Keeping Tartar Away

One way to keep your teeth healthy is by preventing tartar build-up. But what exactly is tartar? Tartar is a plaque that has hardened on your teeth and can only be removed by a dentist during a professional dental cleaning. Plaque is the thin film that appears on your teeth after you eat and drink and can easily be removed with a thorough brushing after meals. However, if you aren’t careful, that plaque can turn into tartar, which can lead to gingivitis, bad breath, cavities, and eventually, tooth loss.

Learn more about what the team at Parmer Lane Family Dentistry in Austin, Texas, recommends to avoid tartar build-up.

Brush and floss daily.

The most important thing you can do to prevent dental tartar is have a good oral hygiene routine. A proper dental hygiene routine includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day and for a minimum of two minutes each time, as well as flossing at least once a day.

To make sure you are brushing for the correct amount of time, visualize your mouth as four separate quadrants, and spend at least 30 seconds in each of the quadrants. Focus on using small circular motions to remove any plaque build-up so it doesn’t turn into tartar. Make sure that all surfaces of the tooth are brushed thoroughly, including the front, top, back, and sides, especially the molars in the back of your mouth. To help make your teeth strong, consider using a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can help fortify and strengthen teeth.

Daily flossing is also part of a good dental hygiene routine. To start, choose your dental floss of choice and break off a piece that is about 18 inches long. Next, wind the majority of the dental floss around your middle fingers and hold the section in the middle firmly between your index fingers and thumbs. Make sure the dental floss is taut between your fingers.

To begin, slide the floss gently between your teeth and rub up and down the surface of each tooth to swipe away plaque and debris. When you get to the gums, make a “C” shape with the floss and gently rub the floss under the gumline. Repeat this process for the other side of the tooth.

When you are finished with those teeth, slide the dental floss out and wind the used portion down on your nondominant hand to bring about a fresh piece of floss. Repeat the flossing process for the remainder of your teeth until every tooth has been flossed thoroughly.

Choose the right tools.

To see results on any project, it is important to use the right tools when doing the job, and the same can be said for your oral health.

Many dentists recommend using a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head for brushing your teeth. Making sure the toothbrush is small enough to maneuver comfortably in your mouth is important because you want to make sure you can reach the back molars comfortably.

However, if you are looking for a better clean, consider getting an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes can clean your teeth more effectively than a manual toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes can also have timers, which will help you achieve the desired minimum of two minutes of brushing each time.

When it comes to flossing, there are also alternatives to regular dental floss. You can try a water flosser, which uses a stream of pressurized water to clean between your teeth. There are also dental flossers, which have a small piece of dental floss attached to a handle for easy flossing.

If you’re experiencing difficulty brushing or flossing, ask the team at Parmer Lane Family Dentistry for tips and tricks to help along your dental hygiene routine.

Watch your diet.

A proper diet is important to keep your body healthy, and it can help your teeth as well.

Dentists recommend that their patients avoid starchy and sugary foods because they break down easily into sugars, which bacteria feed on. That means that plaque and tartar can form more easily.

But if you’re looking for a healthy snack that can help prevent tartar build-up on your teeth, look to crunchy fruits and vegetables, like apples, carrots, and celery. These types of foods are known as nature’s toothbrushes because of their fibrous nature, which acts like a toothbrush to sweep away bacteria in your mouth as you chew. These food items also require a lot of chewing, which increases saliva production. An increase in saliva production can also help wash away some bacteria and plaque that may be present in your mouth.

Rinse with mouthwash.

Most dentists, including the team at Parmer Lane Family Dentistry,  recommend choosing an alcohol-free mouthwash. The type of mouthwash you use will depend on your individual needs and could cover whitening to reduce staining, fluoride to help with remineralizing enamel, or even antiseptic to help control gum disease.

But when is the best time to use mouthwash? Many dental professionals say not to use mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth because it could wash away the fluoride that is in your toothpaste. Instead, wait until a different time of day, if possible, such as after a meal. The type of mouthwash you use will impact when it should be used. The mouthwash ingredients and instructions will determine if you should use it before or after brushing.

Visit your dentist regularly.

Besides having a good daily oral hygiene routine, the best thing you can do for your teeth is have regular dental check-ups from Parmer Lane Family Dentistry. A thorough dental evaluation is recommended at least every six months. If you are worried about how you can afford your dental care, ask our team about our membership plan. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment!