110 – What is Plaque vs Tartar

What is Plaque vs Tartar?
Several problems can shake our oral health. While some are more serious, others can be easily resolved with simple measures. And it is in this second case where the bacterial plate and the tartar fit.
Although they are not serious problems, these two oral conditions can trigger other diseases that significantly undermine the health of teeth and gums. In some cases, even organic health is compromised because of the bacteria that proliferate in the mouth.
What is bacterial plaque?
Have you ever looked at your teeth a few minutes after a meal without brushing them? If so, you must have noticed that they end up with a yellowish appearance and, especially near the gum line, we can notice that they look rough.
This characteristic is caused by the accumulation of bacterial plaque. Plaque is nothing more than a biofilm that forms in tooth enamel due to the accumulation of food waste. That is, it’s leftover food that gets stuck in the teeth and full of mixed live bacteria. Biofilm gets its name because food residues begin to decompose in the mouth. This creates an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.
As a consequence, in addition to the teeth looking dirty, plaque can cause bad breath and the gums can become inflamed due to the action of microorganisms. At the same time, these bacteria release acids that attack tooth enamel, causing cavities.
What is tartar?
Just like bacterial plaque, tartar forms due to the accumulation of food waste in the teeth. However, his difference to the plate is that it is the initial stage, and the tartar comes next.
Plaque is a whitish mass that can be easily removed with a toothbrush and dental floss. In the case of tartar, this material calcifies due to the reaction with minerals present in saliva, and also due to contact with drinks and food.
That is, when the bacterial plate is not removed it remains in the mouth until these reactions occur, becoming hard and causing tartar. It cannot be removed at home, but by a dentist, who will perform periodontal scraping with specific instruments.
In addition to leaving teeth looking dirty, tartar is rich in bacteria, and, like plaque, they migrate to the gums, affecting the supporting tissues and causing inflammation and infections in the periodontium.
And that’s not all, because these microorganisms also migrate to other parts of the body, such as the lungs and heart. In these organs, they aggravate pre-existing problems and trigger others that can even lead the individual to death.
How to prevent plaque and tartar?
Despite being problems that require attention, bacterial plaque and tartar can be easily prevented through good oral hygiene. After all, as said, they are the result of the accumulation of food waste in the teeth.
Therefore, it is important to brush after meals, always using dental floss, as the brush cannot remove the remains that remain between the teeth. And it’s still important to remember that plaque and tartar also form on baby teeth. Therefore, parents and caregivers need to be aware of the oral hygiene of children. Being attentive is getting your hands dirty, that is, flossing and brushing your children’s teeth at least before bedtime.
To complement this care done at home, it is essential to visit a dentist at least every six months. That’s because some leftover food can be deposited below the gum where the brush doesn’t even reach. They need to be removed using specific instruments, as they can cause subgingival tartar.
During these periodic visits, the professional also removes surface stains and applies fluoride. Remembering that this product is fundamental to maintain the mineralization of the enamel, reducing its susceptibility to cavities.
Bacterial plaque and tartar are very similar problems that basically have their origins in the same factor. Both proliferate bacteria and undermine oral health, so the ideal is to do proper prevention, as it is simple and effective.