That gritty, stubborn film clinging to your teeth—the one that brushing and flossing seem to barely touch? That’s tartar, also known as dental calculus, and it’s a formidable foe in the battle for a healthy smile.
While you might be diligent with your at-home oral hygiene routine, the unfortunate truth is that once tartar takes hold, you can’t effectively remove it yourself. Understanding why this is the case involves delving into the nature of plaque, the formation of tartar, and the specialized tools and expertise required for professional teeth cleaning.
How Does Tartar Form?
The journey from a clean tooth surface to a hardened layer of tartar begins with plaque. This sticky, colourless film is a biofilm of bacteria that constantly forms in your mouth. These bacteria thrive on the sugars and starches in the food and drinks you consume.
As they metabolize these substances, they produce acids that can erode your tooth enamel, leading to cavities and gum disease. Regular brushing and flossing are crucial for disrupting and removing this plaque layer before it can cause significant damage.
Why Is It So Hard to Remove?
However, even with meticulous brushing and flossing, some plaque can be missed, particularly in hard-to-reach areas like the back teeth, along the gumline, and between teeth. When plaque isn’t removed promptly, it begins to harden through a process called mineralization.
This process involves the deposition of minerals from your saliva, such as calcium phosphate, into the plaque biofilm. Over time, this mineral buildup transforms the soft, easily removable plaque into the tenacious, rough substance we know as tartar.
Think of it like this: initially, plaque is like soft clay that can be easily washed away. But as minerals from your saliva seep into it, it starts to solidify, becoming more like cement. Once this “cement” has set, your toothbrush and floss simply aren’t strong enough to break it down and remove it effectively.
The hardened structure of tartar firmly adheres to the tooth surface, creating a rough and porous environment that actually encourages even more plaque and bacteria to accumulate.
This is where the expertise of a dental hygienist becomes indispensable.
How Do the Professionals Remove Tartar?
Dentists and dental hygienists possess the specialized instruments designed to safely and effectively remove tartar without damaging your teeth. These tools, often made of stainless steel, come in various shapes and sizes, each meticulously crafted to access different surfaces of your teeth and along the gumline.
1. Scalers
One of the primary instruments used is a scaler. Scalers have sharp, angled tips that allow the hygienist to carefully scrape away the hardened tartar deposits from the tooth surface.
Different types of scalers are used for various locations and the tenacity of the tartar. For instance, sickle scalers are often used for removing supragingival tartar (above the gumline), while curettes, with their rounded toes, are better suited for subgingival tartar (below the gumline) and root planing.
2. Ultrasonic Scalers
Another crucial tool is the ultrasonic scaler. This device utilizes high-frequency vibrations and a stream of water to dislodge and flush away tartar and plaque. The gentle vibrations break down the hardened deposits, making them easier to remove, while the water helps to rinse away debris and keep the area clean.
Why Can’t I Try Removing Tartar Myself at Home?
Attempting to remove tartar at home with regular oral hygiene tools or even with misguided DIY methods can be detrimental to your oral health.
- Danger to teeth. Using sharp objects or abrasive substances can scratch your enamel, the protective outer layer of your teeth. This damage can lead to increased sensitivity, making your teeth more susceptible to decay and staining.
- Danger to gums. Furthermore, aggressive scrubbing can irritate your gums, causing inflammation and recession, which can ultimately expose the roots of your teeth.
- Lack of accessibility. Beyond the difficulty of physically removing the hardened tartar, there’s also the issue of accessing all the areas where it tends to accumulate. Tartar often forms in those hard-to-reach spots that even the most diligent brushers and flossers can miss. Dental professionals have the training and specialized instruments to navigate these areas effectively, ensuring a thorough teeth cleaning that removes all traces of tartar, both above and below the gumline.
What Happens If I Don’t Remove Tartar?
Further damage. The presence of tartar isn’t just an aesthetic concern. Its rough surface provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. These bacteria continue to produce acids that attack your enamel and irritate your gums.
Oral diseases. Over time, this can lead to gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. Symptoms include gums that are swollen and bleeding and appear redder than normal. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease that can damage the bone and tissues supporting your teeth. This can eventually lead to tooth loss.
Bad breath. Moreover, tartar can also contribute to bad breath (halitosis) due to the trapped bacteria and their byproducts. Removing tartar professionally not only improves the health of your gums and teeth but can also significantly freshen your breath.
What Can I Do to Prevent Tartar Buildup?
While you can’t remove existing tartar at home, you play a vital role in preventing its formation in the first place. Consistent and effective brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, along with daily flossing, is paramount. These actions disrupt the plaque biofilm before it has a chance to harden into tartar.
Furthermore, paying attention to your diet can also help. Limiting sugary and starchy foods and drinks reduces the fuel source for the bacteria in plaque.
Regular dental checkups and professional cleanings are also essential preventative measures. Your dental hygienist can remove any tartar that has formed and provide personalized advice on improving your at-home oral hygiene techniques.
Understanding the myths and facts about plaque can further empower you to take proactive steps in maintaining a healthy smile.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to remember that professional teeth cleaning is not just about removing visible stains. While it can contribute to a brighter smile, especially when combined with procedures like teeth whitening, its primary focus is on removing plaque and tartar to prevent and manage oral health issues.
In conclusion, while your daily oral hygiene routine is crucial for preventing plaque buildup, once tartar forms, it’s a job best left to the professionals. The hardened nature of tartar and its tenacious grip on your teeth require specialized tools and expertise to remove safely and effectively. Regular visits to your dentist for professional teeth cleaning are an indispensable part of maintaining a healthy, happy smile. Don’t let tartar trouble you—schedule your next cleaning today!
For expert teeth cleaning and comprehensive dental care, contact Springdale Dental Centre at (905) 458-1212.