Tartar is a hardened form of plaque that accumulates on the surface of your teeth. It is impossible to remove at home -- you must have a dental hygienist remove it. And as long as it remains on your teeth, it increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, since it harbors bacteria. Everyone gets some tartar over time, but there are some bad habits that can accelerate tartar formation.
1. Forgetting to brush at night.
Most people do it every once in a while. It's late, you're tired, and you just can't be bothered to brush your teeth before heading off to bed. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, you have plaque on your teeth. If you do not brush and remove it before bed, it will dry out as you sleep and breathe through your mouth. As it dries out, some of it will turn into tartar.
Make brushing your teeth before bedtime a must-do habit. Set a reminder in your phone so you don't forget, or stick a post-it to your pillow to inspire you to get back up and brush, no matter how tired you are.
2. Drinking sugary drinks.
It's no secret that drinking sugary drinks is bad for you. What you may not realize is that the sugars they contain feed oral bacteria, causing them to proliferate. The more bacteria you have, the more plaque you will have -- and the more plaque you have, the harder it becomes to remove it all. Any plaque that is not removed will turn to tartar.
3. Brushing too quickly.
Maybe you brush your teeth twice per day, but do you spend enough time doing it? If you rush the process, you might miss a few spots. Miss the same spots over and over again, and tartar will build up in the areas. To improve your brushing technique, set a timer when you brush. Spend 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth.
4. Flossing poorly.
When you floss, do you push the floss down in a "c" shape around each tooth? If you just go up and down, you will not be removing plaque from directly along the gumline. This will result in tartar formation along the bases of the teeth.
To learn more about tartar and how to prevent its formation, talk to your dentist. Regular cleaning appointments are essential for keeping tartar at bay.
Up until a year ago, I did my best to keep my teeth and gums clean. But after securing a new job, I began to work late into the night and didn't have the time or energy to brush and floss before I retired to bed. My busy schedule and poor dental hygiene finally affected my teeth and gums. After experiencing severe pain in several of my teeth, I made an appointment with my dentist. My dentist examined my mouth and discovered three large cavities in my molars. After four long weeks, my dentist finally completed my dental work. I learned a very painful lesson during that time. No matter how busy you are, always brush and floss. I started this blog to inform other people about the importance of good dental care. I hope you find the time to read it. Thanks for visiting.