What is Tooth Tartar? Tooth Tartar Removal
Dental tartar is a layer of plaque that accumulates on the surface of the teeth and hardens over time when oral hygiene is not paid enough attention. This layer can stick to the surface of the teeth and cause gum diseases and tooth decay. Tooth tartar cleaning is a procedure that should be performed regularly to maintain dental health and oral hygiene. Daily hygiene habits such as regular brushing, flossing and mouthwash are very important to prevent the formation of tartar. However, when these measures are not enough, professional cleaning by a dentist is required. Failure to remove tartar can lead to serious problems such as gum disease, tooth loss and bad breath. Dentists often use ultrasonic devices and hand instruments to remove tartar. These devices effectively remove tartar adhering to the surface of the teeth and provide a smooth surface of the teeth. Tooth tartar removal is vital both for a more aesthetically pleasing smile and for maintaining oral health. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings prevent the formation of tartar and keep teeth healthy. As a result, tartar can lead to serious dental problems and therefore needs to be removed regularly.
What is Tooth Tartar?
Dental tartar is a layer of plaque that accumulates and hardens on the surface of the teeth. Plaque is formed when food residues and bacteria come together. Over time, these plaques harden by combining with minerals in saliva and become tartar. Tartar settles on the gums and between the teeth, creating a structure that is difficult to clean. This can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Tartar can be prevented by regular brushing and flossing. However, when it forms, it requires professional cleaning.
Causes of Tooth Tartar
Causes of dental tartar include poor oral hygiene, irregular brushing and lack of flossing. In addition, frequent consumption of high-sugar and starchy foods increases plaque formation. Smoking and using tobacco products also contribute to tartar formation. Tartar, which hardens when the minerals in saliva combine with plaque, damages the tooth surface and gums over time. Inadequate oral care causes tartar to accumulate rapidly and threaten dental health.
Symptoms of Tooth Tartar
Symptoms of dental tartar usually appear as yellowish or brown spots on the surface of the teeth. Swelling, redness and bleeding gums are indicators that tartar has accumulated at the gum line. Bad breath and tooth sensitivity are also common symptoms. Tartar can cause gum recession and loosening of the teeth, which can lead to more serious gum disease. By assessing these symptoms, your dentist can identify tartar buildup and the damage it causes.
Harm of Tooth Tartar
The harm of tartar starts with gum disease and tooth decay. Tartar can cause gingivitis (gingivitis), which can progress to more serious gum diseases such as periodontitis. Gum disease can have serious consequences, including the loss of teeth. Tartar build-up can also cause bad breath (halitosis) and tooth sensitivity. The damage caused by tartar to the surface of the teeth and gums can become irreversible without regular cleaning and care.
How to Avoid Tooth Tartar
Prevention of tartar includes regular oral hygiene and healthy eating habits. Here are the things to watch out for:
- Regular tooth brushing: Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.
- Flossing: Floss daily to clean between teeth.
- Mouthwash Prevent plaque build-up by using antibacterial mouthwashes.
- Balanced diet: Avoid sugary and starchy foods and eat healthy foods.
- Regular dental check-ups: Visit your dentist every six months for a professional cleaning.
Cleaning Tooth Tartar
Dental tartar removal is a professional procedure performed by dentists. This cleaning ensures that tartar is completely removed from the teeth and that the teeth remain healthy. Dentists remove tartar using ultrasonic devices and hand instruments. Ultrasonic cleaning effectively breaks down and removes tartar from the teeth. Cleaning with hand instruments provides a thorough cleaning of the teeth. Smoothing and polishing the tooth surface after cleaning delays tartar formation and improves the aesthetic appearance of the teeth.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Ultrasonic cleaning is an effective method used to remove dental tartar. In this process, high-frequency sound waves break down tartar and remove it from the tooth surface. Ultrasonic devices remove tartar quickly and painlessly. This method is especially effective in removing tartar below the gum line. Ultrasonic cleaning makes the tooth surface smooth and delays the formation of tartar.
Cleaning with Hand Tools
Removal with hand instruments involves the manual removal of dental tartar. Dentists scrape the tartar from the tooth surface using special tools called scalers. This method is particularly effective in removing tartar from the gum line and between teeth. Cleaning with hand instruments provides a thorough cleaning of the teeth and prevents tartar accumulation. Manual cleaning is more effective when combined with ultrasonic cleaning.
Smoothing the Tooth Surface
Smoothing the tooth surface is a procedure performed after tartar removal. This procedure removes small roughness on the tooth surface and makes the teeth smoother. A smooth tooth surface makes it harder for plaque and tartar to build up and promotes healthy teeth. Dentists use special polishing pastes and brushes for this process. Smoothing the tooth surface also improves the aesthetic appearance of the teeth.
Polishing Teeth
Polishing the teeth makes the teeth look brighter and more aesthetic after tartar cleaning. In this process, the surface of the teeth is polished using special polishing pastes and brushes. The polishing process removes micro-scratches on the tooth surface and makes the teeth smooth. The polished tooth surface supports healthy teeth by making plaque and tartar accumulation more difficult. Polishing the teeth provides an aesthetically more beautiful smile.
Tooth Tartar Removal Methods
Dental tartar removal methods are professionally practiced by dentists. These methods include ultrasonic cleaning, cleaning with hand tools, smoothing the tooth surface and polishing the teeth. These procedures completely remove tartar and make teeth look healthy and aesthetic. When performed regularly, tartar removal methods prevent gum disease and tooth decay.
Teeth Whitening and Smile Design
Teeth whitening and smile design are among aesthetic dentistry applications. Teeth whitening makes teeth look whiter and brighter. In this process, stains and discoloration on the tooth surface are removed. Smile design, on the other hand, aims to make the teeth look more aesthetically harmonious and beautiful. In this procedure, the shape, size and alignment of the teeth are corrected. Teeth whitening and smile design provide an aesthetically perfect smile.
How to Clean Tooth Tartar in Babies?
Tartar cleaning in babies should start with the eruption of teeth. Babies’ teeth should be cleaned with a soft toothbrush and water. The use of toothpaste should be postponed until the age recommended by the dentist. Also, paying attention to the oral hygiene of babies prevents the formation of dental tartar. Babies’ teeth should be checked regularly and cleaned by a dentist.
Tooth Tartar Removal Price
The price of tartar removal may vary depending on various factors. These factors include the experience of the dentist, the location of the clinic and the cleaning method to be used. Ultrasonic cleaning and cleaning with hand tools can be in different price ranges. To get information about tartar removal prices, you can contact your dentist and get detailed information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Notes by Dr. Chinar Gaffari
Dental tartar removal is very important for maintaining dental health and oral hygiene. My experience over the years shows that my patients experience fewer problems such as gum diseases and tooth decay when they have regular cleanings. After dental tartar cleaning, I observe that my patients’ teeth look smoother and more aesthetically pleasing. I also see that my patients who pay attention to oral hygiene prevent the re-formation of dental tartar. I recommend that you do not neglect regular dental check-ups and pay attention to oral hygiene to maintain dental health. Remember, healthy teeth are the key to a healthy life.
