From dental tartar to periodontitis. 10 prevention tips

The main cause of periodontal disease is the accumulation of plaque on the teeth. This is a film made up mainly of bacteria and food debris. When plaque is not removed in time by repeated and correct brushing, it turns into tartar and the bacteria can become harmful. The bacteria then cause inflammation of the gums by triggering the body's inflammatory response.

The following tooth surfaces/tooth structures can be affected by dental tartar:

• Fixed prosthetic restorations;
• removable dentures;
• fillings;
• dental appliances .

Tartar is a continuous source of bacteria, keeps plaque in close contact with the tissue surface, irritates the gums and makes the cleaning process difficult by brushing. Periodontal disease is a disease that is largely preventable. 

Tips to prevent tartar buildup

1. Daily, correct brushing, twice a day: after meals rich in foods that contain sugar, starch or have a sticky consistency, it is advisable to clean your teeth. This way we avoid the hardening of bacterial plaque and the accumulation of dental tartar.

2. Checkups performed by the dentist every 6 months: if we postpone the treatment of various cavities/periodontal lesions, the tissues will deteriorate more, until the tooth can be lost.

3. Use auxiliary cleaning tools: dental floss, oral irrigator (mouthwash), interdental brushes. It is essential to clean the spaces between the teeth, at least once a day, using the listed tools. The toothbrush cannot remove bacteria and food debris between the teeth or from under the prosthetic works. Therefore, in order to avoid the accumulation of dental tartar and the appearance of an unpleasant odor, it is essential to clean the interdental spaces with dental floss, mouthwash or interdental brushes.

4. Stay hydrated throughout the day: when you don't drink enough water, you become dehydrated and this also has an impact on oral health because salivary clearance decreases in dehydration. Saliva, in addition to its role in moistening the oral cavity, also plays a role in digestion, protects teeth from cavities, prevents infections by controlling bacteria and balances oral pH after meals.

5. Avoid toothbrushes with hard bristles and replace them every 3 months: this way, you avoid the accumulation of bacteria on the toothbrush bristles. It also loses its effectiveness and no longer removes bacterial plaque as well, which over time turns into tartar.

6. Vitamin C: According to studies, vitamin C plays an important role in protecting the gums, with adults with low vitamin C intake having an increased risk of periodontal disease. For optimal vitamin C levels, include foods such as citrus fruits, red bell peppers, sea buckthorn, currants, and broccoli in your diet.

7. Quit smoking: Smoking affects the vascularization of the periodontium and reduces the immune response to defend against periodontal bacteria. Also, unsightly stains and halitosis (bad breath) are more common in smokers.

8. Avoid foods high in sugar, with a soft consistency that can remain stuck to the teeth for a long time, and sweet and acidic drinks: sugar feeds harmful bacteria that create plaque, tartar, and lead to tooth decay.

9. Straighten crooked teeth with braces: When teeth are crowded, in addition to looking unsightly, the supporting structure of the tooth is also affected. In addition, crooked teeth are much more retentive for bacterial plaque and food debris, and the spaces in question are much more difficult to properly sanitize.

10. Don't postpone solving dental problems: the sooner we detect dental or periodontal problems, the easier and cheaper they are to treat.

If you also have dental tartar deposits, do not hesitate to make an appointment for a dental hygiene treatment at any of our clinics in Bucharest, Iasi, Cluj, Constanta, Oradea, Arad, Brasov, Pitesti or Sibiu.