There are many risks if tartar is not cleaned, including gingivitis (Gingivitis) and many other problems.

Maintaining good oral hygiene is often thought to be sufficient by brushing your teeth twice a day. However, some people still find hard, yellowish or brownish deposits around their teeth and gum lines. These deposits are known as tartar or calculus.

Tartar is often considered merely an aesthetic nuisance. However, if left to build up, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and increase the risk of various dental and gum problems.

Why is there still tartar on my teeth even though I brush my teeth regularly?

While brushing your teeth regularly is important, tartar can still form due to several factors. Here are some of the causes:

• Missed Plaque: Toothbrushes sometimes struggle to reach between teeth or near the gum line. Plaque that isn't removed can mix with minerals from saliva and slowly harden into tartar.
• Improper Toothbrushing Technique: Brushing too quickly, not cleaning the back of the teeth, or not flossing enough can leave food debris and plaque behind.
• Saliva Composition: Mineral content such as calcium and phosphate in saliva can accelerate the process of plaque hardening into calculus.
• Dry Mouth: Saliva helps naturally clean the mouth. When saliva production decreases, food debris and plaque buildup more easily.

Dangers and Risks If Tartar Is Not Cleaned

Continuous tartar buildup can become a breeding ground for bacteria. If not promptly removed, this condition can increase the risk of the following problems:

• Gingivitis: Bacteria in tartar can cause gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily when brushing.
• Damage to the supporting tissue of the teeth (Periodontitis): If gum inflammation is not treated, the infection can progress to affect the tissue and bone supporting the teeth.
• Loose Teeth that Fall Out: Damage to the bone supporting the teeth can cause the teeth to lose their strength and become loose.
• Bad Breath (Halitosis): Bacteria that build up on tartar can produce compounds that cause bad breath that are difficult to get rid of.
• Cavities: The rough surface of tartar makes it easier for plaque to stick, increasing the risk of tooth enamel damage.
• Risk of Other Health Problems: Severe gum infections need to be treated properly because oral health is also related to the overall health of the body.

What Color Is Severe Tartar?

When tartar first forms, it's usually yellowish-white or light yellow. However, as tartar builds up over time, it can turn a darker color, such as:

• Dark Brown to Black: Color changes can be influenced by the habit of drinking coffee or tea, smoking, and stains that have been there for a long time.
• Tartar Under the Gum: Tartar that is below the gum line is usually darker in color, such as dark brown or black, and requires cleaning by a dentist.

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Can tartar be removed without scaling?

The answer is that hardened tartar cannot be removed just by brushing your teeth.

• Toothbrushing and Flossing: Both are effective at removing plaque and food debris, but they cannot remove hardened tartar.
• Natural Ingredients: Using salt, baking soda, or lemon has not been proven to effectively remove tartar. Using ingredients that are too acidic also risks irritating the gums and damaging tooth enamel.

Tartar should be removed by a dentist through a scaling procedure. The dentist uses special tools to safely remove tartar from the tooth surface.

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Can Breastfeeding Mothers (Busui) Clean Tartar?

In general, breastfeeding mothers are allowed to have their teeth scaled. This procedure is performed locally in the mouth and aims to remove tartar buildup.

• Scaling is a non-invasive procedure.
• The procedure is performed on the teeth and gum area.
• Maintaining healthy teeth and gums during breastfeeding remains important to prevent oral problems from developing.

However, inform your dentist that you are breastfeeding, especially if the examination requires the use of certain medications..

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If Tartar is Severe, What Should You Do?

If tartar is thick, dark in color, causes bleeding gums, or makes your teeth feel loose, you should immediately have a check-up with a dentist.

Some possible actions include:

1. Dentist Examination: Avoid trying to clean tartar yourself using sharp objects as this can injure the gums and tooth surfaces.
2. Scaling and Root Planing: For normal tartar, your dentist can perform scaling. If tartar has reached below the gum line, additional treatment, such as root planing, may be necessary to clean the root area.
3. Bone Condition Examination: In certain cases, the doctor may recommend an X-ray examination to see the condition of the bones supporting the teeth.
4. Routine Care After Procedure: After tartar removal, maintain oral hygiene by brushing your teeth properly, cleaning between your teeth, and having check-ups as recommended by your doctor.