Tartar, which your dentist calls calculus, is a product of minerals and plaque in your saliva. Calculus is the main cause of gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
Stone creates the biggest problem, especially when it forms below the gum line. The stone is calcareous and hard; It is difficult to clean. Part of regular dental checkups include cleaning your teeth and tartar. This cleaning process is done by scraping the tooth with tools called gratuars and curettes, especially for stones below the gum line. The process is uncomfortable and makes your gums bleed. Another method is to use a vibrator that helps remove the stones.
There is a lot of advertising these days for toothpastes against tartar. These toothpastes have been found to reduce stone buildup on teeth above the gum line, but have little or no effect on stones below the gum line. Unfortunately, it is the stones (tartar) that form under the gums that cause periodontitis, a gum disease that can result in tooth loss. Tartar-control toothpastes may have an aesthetic effect and help clean your teeth better when you visit the dentist, but they do little to prevent actual, harmful tartar from forming.
There are also special toothpastes designed to clean teeth stains caused by smoking. We do not recommend these toothpastes: People whose gums have already receded may be harmed by such toothpastes, which will expose the softer layers under the gum line. This type of toothpaste can also make your teeth more sensitive to hot or cold foods.
The approval of expert organizations on some anti-tartar toothpastes is an approval not for the anti-tartar properties but for the fluoride contained in the toothpaste.
The information contained in the site content is for support purposes. It is not a substitute for the physician examining the patient for medical purposes and making a diagnosis.