Plaque vs. Tartar: What’s the Difference?
Your mouth is a living ecosystem. Throughout the day, a sticky film of bacteria called plaque forms on your teeth. At this stage, plaque is soft and can be easily removed with regular brushing and flossing. However, if plaque is left undisturbed for as little as 48 hours, it reacts with the minerals in your saliva and calcifies into tartar (also known as calculus).
Once plaque has hardened into tartar, it is physically bonded to your tooth enamel. At this point, “natural” home remedies like acidic rinses or abrasive scrubs won’t help. In fact, such ideas can inadvertently damage your protective enamel or irritate your gum tissue.
3 Natural Ways to Prevent Tartar Build-up
While only a professional cleaning can safely remove existing tartar, you can take a proactive, natural approach to stop it from forming in the first place:
- Stimulate “Nature’s Mouthwash” (Saliva)
- Saliva is your body’s primary defense against build-up. It neutralizes acids and washes away food particles. You can naturally boost saliva production by staying hydrated with water. Snacking on crunchy, fibrous vegetables like celery and carrots, also stimulate saliva and act as a gentle, natural abrasive for your teeth.
- Disrupt the Biofilm Daily
- The most effective “natural” tool you have is consistency. By thoroughly brushing for two minutes twice a day and cleaning between your teeth daily, you disrupt the bacterial biofilm before it has the chance to mineralize into hardened tartar.
- Mindful Dietary Choices
- Bacteria thrive on simple sugars and starches. By choosing whole foods and limiting sugary snacks, you are naturally reducing the “fuel” that plaque-causing bacteria need to grow. This effectively slows down the rate of build-up.
Professional Care is the Best Tartar Treatment
At Harvest Pointe Dental, we use ultrasonic scalers and precision hand instruments to safely lift tartar away. The process helps brighten your smile, but more importantly, it protects your gums from inflammation.
Together, we can keep your smile functional, comfortable, and healthy.
Book Your Dental Cleaning in Edmonton Today
Is it time for your regular check-up? Whether you have noticed a bit of build-up or it’s simply been a while since your last visit, our team is here to help.
Contact Harvest Pointe Dental today to schedule your comprehensive dental cleaning and exam in Edmonton.
