Get to Know Simple Habits That Can Prevent Tartar

Tartar is a problem in the oral cavity that is often experienced by many people. This condition is often caused by the accumulation of food residue left on the teeth. Not only that, the cause of tartar can also be triggered by a number of other factors, such as rarely brushing your teeth, decreased saliva production, chewing habits, consumption of certain medications, and improper brushing methods. Tartar or calculus generally does not cause symptoms, so many people do not realize that there is tartar in their mouths. Although asymptomatic, tartar that is left untreated can cause problems with teeth, gums, and mouth. Read the full explanation in the following article!

Causes of Tartar

1. Food Residue Buildup

Basically, tartar is caused by plaque that builds up and is rarely cleaned. Plaque can form due to the accumulation of food residue that is often left on the teeth. In addition, consuming foods or drinks that contain high sugar levels can also trigger the formation of tartar. This is because foods and drinks that contain high sugar have a sucrose content which is a food source for bacteria in the mouth. If these bacteria are allowed to multiply and accumulate in the oral cavity, they can trigger the formation of plaque and tartar.

2. Chewing Habits

The next cause of tartar is improper chewing habits. It should be noted that tartar tends to be more common in individuals who often chew on one side of the jaw only. This is because the oral cavity tends to be dirtier on the side of the jaw that is rarely used to chew food.

3. Decreased Saliva Production

Saliva is a fluid in the oral cavity that contains enzymes to help the process of digesting food. Not only that, saliva also functions to help clean food residue that is still stuck to the teeth. Therefore, decreased saliva production can cause food residue to stick to the teeth which also triggers the formation of tartar. Basically, there are several conditions that can decrease saliva production and risk causing tartar formation, including:

• Smoking habits.
• Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• Certain medical conditions, such as Sjogren's syndrome.
• Dehydration.

4. Improper Toothbrushing Method

Improper toothbrushing method is one of the causes of tartar that is often not realized. This is because improper toothbrushing will actually allow plaque and food debris to accumulate on the teeth.

5. Other Causes of Tartar

In addition to the factors above, tartar can also be triggered by several other things, such as:

• Rarely brushing your teeth.
• Inappropriate use of toothbrushes.
• Side effects of cancer treatment with radiotherapy or chemotherapy around the neck or head.
• Side effects of medications that can affect oral and dental health, such as decongestants and antihistamines.

 

How to Prevent Tartar

To prevent the formation of tartar, there are several ways that can be applied, namely:

1. Brush your teeth regularly

Routinely brushing your teeth at least 2 times a day for 2 minutes is one way to prevent tartar. To provide maximum protection, use toothpaste containing fluoride and a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small brush head so that it can reach between the teeth.

2. Reduce sugar consumption

Foods that contain a lot of sugar are known to be one of the causes of tartar. The reaction between natural bacteria in the mouth with sweet foods can produce acids that trigger plaque growth on the teeth. Therefore, reduce the consumption of sweet foods and increase the consumption of nutritious foods to avoid plaque buildup that causes tartar.

3. Drink enough water

Drink 2 liters or 8 glasses of water every day to meet the body's fluid needs. Water is known to be able to remove dirt in the mouth that can trigger tartar and prevent dry mouth which is one of the causes of tartar.

4. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol

The habit of smoking and drinking alcohol is known to be bad for dental and oral health. Cigarettes and alcoholic beverages can cause teeth to become yellow, sensitive, and the mouth to become dry, which can trigger the formation of tartar.

How to Remove Tartar

Hermina's friends need the help of a dentist to remove tartar that has formed. The method commonly used to treat tartar is scaling or maximum teeth cleaning. Scaling is usually accompanied by root planing to clean the tooth canal. Basically, tartar must be cleaned immediately even if it is only a little and does not cause complaints. This is to prevent complications of dental and oral diseases. To find out more about the causes of tartar, Hermina's friends can consult a dentist at RSU Hermina Pandanaran. Have a dental check-up at least once every 6 months to maintain dental and oral health. Stay Healthy Hermina's friends!

References:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10953-plaque

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/plaque-and-your-teeth

 

Written and reviewed by: drg. Grace Angelina, Sp.KG