Many of us have heard the term at the dentist’s office, or seen it on a toothpaste box–the infamous tartar. Tartar is the hard calcified deposit that can form on and between teeth which contributes to their decay.

Tartar (also referred to as calculus) occurs when plaque is not removed, resulting in it hardening onto the tooth to become tartar. For many reasons, deposits build up faster the older you get. Tartar is easy to find once it forms, as it looks brown or yellow on teeth.  Unfortunately, tartar bonds to enamel so strongly it can only be removed by a professional dental hygienist.

The most effective preventive measure you can take is to remove plaque before it collects on teeth and under the gums. That involves following the American Dental Association’s advice of brushing twice a day as well as flossing. You can also use tartar-control fluoride toothpaste. This type of paste stops the progress of chemicals responsible for creating tartar.

Plaque forms when foods with carbohydrates (any sugars or starches) are left on the teeth. Along with avoiding foods high in sugar, limit your snacks in between meals. If you’re going to snack, favor nutritious foods like celery, which lets saliva neutralize plaque-causing acids.

For professional help in removing tartar or plaque build-up, contact Greenspoint Dental for a teeth cleaning appointment today.