Brown discoloration between teeth is usually tartar buildup. Plague eventually hardens and turns into tartar. It accumulates the most in areas that people miss in brushing like the gum line and between teeth. Failing to remove tartar leads to cavities and gum disease.
How Does Tartar Develop?
Tartar develops from plaque. Bacteria grows on your teeth and thrive when there is a inadequate dental hygiene or a poor diet. Bacteria feed on sugar and starch. These substances are broken down by a mix of bacteria that release acids. The carbohydrates are broken down by the acids and millions of bacteria are lurking to feed on it.
Eventually, the bacteria turns into a gummy substances known as plaque. Plaque builds up in areas that aren’t properly brushed, like the back teeth. Plaque hardens and turns into tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist.
You will see patches of your teeth will get yellow or brown. That is tartar developing. It’s an extremely hard substance that can’t be removed by brushing or flossing alone.
How to Remove Tartar
The only way to remove tartar is for a hygienist to clean your teeth. That can be done in a traditional cleaning, but some patients with excessive tartar will need a deep teeth cleaning. Traditional teeth cleaning involves mostly surface cleaning and around the gum line.
A hygienst will go below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar in a deep teeth cleaning. Plaque and tartar can form pockets between teeth and gums, leading to gum disease. Cleaning out these pockets lets gums heal and reattach to teeth.
The Effects of Tartar
Tartar and plaque can cause gum inflammation such as gingivitis, infection, and periodontitis, which includes bone loss. That may cause tooth decay and tooth loss.
Can You Prevent Tartar?
Maintaining a solid oral hygiene routine is the best way to prevent and reduce tartar. One of the best habits to implement is flossing because flossing removes plaque from between teeth and around the gum line.
Going to regular dental appointments every 6 months is another great way to prevent any plaque calcifying into tartar. Others are more susceptible to plaque and tartar, meaning they may need one or two extra dental cleanings each year.
You can also help prevent tartar by changing some of your eating habits. This will make a major difference: limiting sugary food and drink. Adds Nash: “Crunchy raw fibrous foods like apples, pears, carrots, and broccoli clean your teeth naturally as you eat. Calcium-rich foods and drinks strengthen bones and combat plaque and tartar.
Using any antibacterial mouthwash is another method to stop plaque and tartar. Some brands will kill more than 90 percent of bacteria. Dentists recommend devices like electric toothbrushes and water flossers to improve daily habits. These tools are especially helpful for those with mobility issues.
Does Removing Tartar Make Teeth Whiter?
Tartar causes some yellow and brown staining so removing it with a professional dental cleaning will improve the looks of your teeth, although it won’t make them noticeably whiter.
A beautiful smile starts with a healthy mouth. Once you get healthy teeth and gums, you can discuss how to make teeth whiter with your dentists.
