Tartar
Tartar is plaque, which is mineralized and traps bacteria. It develops when plaque in the form of food remains on the tooth surfaces and is solidified by the minerals in the saliva. Therefore, tartar occurs primarily near the excretory ducts of the salivary glands, which are located on the front teeth of the lower jaw and the outside of the upper molars.
If the tartar in the gum pockets lies under the gum, it is called concrement. An increased tartar infestation of the teeth favors an inflammation of the gums due to the accumulation of bacteria, which increases around the tartar affected teeth. In addition, concrements under the gums have the potential to cause periodontitis and to break down the bone, allowing tooth loosening or even tooth loss. Some people have a genetically increased tendency to tartar due to their saliva composition and mineral content. Especially for these patients, but also for everyone else, it is important to have tartar removed professionally by a dentist on a regular basis.
Plaque
Tooth plaque is food residue that sticks to the tooth surfaces after eating. Tooth plaque can initially be rinsed off with water, for example. However, if they adhere to the tooth surface for a longer time, they cannot be rinsed off and can only be removed by mechanical friction.
The minerals in saliva cause them to solidify and tartar forms. This creates a vicious circle: due to a lack of oral hygiene, plaque develops, tartar manifests itself and this promotes the long-term deposition of food residues. This underlines the importance of thorough dental care, especially after meals.In the final analysis, the risk of inflammation in the oral cavity is increased by the presence of plaque. Since these can cause systemic problems as a possible complication, thorough oral hygiene should be taken seriously.
Plaque
Plaque is a synonym for dental plaque. You can find further information here: Plaque
Lack of oral hygiene
The main cause of inflammatory diseases within the oral cavity is the lack of oral hygiene. This includes uncomplicated gum inflammation, but also the consequence of gum inflammation without treatment: periodontitis. The lack of oral hygiene leads to an imbalance in the oral cavity: due to the larger number of food residues remaining in the oral cavity, the bacteria have more substrate to multiply.
Gingivitis is primarily caused by bacterial plaque, which, if left in the mouth for a long time, infects the gums and causes discomfort. The pH – value in the oral cavity changes from a neutral to an acidic range, because acids are produced during the decomposition of food residues by the bacteria. These acids damage the gums and the body tries to fight the pests.
The result is gum inflammation due to the increased emission of inflammatory mediators by the body. The gums swell, redden, look warm and hurt. Bleeding often occurs when brushing teeth due to mechanical irritation.
Without treatment, the swelling can cause so-called pseudo-pockets, in which the bacteria settle and lead to mucous membrane proliferation. Therapeutically, the gums can be cleaned by a professional dental cleaning, so that the plaque and thus the bacteria are removed. After the procedure, the symptoms are quickly relieved.
