#1 Absolute Best Way to Stop Tartar

Summary

This video explains how to prevent tartar buildup by focusing on early plaque removal. It highlights the importance of understanding plaque, biofilms, pH balance, and hydration in maintaining oral health. The video also introduces natural methods such as NAC, xylitol, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and essential oils to disrupt bacteria and improve dental hygiene. Key habits like brushing before breakfast, flossing before brushing, and using natural products like coconut oil for oil pulling are recommended. The video emphasizes prevention and offers tips to help maintain a healthy mouth, potentially reducing the need for frequent dental cleanings.

Takeaways

• 😀 Brushing harder or more often doesn't necessarily fix tartar; it’s about addressing the root cause before it hardens.
• 😀 Plaque is a soft, sticky coating made of bacteria, food particles, and proteins from saliva, which can turn into tartar if not removed.
• 😀 Sugar and carbohydrates feed bacteria, creating lactic acid that lowers the mouth's pH, contributing to tartar formation.
• 😀 Dehydration leads to dry mouth, making the environment more acidic and allowing bacteria to thrive and plaque to become stickier.
• 😀 Regular brushing is important, but additional natural methods like NAC, xylitol, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide can help strengthen prevention.
• 😀 NAC (N-acetylcysteine) helps break down bacterial biofilm, loosening plaque and making it easier to remove during brushing.
• 😀 Xylitol, a sugar alcohol, inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria, stimulates saliva production, and makes the mouth feel slick and clean.
• 😀 Baking soda neutralizes acid and is mildly abrasive, but should be used no more than two to three times a week to avoid damaging enamel.
• 😀 Hydrogen peroxide kills anaerobic bacteria in the mouth by adding extra oxygen, but it should also be used sparingly to avoid soft tissue damage.
• 😀 Essential oils like neem, clove, and tea tree oil can be antibacterial, but should always be diluted in a carrier oil like coconut oil before use.

Q & A

What is tartar and how does it form on teeth?

Tartar, also known as dental calculus, is hardened plaque that forms on teeth when bacteria in the mouth produce a biofilm. This biofilm gets mineralized by calcium and phosphorus in saliva, turning soft plaque into a hard substance that is difficult to remove with regular brushing.

Why is plaque important in the formation of tartar?

Plaque is the precursor to tartar. It starts as a soft, sticky coating made up of bacteria and food particles. If plaque is not removed through regular brushing, it becomes mineralized over time, eventually turning into tartar.

What role does sugar and carbohydrates play in tartar formation?

Sugar and carbohydrates feed the bacteria in the mouth, causing them to produce lactic acid. This acid lowers the mouth's pH, leading to enamel erosion and providing minerals that help harden the plaque into tartar.

What is the significance of pH in preventing tartar buildup?

The pH level in the mouth should be slightly alkaline (7.2 to 7.4) for a healthy environment. Acidic conditions, caused by sugar and carbohydrates, create a favorable environment for bacteria to thrive, which accelerates tartar formation.

How does dehydration affect the formation of tartar?

Dehydration leads to a dry mouth, which reduces saliva production. Saliva helps wash away bacteria and plaque. Without enough saliva, bacteria thrive, plaque becomes stickier, and tartar forms more quickly.

What is N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and how can it help with tartar prevention?

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an amino acid that helps disrupt the biofilm created by bacteria in the mouth. By breaking down the bonds within the biofilm, NAC loosens the plaque, making it easier to remove through brushing.

What is xylitol, and how does it contribute to oral health?

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria like Streptococcus mutans, which contributes to plaque and tartar formation. It also makes it harder for bacteria to stick to the teeth, and it stimulates saliva production, which helps neutralize acids.

How does baking soda help with tartar prevention?

Baking soda neutralizes acids in the mouth and acts as a mild abrasive, helping to clean teeth. However, it should be used sparingly (two to three times a week) to avoid damaging the enamel due to its abrasive properties.

Why is hydrogen peroxide effective in preventing tartar buildup?

Hydrogen peroxide releases oxygen when used in the mouth, killing anaerobic bacteria that thrive in plaque. It helps oxygenate the mouth, making it an inhospitable environment for harmful bacteria and aiding in the prevention of tartar.

What are some herbs that can be used to fight bacteria and plaque in the mouth?

Essential oils from herbs such as neem, clove, tea tree, oregano, and cinnamon have natural antibacterial properties. When diluted properly, these oils can help fight plaque buildup and maintain oral health.