Last Updated on December 18, 2020
How to prevent tartar
As with most health problems, working actively on prevention is the best thing to do. To prevent tartar, here are 5 extremely simple things you can do, so there are absolutely no excuses.
1. Proper oral hygiene
This is the most obvious one. You might think that your oral care routine is flawless, but maybe there are a few things you’ve been doing wrong. For example, have you been flossing at least once a day? Exactly. Now here’s what a perfect routine looks like, according to the American Dental Association: • Brush your teeth twice a day: one of them should be immediately before going to bed. You should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, maintain the toothbrush at a 45º angle to the gums, use short, gentle, circular motions, and make sure you cover the entire surface of the teeth! Oh, and also remember to clean your tongue – many people ignore that important step. • Use a toothbrush that suits you: whether you prefer a manual or an automatic toothbrush, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable using it and it doesn’t hurt your gums. With that being said, keep in mind that dentists usually recommend soft-bristled toothbrushes. • Floss: Make sure you do it at least once a day, and that you do it right – use about 18 inches of floss, hold it between your thumbs and index fingers, slide it between your teeth in gentle movements, and reach beneath the gum line. That’s it.
2. Toothpaste formulated to fight plaque
In the last decades, the technological progress in the most varied industries, together with the evolution of dentistry, has allowed the creation of a set of extremely capable products in the oral health area, including toothpaste to prevent plaque and tartar. If plaque is a problem that affects you very often, you should definitely try a specialized toothpaste.
3. Watch out your diet
As you’ve probably heard countless times, the food you eat can ruin your teeth, especially if you don’t have an appropriate oral hygiene routine. Sugary foods and drinks, for example, may lower your mouth’s pH and act as a magnet for harmful bacteria. On the other hand, healthy foods like fruits and vegetables can have the opposite effect and reduce the number of bacteria known to promote plaque in your mouth. According to a study published in The Open Dentistry Journal back in 2016, green tea may also help reduce bacterial activity and lower the chances of developing a series of oral issues, including plaque and tartar.
