Only a dental professional can remove tartar. Extreme dental plaque and tartar can lead to: Cavities. Gingivitis and other forms of gum disease.
Clean using Baking soda– A mixture of baking soda and salt is an effective home remedy for dental calculus removal. 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.
If your dentist locates tartar, they will use a scaler to remove it. A scaler is a handheld device with a metal hook on one end. Think of a dental pick but professional grade. Scraping should be done by a dental professional to avoid damaging the enamel or cutting your gums.
The process of tartar removal may or may not be painful and is dependent on several factors. If you have sensitive teeth or diseases like gingivitis or periodontitis, removing tartar will be somewhat painful.
When you go the dentist's office for a routine cleaning you can expect to spend 30 minutes to an hour between the time with the dental hygienist and the dentist. During the visit the dental hygienist will remove plaque from your teeth.
So, can we reduce plaque buildup? "Making plaque disappear is not possible, but we can shrink and stabilize it," says cardiologist Dr. Christopher Cannon, a Harvard Medical School professor. Plaque forms when cholesterol (above, in yellow) lodges in the wall of the artery.
If not removed, the tartar will eventually become calcified, which is to say it will harden into a brittle layer. This hardened tartar is known as dental calculus. Bits of this calcified tartar may break off and enter the digestive system and further on into the person's blood.
Tartar removing toothpaste, baking soda, white vinegar and aloe vera all have antimicrobial properties which both treat and prevent tartar. The remaining at-home remedies focus on preventing plaque from hardening.
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. The mixture should be made from two tablespoons of white vinegar into a cup of warm water with dissolved salt.
Because plaque scrapers are sharp, improper use can damage the delicate gum tissue. Trauma to the gum tissue isn't just painful, it can also cause receding gums, exposing the sensitive roots of the teeth. The sharp plaque scraper could also cause injuries to your cheeks, tongue, or other soft tissues.
There is not a lot to be concerned about at this stage. However, after tartar breaks away, it leaves a sharp edge inside the mouth that can injure the tongue and gums and cause significant discomfort.
Over time, the plaque accumulates and hardens into tartar, which usually stays on the teeth until professional cleaning removes it. Once in a while, tiny pieces of tartar can break away from your teeth. The sudden appearance of hard little chips in your mouth may naturally cause you to think that you've broken a tooth.
What Causes Plaque and Why Is It Harmful? Plaque develops when foods containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches), such as milk, soft drinks, raisins, cakes, or candy are frequently left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result.
Some people may find that their teeth feel looser after having the treatment. This is because removing the tartar from the pockets between the gums and teeth creates a gap between the two, which can cause the teeth to feel loose. Over time, the gums should reattach to the teeth, making the teeth feel more secure.
The best way to remove the build-up of plaque and tartar on your teeth is by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Daily flossing and using an antiseptic mouthwash will help to keep bacteria at bay in hard-to-reach areas.
This newer procedure uses a catheter (tube) with a device at the end that sends pressure waves out to make the calcification come apart. After the procedure, your provider can put in a stent (small metal tube) to keep your artery open.
Failing to Use Mouthwash
Plaque builds up everywhere in the mouth, including hard to reach places where your brush cannot properly clean. Using an antibacterial mouthwash after brushing can eliminate those pockets of bacteria in your mouth missed while scrubbing your teeth, tongue, and gums.
When plaque isn't removed from your teeth, it can harden into tartar. In the early stages, tartar is usually a yellow color, but if left untreated even longer, it can result in brown, green, or black tartar. Tartar that occurs below the gumline is black.
If tartar broke off while flossing, take it as a sign that you need to review your oral hygiene routine and schedule a checkup/cleaning with your dental office. Taking action right away can help prevent further deterioration of your gums, teeth and overall oral health.
Like plaque, tartar can contribute to developing gingivitis and periodontal disease. But unlike plaque, simple brushing and flossing won't do much to remove tartar. Tartar fuses to the enamel of your teeth, making it a permanent dental issue that only a professional can remove.
When plaque builds up on your teeth, it eats away the enamel, causing cavities and decay. Plaque buildup can even cause gingivitis or severe periodontal (gum) disease. If the plaque becomes tartar, its bacteria can cause bad breath and turn your teeth yellow.
An ultrasonic tooth cleaner may be the perfect option if you are looking for a safe and affordable way to keep your teeth clean. While there are some opinions about whether these devices work better than traditional brushing methods, the bottom line is that they can be just as effective when used correctly.
Poor oral hygiene: Most commonly, plaque and tartar buildup is the result of bad dental habits. Great oral hygiene is needed to clean away these particles on a daily basis. Snacking habits: The more often you snack throughout the day, the more fuel your natural oral bacteria have to create plaque and tartar.