It’s unusual for parts of your teeth to start breaking away. But if you ever find yourself in a situation where a piece of your tooth suddenly falls inside your mouth, do not brush it away. Whether it happened when you were eating or flossing your teeth, a broken tooth isn’t always what it seems. It might as well be tartar breaking off the teeth instead of your actual tooth.
But what exactly is tartar, and how can you prevent it from breaking? In this blog, you will find everything you need to know about tartar and more.
What is Tartar?
When you eat something, it leaves behind bacteria particles in your mouth. These bacteria cling to your teeth, forming a slimy coating known as plaque. Usually, plaque can be cleaned by brushing and flossing your teeth. However, if plaque is left as it is, uncleaned, it can give way to tartar.
Tartar is, essentially, a hardened version of plaque. It is also known as dental calculus. Tartar tends to be quite strong and sturdy since it contains the minerals from your saliva. No matter how bothersome it might be, you can not remove tartar by yourself. Only a dental professional can manually scrape it away.
Can Tartar Break Off Teeth?
As surprising as it is, tartar can actually break off your teeth quite easily. Even though it is strong, it is not prone to chipping away. Sometimes, eating too many hard foods, brushing your teeth aggressively, or even flossing with an improper technique can trigger the breakage.
How Do You Know if it’s Tartar Breaking off Teeth or a Chipped Tooth?
It can be confusing to identify whether it’s tartar that fell off your tooth or the tooth itself that chipped. However, it is important to note that your teeth are extremely strong. The enamel wouldn’t just randomly break off. At least, not unless you accidentally fall or suffer from serious facial trauma.
Usually, it’s the tartar that breaks off the teeth, leaving behind jagged edges. Not to mention you can also check to see what color the broken piece is. For instance, a chipped tooth is usually white or a dull off-white. Tartar, on the other hand, ranges from brown to yellow and even black at times.
Additionally, you can try the pressure test, where you try to crush the broken tooth piece. Enamel will not break at all. However, tartar will easily crumble and give away under applied pressure.
Here’s What To Do If Tartar is Breaking off Your Teeth
It might be tempting to scrape off the tartar yourself, but doing so can further damage your oral health. When tartar breaks, it leaves behind a hollow area with sharp edges surrounding it. This can damage your gums and tongue if you’re not careful, which is why it is important to visit a dentist as soon as you notice tartar breaking off your teeth.
Tips to Prevent Tartar Buildup
Here are some tips you can try to prevent tartar buildup:
- Rinse your mouth for 30 seconds with antibacterial mouthwash.
- Visit your dentist two times every year.
- Make it a habit to brush and floss your gums twice a day.
- Avoid hard and sticky foods.
- Get dental sealants.
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
In A Nutshell
Tartar breaking off teeth may not seem dangerous, but it requires immediate dental care. Visit Smile Designs Dentistry at 295 Spreckels Ave, Manteca, CA 95336., for more information. We are located right next to Mihana Sushi. You can also call us at (209) 780-4777.
