Dental Office Prothesart,Dental Practice,Dentist in Venice ITALY.

Plaque is a sticky, white or yellowish deposit that is constantly forming on the tooth surface after each meal.

Saliva, food debris and fluids combine to produce these deposits that collect on teeth especially where teeth and gums meet. If this biofilm is not removed regularly, it can lead to dental cavities (caries) or periodontal problems (such as gingivitis). A primary factor of gum disease shows that the buildup of plaque can trap stains on the teeth.

The biofilm is built of microorganisms which are almost entirely bacteria mainly Streptococcus mutans and anaerobes (Examples for anaerobes include fusobacterium and Actinobacteria). The composition always varies depending on the location in the mouth. All the microorganisms which are present in denatl plaque are all naturally present in the oral cavity and are normally harmless.

Fighting plaque is a life long part of good dental hygiene. It can begin forming on teeth four and 12 hours after the last brushing. For that reason it is so important to brush at least twice a day and floss daily just to avoid the build up of a thick layer. Please also keep in mind that plaque which is 12 hours old is much less damaging than plaque which has not been removed in days.

Those microorganisms in the thick layer which are near the tooth surface convert to anaerobic respiration and it is in this state that they start to produce acids.

The acids which are released from dental plaque lead to demineralization of the adjacent tooth surface and consequently to dental caries. Just for the saliva it is not possible to penetrate the build up or to neutralize the acid produced by the bacteria - in order to remineralize the tooth surface.

If the dental plaque is not removed with regular brushing and flossing it will accumulate on the teeth become mineralized and from calculus known as tartar.

Tartar is also called calculus, which is a crusty deposit that can trap stains on the teeth and cause discoloration. It refers to hardened plaque by the presence of saliva, debris and minerals and is fairly easy to see above the gumline.

The most common sign of tartar is a yellow or brown color to teeth or gums. It is important to know that it is composed primarily of calcium salts.

You can feel it as a rough surface that provides an ideal growth for bacteria. Tartar gives plaque more surface area on which to grow and a much sticker surface to adhere.

Tartar can form at and underneath the gum line which leads to the irritation of the gum tissue.

Inflammation (swelling, bleeding and weakening) of this tissue may lead to the recession and infection of the bones and can cause the loosening and loss of teeth.

1. Supragingival (outside the gums)
It is a visible deposit that forms on the top of the teeth at the gum line. The color is very similar to that of the tooth. It happens that it changes color when in contact with colorings contained in foods like coffee, candies, tea or tobacco.

2. Subgingival (inside the gums)
It forms in pockets between the teeth and gums. It has a brownish color and is caused by elements that come from the blood and its debris. It adheres to the surface of the tooth at the root level.
The Subgingival tartar is more harmful as it facilitates a faster growthh fo bacteria.

But tartar is not just a health problem that makes us suffer, but also a cosmetic problem.

As explained above you should watch out in case you are a coffee or a tea drinker and even if you smoke. Because tartar is more porous it absorbs stains easily. For that reason it is also another good reason to prevent the tartar buildup.

Once it is formed it can only be removed by professional cleaning by your dentist. It should be done at least twice a year.

The best way to prevent the build up of calculus is to brush your teeth two or three times a day. Especially after meals.

The flossing is suggested to do before bedtime to clean carefully between the teeth to reduce plaque and tartar buildup.