As you know, it is vital that you floss, brush, and rinse with a mouthwash to prevent tartar buildup. Do you know why this is necessary? How does tartar get on your teeth? It does not matter whether you take extra care of your teeth; you will have bacteria in your mouth.

When the bacteria mix with food byproducts and proteins, it will form a sticky film known as dental plaque. The plaque will coat your teeth and get under the gum line. You should note it carries bacteria that damage the tooth enamel. If you remove tartar regularly, you prevent gum disease and tooth decay. 

How Tartar Affects the Gums and Teeth

The truth is that tartar makes it difficult to floss and brush as you should. That may result in tooth decay and cavities. Tartar that forms above the gum line is bad for you. That is because the bacteria it contains can damage and irritate your gums. Over time, this results in progressive gum disease.

How to Control Tartar

Brush Regularly

You need to brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time. A 30-second scrub won’t prevent tartar or remove plaque. It is advisable to use a brush with soft bristles that can fit into your mouth. Ensure you brush even hard-to-reach areas behind your teeth and rear molars. Recent studies found that powered or electronic toothbrushes can help you get rid of plaque than the manual models. No matter the toothbrush you use, ensure a relevant organization approves it.

Tartar Control Toothpaste

Ensure you get tartar-control toothpaste that contains fluoride. You should note that fluoride helps to repair enamel damage. Some toothpaste products contain a substance known as triclosan that fights bacteria in plaque.

Floss

It does not matter how good you are with the toothbrush; dental flossing is the best way of removing plaque between the teeth and keeping tartar out of hard-to-reach areas. You should consider rinsing daily to help kill bacteria that are known to cause plaque.

Watch Your Diet

You should note that bacteria found in the mouth thrive on starchy and sugary foods. When you eat these foods, they release harmful acids. Thus, you should change your diet and eat a healthy diet. You should limit the amount of sugary foods you eat. That is the same case with snacks too. Each time you eat, you feed the bacteria in the mouth.