist told Live Science<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s when people get away from brushing and flossing regularly that plaque hardens and turns into tartar \u2014 and problems arise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tartar, Defined<\/b><\/h3>\n

Healthline<\/span> defines tartar<\/span><\/a>, which is also known as dental calculus, as \u201can accumulation of plaque and minerals from your saliva that harden.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Once burrowed between molars and under gums, tartar goes to work eroding enamel and infecting gums. If the resulting gingivitis (a mild form of periodontal gum disease) isn\u2019t treated, it can lead to periodontitis,<\/span> which MedlinePlus defines as<\/span><\/a> an inflammation and infection of underlying teeth bone structure \u2014 and the number one cause of tooth loss in adults.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are two types of tartar on teeth:<\/span><\/p>\n