Tartar removal

Many people, when they discover tartar, try to get rid of it themselves by picking it off with a needle, pin, or even a knife. Not only is this very dangerous, it can also lead to injury to the gums and damage to the enamel. Others use too hard toothbrushes in the hope that they will reduce the possibility of hard plaque deposition. But this method also has negative consequences, in the form of constant injury to the gums (especially for those who have sensitive gums). Tartar removal should only be performed by specialists in specialized dental offices or clinics. They will do it quickly, efficiently, and completely painlessly. What are the methods for removing hard plaque, how is the procedure for its removal performed, and is it possible to remove tartar at home? We will answer all these questions in our article.

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Is it necessary to remove tartar?

It would seem, how can tartar be dangerous if it doesn’t even hurt? These deposits consist of minerals, bacteria and food debris that have hardened like cement. This whole explosive mixture disrupts the acid balance in the mouth, which leads to the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, gum inflammation, increased likelihood of caries and, as a result, bad breath. Do you think that’s all? No! Growing, the hardened plaque presses on the soft part of the gum, exposing the root of the tooth. This leads to loosening of the teeth and subsequent periodontosis. If periodontosis is not treated, you can lose completely healthy teeth. From all of the above, the answer suggests itself that it is necessary to remove hard plaque, and without fail!

Methods of removing tartar

In our time of advanced technologies, there are an incredible number of ways to remove tartar, and even their combinations. We will consider the most basic ones.

1. Mechanical removal of hard plaque.
2. Removal of tartar using ultrasound.
3. Laser removal of hard plaque.
4. Removal using the Air Flow procedure.
5. Chemical removal of hardened plaque.

Now let's look at each of the methods in more detail.

The procedure for removing tartar using a conservative method (mechanically)

The principle of this method is to chip off the hard plaque manually using a special spoon. This is a fairly traumatic method of removal and is now practically not practiced anywhere. Except perhaps in old state clinics. But there is one advantage to this method - it is the cheapest.

Ultrasonic tartar removal

The most common method. The procedure for removing hardened plaque using this method is carried out using a special ultrasonic device that destroys it. In this case, its removal occurs contactlessly, only the nozzle of the device touches the surface of the tooth. Additionally, with this method, the surface of the tooth is treated with a strong stream of water with air, due to which even the smallest fragments of hard plaque "bounce off". The method of removing tartar using ultrasound is less traumatic, but patients with sensitive gums note slight discomfort during the procedure. But there is an opinion that ultrasound is not as safe as it is advertised, since it is still vibration, and it is impossible to predict what damage will be caused to the teeth themselves. The ultrasonic method of removing hardened plaque is available in good dental offices and all private dental clinics, while its cost is average.

Laser removal of tartar

A fairly new, but the most atraumatic method of removing hard plaque. When laser removing tartar, its destruction is carried out by a special laser, which does not affect the tooth enamel and gums. In addition, the laser also has an antiseptic effect, due to which the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria is prevented in the oral cavity. And that's not all! The laser has the ability to whiten teeth. That is why the laser method of removing hardened plaque is the best. Unfortunately, not all dental clinics can still provide such a service. Since the installations for removing hard plaque with a laser are quite expensive. Accordingly, the cost of the procedure will differ significantly on the higher side.

Air Flow Tartar Removal

Usually, the Air Flow removal procedure is combined with the ultrasonic method. Its principle is to treat the tooth surface with a strong stream of water with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). This method is often called sandblasting. It is impossible to remove large and thick areas of hard plaque using this method, so they are first removed with ultrasound. The Air Flow tartar removal method ideally removes soft plaque and small deposits of hard supragingival deposits, so it is best used for preventive purposes. Although the tooth surface is treated with baking soda, it is still an abrasive method, so there is a certain probability of trauma to tooth enamel and gums.

Chemical method of removing tartar

The chemical method of removing hard plaque uses special solutions of alkalis and acids that dissolve tartar. This is a fairly aggressive method, since there is a high probability of damaging the gums with concentrated chemicals. Nowadays, this method is used quite rarely and only when other methods cannot be used for some reason.

Is it painful to remove tartar?

This question cannot be answered unequivocally, since gum sensitivity varies from person to person. Generally speaking, the mechanical method is the most unpleasant, the ultrasound method is practically painless, and the laser method is the leader, it does not cause any discomfort at all.

Tartar removal during pregnancy

Many people wonder whether it is possible to remove hard plaque during pregnancy? We answer. In principle, it is possible, but only if you do not have a phobia of dental clinics. Anxiety and stress are transmitted to your child, and his pulse increases. The removal process itself will not cause any harm. Only anesthesia cannot be used (in the first trimester of pregnancy).

Removing tartar with folk remedies

What to do if you have a real phobia of dentist chairs? You can try home removal of hard plaque using folk methods. Of course, they will not give any guarantee, but as they say, "trying is not torture." So, in this difficult matter we will be helped by:

• rubbing teeth with a strong decoction of walnut branches several times a day;
• use a decoction of linden flowers and empty sunflower baskets to rinse the mouth;
• internal use of a decoction of horsetail (drink 2-3 times a day for a 20-day course);
• internal use of a decoction of bean pods and burdock (drink 3 times a day);
• frequent consumption of lemons and radishes.

Whatever method of removing tartar you choose, it is always better than ignoring its appearance. Be healthy!

Tartar removal price

What is the cost of the tartar removal procedure? The price of removing hardened plaque varies greatly and depends on the location of the procedure, the chosen method and the condition of the oral cavity. You can even remove hard plaque for free at a district clinic by taking a ticket, but if possible, it is better to go to a good dental clinic that has all the necessary equipment for safe and high-quality service. In Ukraine, the average price for removing tartar using ultrasound + Air Flow teeth treatment is 300-600 UAH. If you want to save money, then on the Internet, on special sites, you can buy promotional coupons for discounts in well-known dental clinics.