You wake up one fine day and find a chipped tooth in your mouth. Before you dread the worst, try to see whether it really is a part of your tooth or just hardened plaque. Calcified plaque or tartar breaking off from the back of teeth is quite common, so let’s understand what to do if something of this kind happens all of a sudden.
Tartar Breaking Off Teeth – What Happens When Tartar Breaks Off?
It is not possible to remove tartar from teeth without a dentist. Tartar chipping off will leave a sharp spot behind on the tooth inside your mouth. You may think that breaking off the leftover calculus-tartar by yourself is a good option, but it can seriously damage gum tissues and teeth.
So, tartar removal from teeth yourself is not a good idea; it can pave the way to other oral issues such as sensitivity or bleeding gums. Instead, you must immediately set up an appointment with the dentist.
Is it Tartar Breaking Off Or A chipped Tooth Falling – How To Be Sure What It Is?
Human teeth are one of the sturdiest structures present inside the mouth. It is neither normal nor expected for teeth to break off inside the mouth without any reason. However, you may feel like a tooth bit breaks from teeth while doing activities such as brushing or flossing, which is, in fact, tartar.
One way is to examine the chipped piece you think is a tooth. If you see brown, dull yellow, or partly black area, it is most likely tartar. Moreover, apply pressure to the piece. If it breaks up, then you have tartar in your hand. They tend to break under mild pressure, whereas tooth enamel takes a lot of force to break.
Preventing Tartar Build-Up
You can avert this situation by preventing tartar build-up in the first place. Here are some tips that might help:
- Spend about 2 minutes brushing your teeth.
- Regularly clean in between your teeth with the help of interdental cleaners.
- Properly rinse your mouth with a mouthwash.
- Do not skip regular deep dental cleanings and check-ups with the dentist twice a year.
Top 3 Ways to Gradually Remove Tartar from the Back of Your Teeth
Use of White Vinegar and Water
Vinegar is not like regular fluids; it has a strong taste and is not the best to gargle. However, white vinegar’s anti-bacterial nature can help prevent plaque and calcified tartar.
Baking soda
Baking soda has dual actions; it can make your teeth whiter and neutralize a cavity, causing acid. Few kinds of toothpaste have baking soda as an abrasive ingredient to remove tartar from teeth before it starts breaking off.
Aloe Vera
It works like magic. However, you must know how to use it appropriately. Mix one teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel in four teaspoons of glycerin, 4 tbs baking soda, a drop of lemon oil, and a cup of water. Once you prepare this, use it to clean your teeth.
Final Takeout
Tartar breaking off from teeth may feel like a chipped tooth, but it is not. Aggressive brushing is one of the reasons why tartar or calculus starts breaking off teeth. If you cannot distinguish the stony material and believe that it’s your tooth chipped off, call experts from Noble Smile Family and Cosmetic Dentistry for help.
FAQs
What Should You Do When Tartar Breaks Off? We cannot remove tartar at home; only a qualified and experienced dentist should be trusted to do so. Tartar breaking off teeth will leave a sharp spot behind. It might be tempting to break the leftover tartar by ourselves, but it can damage gums and teeth.
Is it good if tartar breaks off? ›
While not the worst, tartar accumulation to the point it breaks off poses a serious risk to your dental health. Along with gum diseases, it can permanently damage part of your teeth with a side of gum diseases that aren't fun to deal with.
Can you chip off tartar? ›
Tartar is a hard and brittle substance that can easily break off from your teeth due to several reasons. One of the most common reasons for tartar to break off is while munching on something hard or crunchy. Aggressive brushing with a hard bristle toothbrush can also cause tartar to dislodge from your teeth.
What helps break up tartar on teeth? ›
Baking soda can prevent and treat tartar buildup on your teeth. Also called sodium bicarbonate, it helps by softening tartar. It also balances the acids in your mouth that create plaque and stop it from turning into tartar. As it is mildly abrasive, it's an effective option to scrub away stains and whiten your teeth.
Can tartar make your teeth fall out? ›
Left untreated, gingivitis inflammation can develop into a more severe type of gum disease, periodontitis, with bacteria turning to plaque, and untreated plaque hardening into tartar. If you don't eliminate tartar and plaque, gum tissue can recede, and your teeth may loosen and fall out.
What does tartar look like when it breaks off teeth? ›
If you see brown, dull yellow, or partly black area, it is most likely tartar. Moreover, apply pressure to the piece. If it breaks up, then you have tartar in your hand. They tend to break under mild pressure, whereas tooth enamel takes a lot of force to break.
How long does it take for tartar to destroy teeth? ›
Tartar build-up can start to damage teeth within only a few months. The earlier tartar is removed, the better. If you develop periodontitis because of your tartar, gaps can form between the tooth and gums.
Do gums heal after tartar removal? ›
You may experience a few days of sore or bleeding gums. However, you'll be comfortable and essentially back to normal after that. The complete healing process can take several weeks, but you shouldn't experience any symptoms as your gums heal and reattach.
Why are pieces of my teeth breaking off? ›
So, are your teeth breaking off into pieces? Dehydration, poor oral hygiene, genetic conditions, hard food, and more. If your teeth are chipping away, talk to a dental expert immediately before it becomes worse. At Smile 4 Ever Dentistry, we have promising treatments for your dental issues.
Does tartar removal hurt? ›
No, plaque removal is typically painless. However, some people may experience mild discomfort or sensitivity during the procedure. This is because the dental professional is scraping away plaque and tartar from your teeth, which can cause some sensitivity.
Using hydrogen peroxide in caring for teeth and gums eliminates harmful bacteria. This cuts down the formation of plaque and tartar. This powerful antiseptic can deteriorate the bacteria in plaque. Some dentists use hydrogen peroxide as a more efficient way to remove the plaque and tartar from teeth.
What toothpaste dissolves tartar? ›
TartarEnd® removes tartar below the gum-line at home. Studies show and dentists report gum pocket depths are reduced by 2-4 mm in 3 months. Proven to stop bleeding gums and bad breath. Safe for tooth enamel, crowns, fillings, bridges, and other dental appliances.
Does salt break down tartar? ›
Gargling with salt water on a regular basis helps to remove bacteria from the gums, which can help reduce tartar and plaque buildup.
What should I do if tartar breaks off? ›
If this happens, schedule a visit with a dentist right away. While tartar buildup isn't an emergency, it's best to remove it as soon as possible to avoid issues like cavities and gum disease.
Can you pick tartar off teeth? ›
Can I Remove Tartar Myself? Unfortunately, once plaque hardens into tartar, it is not likely a toothbrush and floss will remove it. Scraping tarter off your own with other tools is not a good idea. Because these tools require special training to use properly, you could do more harm than good to your smile.
Does tartar rot teeth? ›
Tartar and plaque its predecessor can wreak havoc on your dental health. Combined together, tartar and plaque cause bad breath from bacterial buildup, destroy tooth enamel, the hard exterior of the teeth leading to tooth sensitivity and tooth loss, and promote gum disease.
Do gums heal after tartar? ›
Deep cleaning removes plaque and tartar below the gum line, allowing the gums to heal around the teeth. It takes about seven days for the gums to heal. Complete healing and re-attachment can take up to 6 or 8 weeks.
What happens to gap after tartar removal? ›
Eventually, when we remove them, you may feel gaps between your teeth which was filled with tartar. A small part of the gums may fill some of the space present if you maintain it well now on. Get regular teeth cleaning done to avoid such situations.
Does tartar have to be scraped off? ›
While it is not recommended to scrape tartar off your own teeth, there are safe and effective ways to remove and prevent it at home. Ensure to brush, floss, and visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings to keep your teeth clean and healthy.
Does tartar remove itself? ›
The Indian Dental Association (IDA) recommends consulting a dentist for dental tartar removal, as the plaque once hardened into tartar, cannot be removed by regular brushing. One may be tempted by home remedies that claim to be effective in removing tartar from teeth.
