If you suddenly feel something stinging your teeth while brushing your teeth or eating, don’t panic! Tartar is likely to fall apart from the back of the teeth. While teeth are normally strong enough and resistant to breakage, tartar is not. However, there are many other questions you may have, and this article will explore what to do when that happens.
What is tartar?
Tartar, also known as tartar, is a hardened coating on the surface of the mouth, especially on the teeth. Although plaque is a sticky substance made up of saliva, mucus, bacteria, and food particles, it will eventually turn to tartar if you do not remove it during daily oral care. Tartar is a very hard substance due to the presence of minerals in saliva. It is also almost impossible to remove it by hand without the help of a dentist and his professional tartar removal tools.
However, tartar can sometimes peel off a tooth.
Is it a chipped tooth or tartar leaving the back of the teeth?
Remember: a healthy tooth is very unlikely to break, rupture, or burst during normal daily activities. On the other hand, it is quite possible that if you chew something well or brush your teeth at some point, you may break a piece of tartar.
One way to check is to keep the chipped piece and examine it. If it is brown, dull yellow, or even partially black, it is probably tartar. You can put pressure on the piece and see if it breaks; Tartar will break under mild pressure, while tooth enamel will require much more force to break.
What if I have a sharp point in my mouth?
Because tartar is a very hard substance, a piece leaving the back of the teeth can leave a sharp spot where it used to be. If you notice this, do not try to remove more tartar from your teeth, as this can cause serious damage to your teeth and gums.
The best thing to do is to visit the dentist right away. They can research the area and treat it appropriately with the right tools. Dentists have ultrasonic and manual tartar removal tools at their disposal that can safely and effectively remove tartar.
How can such a situation be prevented?
- Rinse every day. Use an antiseptic mouthwash every day to help kill plaque bacteria.
- Choose a toothpaste to control tartar with fluoride. The fluoride will help repair damage to the enamel. Some products contain a substance called triclosan, which fights bacteria in plaque.
- Clean regularly, twice a day for 2 minutes. A 30-second peel twice a day does not remove plaque or prevent tartar. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles that is small enough to fit in your mouth.
- Dental floss, dental floss, dental floss. We cannot impress on this enough. No matter how good you are with a toothbrush, flossing is the only way to remove plaque between your teeth and keep tartar away from these hard-to-reach spots.
- Refrain from smoking. Studies show that people who smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products are more likely to have tartar.
- Keep an eye on what you eat. Bacteria in the mouth thrive on sweet, starchy foods. When exposed to these foods, they release harmful acids. Try to eat healthily and control how much sweet intake you have in a day. This also applies to snacks.
Why should you be alarmed by tartar? (Though not freaked out)
Tartar can make brushing and floss more difficult. This can lead to tooth damage and tooth decay. Any tartar that forms above the gum line could hurt you. This is because the bacteria it contains can irritate and damage the gums. Over time, this can lead to progressive gum disease. It can worsen to the point where pockets form between the gums and teeth and become infected with bacteria. This is called periodontitis. Your immune system sends chemicals to defend itself, and these mix with the bacteria and substances it releases. The resulting stew can damage the bones and tissues that hold the teeth in place. Some studies also link gum bacteria to heart disease and other health problems.
Conclusion: see a dentist as soon as possible
Any amount of accumulated tartar in the mouth requires deep cleaning in the dental office. This is because tartar is generally poor for oral health and deep cleansing removes all sharp points and deposits of tartar. The result is a healthier mouth with teeth and gums without hardened deposits, so you can go back to maintaining good oral health.