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5 Ways To Minimize Tartar Development

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Tartar, which is also called calculus, can build up on the teeth in a short amount of time and cause them to appear yellow, so it is best to avoid its development in the first place.  Here are few tips to help prevent tartar development:

Proper Brushing

You should brush consistently two times a day for about two minutes. However, how you brush during each brushing session is important.

If you use excessive force, the brush will not remove more plaque. In fact, the added vigor will simply erode your tooth enamel, especially if the bristles of the toothbrush are designated as medium or hard.

Select a soft-bristled brush head that will fit the size of your mouth and access the hard-to- reach surfaces, such as the area behind your back teeth. Tartar accumulates quickest in the areas that remain unbrushed for a prolonged period. 

To further target the plaque in your mouth, apply a toothpaste that contains triclosan, which is an antibacterial agent. The reduction in bacteria will help discourage plaque development. In addition, try a tartar-control variety of toothpaste. It will help prevent the formation of new tartar deposits after the tartar has been removed during a professional dental cleaning. 

Gum

Gum can help pull particles of food and plaque from the tooth enamel when a toothbrush is not nearby. Thus, try to chew a piece of sugarless gum immediately after meals and snacks to clear plaque from teeth long before it can harden into tartar.

For greater impact against plaque and tartar, choose gum that contains xylitol, a natural, antibacterial sweetener. Gum that is cinnamon-flavored is also antimicrobial.

Mouthwash

Sometimes, all we really need to do is add a little mouthwash. Use an antiseptic mouthwash with chlorhexidine daily to help kill bacteria that cause plaque. However, avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol, which can be drying to the mouth.

Diet

One of the easiest things to manage is your diet. A diet that consists of fiber-filled raw fruits and vegetables, such as raw carrots, celery and apples, helps scrub plaque from the teeth.. Also, drink plenty of water during and after your meals to rinse away plaque and bacteria. Water that is fluoridated has additional antibacterial properties. Fluoride, which is known to harden tooth enamel, also helps make oral bacteria more sensitive to acid, so the bacterial counts in your mouth are better controlled.

Don't Smoke

Don't smoke cigarettes; people who use tobacco products have a greater risk of tartar accumulation than people who don't.

Once tartar forms, only a dental professional is able to remove it. To learn more ways to minimize the accumulation of tartar, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your area, like Adams Dental Center.


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