4 Signs You Need to Have Tartar Removed from Your Teeth

Dentist Blog

You should already know about dental plaque. It's the sticky film that can build up across your teeth, but it can be removed easily enough by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly. However, the minerals contained in your saliva will be deposited in the plaque, and this will cause it to harden within a few days. When plaque hardens, it turns into tartar.

While plaque can be removed easily enough at home with nothing more than a toothbrush and floss, tartar needs to be removed by a dental professional. If left untreated, it can lead to issues such as tooth decay, gingivitis and even periodontitis.

As such, it's well worth learning how to tell if tartar has built up across your teeth so you can have it removed as soon as possible. Here are just four common warning signs.

1. Discolouration

While plaque is colourless, tartar tends to cause noticeable discoloration to your teeth. Above the gums, you may notice a yellow or brown tinge. Below the gum line, you may notice darker brown or even black discoloration. Darker colours are more likely when you consume food and drink known to cause stains, such as coffee.

2. Crustiness

Tartar is a mineral deposit, so it often feels relatively rough once it hardens. If it feels like parts of your teeth have developed a crusty or fuzzy outer layer when you run your tongue across them, tartar is probably to blame. This is often easiest to notice on the inner surfaces of your lower front teeth. It may even feel like the gaps between them are less distinct than before.

3. Gum Irritation

Tartar affects your gums as well as your teeth. Inflammation and irritation often come first. At this point, you may notice that your gums feel sore or start to bleed, especially after brushing or flossing. As the condition grows worse, your gums may also start to swell and feel tender even while you're eating.

4. Bad Breath

Bad breath, known more properly as halitosis, often becomes impossible to rid yourself of when tartar is allowed to accumulate across your teeth. This is because tartar itself usually smells quite bad, especially as it grows older and picks up odours from food, drink and bacteria. Since tartar cannot be removed at home, your bad breath will remain no matter how much you brush. The only answer is to have it removed professionally.  

For more info, contact a local dentist. 

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16 March 2023