Plaque And Tartar On Teeth (Dental Calculus): Causes & Removal

Have you ever wondered why some people have yellow or black stains on their teeth? In most cases, these stains are due to plaque and tartar accumulation. Plaque and tartar are among the most common reasons for gum and periodontal disease, and may even cause tooth loss in the advanced stages. At the same time, plaque and tartar on teeth can also cause bad breath and affect one’s smile and facial aesthetics. 

So, what are plaque and tartar on teeth, and how can they be prevented? You will know more about it in this blog. So, read till the end to get your questions answered.  

What Is Dental Plaque?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, dental plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth. The plaque mainly comprises food debris and bacteria. Did you know that everyone gets plaque on their teeth? But every time we brush our teeth, we remove it. However, when one doesn’t brush their teeth regularly, this layer remains adherent to the teeth and promotes further bacterial accumulation, including disease-causing bacteria. This way, the dental plaque initiates a series of events that lead to gum disease and tooth decay. 

What Is The Difference Between Plaque And Tarter?

Dental plaque is the sticky layer that forms on our teeth. When we ignore regular brushing, this layer thickens and hardens to become dental calculus. Both plaque and calculus serve as ideal breeding places for harmful bacteria. These bacteria utilise the sugars in dental calculus and plaque and release toxins that damage our gums and teeth. 

How Do I Clean Plaque Off My Teeth?

Every time brush and floss, we remove the plaque adhering to our teeth. The problem begins when we don’t brush our teeth regularly. Over time, the plaque hardens into tartar. So, the best way to remove plaque from the teeth is to ensure optimal oral hygiene through regular brushing and flossing. 

Is It Dangerous To Have Tartar On A Tooth?

Tartar on teeth can lead to various dental problems. The toxins released from bacteria living in plaque and tartar attack the gums and cause gum disease. Similarly, these toxins make the oral cavity environment acid, which leads to the removal of minerals from our teeth. As a result, teeth become vulnerable to decay and cavities. In some cases, dental plaque-induced gum disease can also lead to tooth loss. 

Is Teeth Tartar Or Plaque Curable? If Yes, How Do I Cure It?

Dentists utilise various treatment options to manage gum disease caused by plaque and tartar. In the early stages, plaque-induced gum disease be reversed through strict oral hygiene care. In the later stages, your dentist will remove the tartar deposits from your teeth through professional teeth cleaning. In the advanced stages of gum disease, there is extensive gum recession and bone loss which is not reversible. In these cases, your dentist will perform procedures like gum or bone grafting to restore your oral health. 

Does Calculus On Teeth Smell?

One of the consequences of dental calculus is that causes bad breath. This is due to the degradation of the food debris and the products released by the disease-causing bacteria. The bad breath should go away once the underlying issue has been treated.

What Is The Best Way To Remove Plaque From Teeth?

Once plaque forms on the teeth, it can only be removed by a dentist through professional teeth cleaning, In this procedure, your dentist will use an ultrasonic scaler, whose tip vibrates at a very high frequency and removes the plaque. Afterwards, they will clean and polish the teeth to prevent re-infection in the future. 

Can I Use A Toothpick To Remove Plaque From My Teeth?

It is a common tendency to use a toothpick to remove plaque, tartar, or any other object stuck between the teeth. However, it is a very dangerous practice that will do more harm than good. A toothpick can injure your gums. So, the best way to remove plaque from your teeth is by brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and flossing.  

Why Is Tartar Not Removed With Brushing?

Dental tartar is hardened dental plaque. This means that is firmly adherent to the teeth, and it won’t be removed through brushing. The only way to remove dental calculus is through professional teeth cleaning. 

Does Teeth Cleaning Remove Bad Breath?

Did you know that one of the most common causes of bad breath is plaque-induced gum disease? So, one can get rid of bad breath once their dentist removes the tartar deposits from their teeth. 

How Does Flossing Help Your Bad Breath?

Flossing helps remove food debris from areas where the bristles of a toothbrush cannot penetrate effectively. For example, the tight spaces between two teeth can be effectively cleaned using dental floss. So, both brushing and floss are excellent options for teeth cleaning. 

What To Expect During Professional Teeth Cleaning?

During teeth cleaning for tartar removal, your dentist will use an ultrasonic scaler. The scaler has a tip that vibrates at ultrasonic frequencies to remove calculus from the teeth, both from above and below the gumline. Once all the teeth have been cleaned, your dentist will polish them so that the risk of plaque formation in the future is minimised. 

If you are looking for the best dentist in Surrey for teeth cleaning, you should consider Horsley Dental. We provide all dental services under one roof, which are performed by our team of highly qualified and experienced dentists. So, book a free consultation with us today and we will take care of the rest!