Scaling the teeth at home can scratch the tooth enamel and cause sensitivity. DIY tartar scraping can damage the delicate gum tissue and may lead to gum recession. You can also injure your cheeks, tongue and mouth while using a scraper. Scraping off tartar at home can lead to gum infections.
While plaque needs to be removed to care for your teeth properly, it should never be attempted at home. Plaque scraping should always be performed by a dental professional, a dental hygienist or a dentist. Gum Recession. Because plaque scrapers are sharp, improper use can damage the delicate gum tissue.
Some toothpastes contain baking soda as it acts as a gentle abrasive to remove plaque from teeth. Make a paste by stirring a few drops of water with half a teaspoon of baking soda. Apply the paste to your teeth using your toothbrush and brush your teeth gently with the paste for one minute, then rinse well with water.
Not only are your teeth and gums in danger when you're forcing anything between them, but you're also spreading bacteria and opening yourself up to the risk of infection when you use something like a fingernail to clean your mouth.
Floss daily: Floss once a day with dental floss or a water flosser to get rid of food and plaque stuck between teeth. Studies show that flossing before brushing teeth removes more plaque. Brush twice a day: Brush teeth for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush (manual or powered) and fluoride toothpaste.
The acetic acid in white vinegar has antibacterial properties and promotes demineralization of tooth enamel, making it effective in removing tartar and plaque. Add half a teaspoon of salt to half a cup of water and add two teaspoons of white vinegar to it. Stir it well and gargle the mixture twice a day.
What Is Scraping? Scraping is a process that literally involves scraping away any plaque and tartar that's developed anywhere around your gum line. These are areas where bacteria collect and multiply, resulting in gum disease.
If the dentist or dental hygienist spots tartar on the surface of the teeth, they will remove it with an instrument called a scaler. A scaler is a device that has a hook on the end of it, and it is used to remove tartar above and below the gum line.
As mentioned earlier, tartar can only be removed by a professional. During the procedure, the dentist uses an ultrasonic device with a small nozzle to remove tartar from areas or spots that are hard to reach. The process of tartar removal may or may not be painful and is dependent on several factors.
Problems Caused By At-Home Plaque Scraping
In fact, dental hygienists and dentists go through years of extensive training to be able to do this. Because these tools are sharp, they can easily cause gum damage and recession, which is when your gums move away from your teeth and expose the sensitive roots.
You May Damage Your Enamel
However, the tartar isn't the only thing you may remove. Your tooth's enamel is under that tartar, and even though it is the hardest substance in the human body, it can be easily scratched with sharp tartar removal tools.
White Vinegar to Remove Tartar
Using white vinegar is another method that can cut through tartar. Start by mixing white vinegar in a glass of warm saltwater. This solution can then be gargled once a day to aide in the removal of tartar that has formed on the region between the teeth and gums.
Using a paste made of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is said to remove plaque buildup and bacteria to get rid of stains. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after brushing with this paste.
When plaque isn't removed from your teeth, it can harden into tartar, which is impossible to remove at home. Tartar is one of the substances that is scraped off during your dental cleaning. If tartar remains on the teeth, it can inflame the gums and cause them to recede.
Scraping is an essential task to thoroughly eliminate harmful plaque and tartar buildup in order to improve your oral health and your overall health. Typically, a dental hygienist uses a scaler to get rid of deposits around and under your gumline, and between and on the surface of your teeth.
Brushing your teeth with baking soda and salt softens the calculus, making it easy to remove. The mixture should smoothly be scrubbed on the teeth by using a toothbrush. Once done, wash your teeth with lukewarm water and gargle properly.
The best way to remove already existing hardened tartar on teeth is by seeking dental care. Dentists or dental hygienists use a special technique called scaling to remove hardened tartar from the teeth and below the gumline. Regularly flossing is another viable method to remove tartar.
Removing tartar can be painful if there is a large amount of tartar, if the gums are inflamed and / or the teeth are tender. Anesthesia is used whenever the patient feels the need for it. Anesthetic is applied to the gums using a topical anesthetic or a more effective local anesthetic.
Put a small amount of baking soda on your toothbrush (around a tablespoon is fine), and then wet the toothbrush. Brush your teeth like you normally would with toothpaste and then rinse. You can also replace a little bit of the baking soda with a pinch of salt and follow the same instructions.
In most cases, your gum tissue will not come back once you've lost it. It's gone for good. However, this doesn't mean you're completely out of luck. With the right periodontal treatment, you may be able to halt the progression of gum recession.
Aggressive brushing and eating food in a specific way can result in tartar breaking off teeth. If you feel something chipping away from your teeth, schedule an appointment with your dentist.