Our mouth is exposed to all kinds of bacteria. The food and drinks we consume leave residues on our teeth and gums, creating dental plaque. This bacterial layer, initially transparent, can harden and take on a dark color, tarnishing our smile and even causing bad breath. This is what we know as tartar, also called dental calculus, and once it forms, it is difficult to remove. If we do nothing to free our teeth and gums from this bacterial plaque, over time it will grow in size and may lead to other oral health complications such as cavities and gum diseases (for example, gingivitis or periodontitis).
Why does tartar form?
Poor oral hygiene and cleaning allow bacteria to remain on our teeth and gums, enabling them to spread without limitations. The mineral salts contained in saliva help calcify and harden the plaque that bacteria generate, especially on the lower part of our teeth. All of this facilitates the creation of tartar. The best preventive measure to avoid tartar formation is to adopt good oral hygiene habits:
- Brushing your teeth at least twice a day.
- Using dental floss and mouthwash.
- Regularly visiting the dentist, as only a specialist can perform an early diagnosis and help you regain your smile.
How can dental tartar be removed?
Removing tartar from our teeth is a difficult task, and generally, only a dentist, through one or several conservative dentistry treatments, can make it disappear. The specialist may resort to various procedures to eliminate that layer of bacteria that mars our smile and is essentially a buildup of bacteria. The two most common methods are:
- Root scaling: This is the most effective way to remove the accumulation of minerals from our teeth and gums.
- Mouth rinses with chlorhexidine prescribed by the dentist.
- Tratectomy: This involves a routine dental cleaning with coronal scaling. Even if we maintain proper oral hygiene, there are always bacteria that brushing and rinsing cannot completely eliminate. Therefore, it is most advisable to have a cleaning session at the specialist’s office twice a year to also remove dental plaque and some superficial stains that appear on the enamel of our teeth.
Professional registration Nº 28004040
Degree in Medicine and Surgery, Autonomous University of Madrid
Degree in Dentistry, Complutense University of Madrid
Master’s Degree in Aesthetic Dentistry, Complutense University of Madrid
University Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry, San Rafael Hospital, Madrid
University Specialist in Individual and Public Oral Preventive Programs, Complutense University of Madrid
Director of Radiodiagnostic Facilities
Medical Director, Smiling Dental Center
Specialist in Aesthetic Dentistry, Dr. Bruce Crispin, Los Angeles, California
Member of the Spanish Society of Prosthodontics (SEPES)
CPR Course
Advanced English
