Dental Calculus and Tartar

Tartar or Dental Calculus and Dental disease.  Highlands Ranch Dentist

Dental Calculus (tartar) is a petrifaction (crystallization) ofdental plaque with calcium ions provided by the immersion of the dental plaque with calcium phosphate minerals contained in your salvia.

Calculus can:

• Occur supra-gingival (above the gums)
• Sub gingival (under the gums)
• Adjacent to salivary glands initially
• In advanced cases spreads to all teeth above and below the gum line
• Is a contributing factor for gum (periodontal) disease.

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Periodontal disease and calculus ... Highlands Ranch Dental patients

The plaque contained on the dental calculus is what can cause periodontal disease. Please refer to our other blog writings on periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss and is the major reason adults loose their teeth

From a purely scientific perspective scientists are not positive if calculus in the cause or... the result of periodontal inflammation

Calculus is affected by

• Oral hygiene
• Professional care
• Diet
• Age
•  Ethnicity
• Systemic disease
• Medicines

Prevention and treatment is from... see you Highlands ranch Dentists Dr's DeLapp

• Seeing your dentist and hygienist for professional removal
• Brushing 
•  Fossing
• Use of tooth pastes and mouth rinses which contain chemicals that delay the plaque calcifications deposits

How do tartar control toothpastes work

They work by delaying plaque calcification deposits.  It keeps the plaque in an amorphosis state making it easier to remove by brushing and flossing. This means that the crystals formed are not uniform and not very strong

Please feel free to contact our Highlands Ranch Dentists, Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp for an appointment. Our Highlands Ranch Dentists also see dental patients in Ken Caryl, Parker, Lone Tree, Castle Pines and the Greater Denver area. Call (303) 694-9740  for an appointment today!