Tartar is hardened plaque that can only be removed during a cleaning by a dental hygienist. The impact plaque can have on your oral health is easily treatable and even reversible. The damage caused by tartar can cost far more to repair and may be irreversible depending the severity of the damage done.
Scraping tarter off your own with other tools is not a good idea. Because these tools require special training to use properly, you could do more harm than good to your smile. Without proper training, you could injure your gums, which can lead to infection. In addition, harsh tools can damage the enamel on your teeth.
Can Gums Grow Back? If you were to ask any periodontist if gums can grow back after receding, they would tell you no, they cannot. As nice as it would be to have these soft tissues move back into their original position after treatment, the harsh reality is that they will not.
Tartar build-up can start to damage teeth within only a few months. The earlier tartar is removed, the better. If you develop periodontitis because of your tartar, gaps can form between the tooth and gums.
Dangers of DIY tartar scraping
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.
Tartar, besides causing discoloration of your teeth, also results in the development of gingivitis, an infection of your gums that needs lifelong maintenance if left untreated in the initial stages. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease.
Patients usually have some mild to moderate pain and sensitivity for the first day or two, along with a small amount of bleeding. Within a week the gums will start to heal and reattach to the roots of the teeth.
Gums generally take 5 to 7 days to fully heal after scaling. However, this time can vary depending on the severity of gum disease on the client and the scaling procedure's extent. After scaling, your gums may feel sensitive and irritated for a few days.
The cleaning might cause pain, and sensitivity in the treatment doesn't guarantee reattachment of your gums to the teeth. The cleaning might even cause further gum recession. Pain and sensitivity are familiar side effects after deep cleaning teeth.
If you take the broken piece out to observe it, you will notice it is yellow/brown in colour and very brittle, so much so that it will disintegrate into a powdery substance upon applying pressure. This will confirm the fact that it was a piece of tartar. There is not a lot to be concerned about at this stage.
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.
One of the most effective ways to keep tartar at bay is by brushing your teeth at least twice a day. Brushing will not actually remove tartar from your teeth, but it does remove plaque which eventually turns into tartar. It is often best to go with a toothpaste that comes with tartar control.
Glycerine and Aloe Vera
Both aloe vera and glycerine are one of the most common natural home remedies to fight against the thick layers of plaque and tartar build-up in your mouth. In addition to this, it can also help whiten and brighten your teeth.
Origins of Tartar
Yup, the calcium content in your saliva actually is the main source that form these barnacles in your mouth. Sugarary food and carbohydrates also induce more tartar formation much faster too. Tartar is actually the apartment complex for bacteria.
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.
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.
You may experience a few days of sore or bleeding gums. However, you'll be comfortable and essentially back to normal after that. The complete healing process can take several weeks, but you shouldn't experience any symptoms as your gums heal and reattach.
You may notice the teeth feel 'sharp' after cleaning. This usually is because the tongue has been accustomed to the feeling of the plaque or tartar filling the gaps between the teeth. You may notice 'black triangles' or gaps between the teeth. This will be more evident if you have gum recession or bone loss.
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.
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.
The best way to remove plaque and tartar is to practice good oral hygiene. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. They also recommend flossing once a day. Flossing first will remove pieces of food and plaque from between the teeth and hard-to-reach areas.
Gargling with salt water on a regular basis helps to remove bacteria from the gums, which can help reduce tartar and plaque buildup.