What is tartar?

Tartar is formed by the deposition of hard deposits on the surfaces of the teeth. Its effect on the teeth is unfavourable, as it pushes down the gums and can contribute to the development of parodontosis, so it is essential to remove it.

Tartar can be located both above and below the gums and cannot always be seen, so the assistance of a dentist and the appropriate equipment will be necessary.

Is it possible to remove tartar for free?

The National Health Service (NHF) offers patients the possibility of having tartar removal carried out - as part of the guaranteed benefits for patients who are insured, tartar can be removed free of charge once a year. However, tartar removal takes place without abrasion of the residue with polishing paste or sandblasting.

Regularly carrying out such procedures (once or twice a year) reduces the risk of marginal periodontal disease.

Tartar, photo: panthermedia

Where does tartar come from?

One of the basic causes of calculus formation is improper oral hygiene. It is also strongly influenced by the composition of saliva, age, medications taken and also... by what we eat - a diet high in sugars and starch is conducive to the formation of tartar.

Tartar formation will be faster in people who drink coffee and smoke paper. Carbohydrates, which thicken saliva, can also speed up the plaque build-up process, while tea can slow it down. Therefore, it is worth drinking a glass of black tea between meals from time to time; the polyphenols it contains help delay the build-up of plaque and maintain an appropriate composition of the bacterial flora. Unfortunately, for this effect to work, the tea must not contain any additives - sugar or milk should therefore be omitted.

Some patients also have a genetic predisposition to rapid tartar formation.

Tartar removal, photo: panthermedia

How to prevent tartar formation?

In the prevention of tartar formation, it is important to adequately and systematically remove plaque using available means:

• various toothbrushes
• toothbrushes, mouthwashes
• toothpastes,
• floss.

To prevent the formation of supragingival calculus, it is a good idea to use toothpastes and rinses that contain pyrophosphates, sodium biphosphates, as well as zinc salts. The amount of plaque-forming bacteria will also be reduced by the antiseptic agent triclostane, while pastes containing maleic acid vinyl methyl ester copolymer or zinc citrate will increase the bactericidal effect.

Interestingly, vitamin C gum is also worth using in the prevention of tartar formation.

To keep the tartar under control, regular visits to the dentist are also necessary.

Tartar: How to prevent it, photo: panthermedia

How to remove tartar?

Tartar can be removed by the dentist. Nowadays, there are a number of tools that allow the procedure to be performed painlessly and thoroughly. These include laser scalars, ultrasound, sound waves, as well as chemical solutions dissolving deposit.