Does Tartar Control Toothpaste Work?

If tartar forms on your teeth, then it covers your enamel. This can make parts of your teeth look yellow or even brown. If you're having this kind of problem, then you may be thinking about using a tartar control toothpaste.

How does this kind of toothpaste work and will it get rid of your tartar deposits?

What Does a Tartar Control Toothpaste Do?

Tartar control toothpastes claim to be able to remove tartar deposits from the teeth. These toothpastes often contain abrasive substances that give a slightly rougher and deeper clean than standard toothpastes. They may also contain extra fluoride to build tooth strength.

The principle behind this kind of toothpaste is really about its abrasive qualities. Tartar is a hard substance that won't come off with regular pastes. A tartar formula gives you a harder clean on the basis that extra boosts removes the deposits.

Will a Tartar Toothpaste Work on Your Teeth?

The success you'll get from a tartar toothpaste depends on the extent of your problem. These toothpastes can be good at cleaning plaque off the teeth, perhaps even more effectively than regular toothpastes, because of their extra abrasion.

Plaque creates tartar, so using this kind of toothpaste may help prevent plaque causing buildup on your teeth. However, once the tartar is in place, you have a bigger problem. No toothpaste can remove all tartar deposits. Tartar sticks hard and is resistant to brushing, even if you add abrasion to the mix. So, you may see some of your tartar come off but not all of it. No amount of brushing will get rid of larger tartar deposits that have been in place for a long time.

You also need to be careful how you use a tartar control toothpaste. If you don't see results immediately, you may be tempted to buy a harder toothbrush and to brush your teeth more vigorously or more often.

This isn't likely to shift the tartar either. However, it may damage your teeth and make your gums sore. Brushing too hard and using too much abrasion can ultimately remove some of the enamel on your teeth.

If you do have tartar deposits, then it's important to deal with them rather than leave them in place. These deposits make it easier for plaque to stay on your teeth, which may give you problems down the line like tooth decay.

The most effective way to get rid of tartar is to see your dentist. They can clean the deposits off for you.

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