The next appointment with your dentist can be much longer than usual if you accumulate large amounts of tartar. If left in place for a prolonged period, dental plaque can harden into tartar. Plaque can be easily brushed away. However, tartar has to be scraped away using a special dental tool. The scraping can sometimes be a bit uncomfortable, so it is best to minimize the buildup of the yellow substance. In addition, due to its porous consistency, tartar can harbor oral bacteria and plaque to cause more accumulations and negatively impact dental health.

Since plaque hardens into tartar over time, its prompt removal can prevent tartar development. Here are a few ways to lessen tartar accumulations:

Snack on fresh vegetables.

Plaque can build up quickly when you snack on food that is filled with simple carbohydrates. Sugary foods are favorite meals for oral bacteria. In addition, the food mixes with the bacteria to form plaque. If the plaque is not removed within a few hours, it can begin to harden.

However, when you eat raw, fibrous vegetables, the coarse texture of the food helps scrape away plaque and bacteria from the teeth. In addition, due to the low amount of natural sugar in many fresh vegetables, it does not promote the increase of oral bacteria in the mouth.

Rinse with water after meals and snacks.

It may not always be convenient to brush your teeth immediately after eating, but most people can rinse their mouth with a bit of water. Tap water is usually fluoridated. Thus, it can have antibacterial properties.

Fluoride increases the acid sensitivity of oral bacteria to lessen its progression. In addition, water can help rinse plaque and bacteria from the mouth.

Chew sugarless gum after eating.

Sugarless gum can help pull food particles off of the surface of the teeth before they can harden into plaque. Chewing the gum also helps encourage proper production of saliva to help to rinse away debris.

Some sugarless gum is sweetened with xylitol, which can help kill the oral bacteria in the mouth. Cinnamon flavoring is also antibacterial.

Use antibacterial mouthwash.

After brushing your teeth, rinse with a mouthwash that contains chlorhexidine. The ingredient is antibacterial and helps lessen the development of plaque. Alcohol is also antibacterial, but alcohol-based mouthwash can be drying to the oral cavity and can cause inflammation.

If you would prefer a natural antibacterial mouth rinse, mix hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of water.

To learn more ways to minimize the buildup of tartar, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your area, such as one from Eden Prairie Dental Care.

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