Do you know the difference between plaque and tartar? Most people don’t or how they relate to each other. Understanding these two will help you to be able to fight their buildup.
Plaque begins forming on the teeth 4 to 12 hours after brushing and is a sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that forms on the tooth’s surface. Saliva, food and fluids combine to produce these deposits that collect on teeth and at the gum line.
This plaque layer is also the primary cause of gum (periodontal) disease.
Fighting plaque requires brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day since it begins to form again so soon after brushing.
Your susceptibility to plaque and tartar build varies greatly from individual to individual and you are at great risk the older you get.
Tart which is also known as calculus is a crusty deposit that forms on your teeth with a strong enough bond that it can only be removed by a dental professional.
Calcium and phosphate bind to form crystals on the teeth. These calcium phosphate crystals eventually harden within plaque, forming calculus. Certain types of chemicals called pyrophosphates help to decrease calculus buildup by preventing these crystals from forming. The pyrophosphate binds with the calcium crystals to prevent calculus from forming.
Always make sure that you get your teeth cleaned professionally at least once every six months by your dentist or hygienist.
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