Can Water Flosser Remove Tartar?

It is essential to understand the need for healthy oral hygiene. Maintaining good oral health is vital to preventing cavities and gum diseases. Food particles get stuck between the teeth, and regular flossing is required to keep the teeth and gum healthy.

What is Tartar?

You can’t eradicate bacteria from your mouth even with regular cleaning. The mouth bacteria mix with proteins and other food products. It then forms a sticky film called dental plaque. This sticky film coats the teeth, gets under the gum line and sticks to the fillings.

Plaque is filled with bacteria that can damage the tooth enamel and result in cavities. 

If plaque is not removed from the teeth, it can harden and lead to tartar. Tartar is also known as calculus. It can form below and above the gum line. It is rough and porous.  

Tartar makes it challenging to brush and floss. Without proper oral hygiene, it can lead to cavities and tooth decay. And if not resolved quickly, it can progress to gum disease. 

Does Water Flosser Remove Tartar?

Dental professionals are the best at removing tartar from the teeth. While a water flosser cannot remove tartar, it can avert the formation of tartar. 

A water flosser removes plaque which prevents tartar formation. Water flossers remove food particles and bacteria stuck in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. It works by propelling a pressurized stream of water at the teeth. By doing this, the water flosser helps reduce the teeth' bacterial load, preventing tartar formation. 

How to Prevent Tartar Buildup?

It is better to prevent the buildup of tartar than to deal with it. Tips that can help you prevent tartar buildup in the mouth include:

• Brush regularly

Brushing twice daily for two minutes is ideal for removing plaque and preventing tartar. To prevent plaque buildup in the teeth, you should use a brush with soft bristles. The bristles should be small enough to fit into the mouth. You should clean the hard-to-reach surfaces behind the teeth and molars when brushing.

• Water floss

Flossing is essential to maintaining perfect oral hygiene. There are mouth corners the toothbrush cannot reach. You must floss to clear the plaque in those areas and prevent tartar formation. Water flossing is the best flossing option to do this. Water flossers can reach all the corners of the mouth. They help remove food debris and plaque in the teeth. This way, you can avoid tartar formation. 

• Use electric toothbrushes 

Electronic toothbrushes are better at removing plaque and reducing tartar than manual models. An electronic toothbrush cleans the teeth at high speeds. It removes all the plaque buildup in the teeth. 

• Avoid smoking

Cigarette smokers and tobacco users are more likely to have tartar. Smoking and chewing tobacco are very unhealthy for the teeth. Smoking stains the enamel and makes the teeth susceptible to infections. It also makes the gum easy to inflame. The leaching of the enamel is very unhealthy for a smoker because it exposes the gum. You should avoid smoking to prevent tartar formation. 

• Use mouthwash 

Using a mouthwash can also help to prevent tartar buildup. It is advisable to use fluoride-containing mouthwash after each meal. You can gargle with mouthwash if you don’t brush after each meal. Using mouthwash helps to remove all the extra food debris in the mouth. And this will help reduce the bacterial load in the mouth.