What is Tartar (calculus)?

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Calculus or tartar is a product of minerals and plaques in your saliva. Tartar is the main cause of gingival diseases such as inflammation and periodontitis.

Tartar creates the biggest problem especially when it is formed under the gingival line. Tartar is calcareous and hard, it is difficult to remove. Some parts of your dental controls involve clearance of teeth and tartars. This cleaning procedure is made by curetting in case of tartar presence under the gingival line by a tool called curette, the procedure is disturbing and it causes gingival bleeding. Another method is to use a vibrating tool that helps cleaning the stones.

Nowadays, there are many advertisements about toothpastes against tartar. It has been showed that these pastes reduce tartar accumulation above the gingiva while they have very small effects on the stones below the gingival line, or none at all. Unfortunately, what causes periodontitis, the disease that may result in gingival loss is created by tartars below the gingiva. Tartar control tooth pastes may have an effect on aesthetic look and they may help better clearance when you go to your dentist, however, their benefits in prevention of real harmful tartars are too few.

Also, there are some tooth pastes specially designed for removing the tooth spots caused by smoking. We do not advise using these tooth pastes: Individuals who gingiva is already recessed may get harm from these tooth pastes which will affect softer layers above the gingival line. This kind of tooth pastes may also cause your teeth to be more sensitive about hot and cold foods in time.

Approval of expert establishments which can be seen in tooth pastes against tartar is an approval for the fluorine in the tooth paste, not for the anti-tartar feature.

Dr. Ahmet KİĞILI

Dişhekimi / Prostodonti ve Estetik Diş Hekimliği

1986 yılında başladığı Gazi Üniversitesi Diş hekimliği Fakültesinden 1992 yılında mezun oldu.

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