Statistics says that tartar occurs in 70% of the adult population. At the beginning of its formation, such formations do not cause discomfort and are considered by patients only as a cosmetic defect. But in the event that no measures are taken, hard plaque can cause the development of serious pathologies. Therefore, anyone who finds such a formation in themselves should contact a dentist and ask how to remove tartar from a tooth.
Hardened plaque
Lime deposits of yellow or brown spoil the whiteness of the smile. This is tartar that most often forms on the inside or outside of the incisors. In advanced cases, it can also be found on the upper jaw.
What is tartar and what does it consist of? In its composition, you can find s alts of phosphorus, calcium, iron. As well as dead skin cells, saliva proteins, bacteria and food debris.
The stone is formed gradually. First ona thin sticky film appears on the surface of the enamel. It begins to gradually harden if it has not been completely removed during brushing. The plaque continues to accumulate. It is being mineralized.
The rate of stone formation varies from patient to patient. It depends on some features of the body and metabolism. But on average, the sticky film turns to stone in 14-16 days. It can no longer be removed with just a toothbrush.
Patients are asking not only what is tartar, but also about what determines its color. In some people, education is almost imperceptible when smiling. While in others, the necks of the teeth turn dark brown or almost black. The fact is that the hardened plaque has a porous texture and is easily painted. Therefore, smoking, drinking coffee, tea or red wine causes the stone to darken.
Reasons for education
Careful dental hygiene prevents the appearance of plaque. And this, in turn, makes it impossible for the formation of stones. Unfortunately, it only takes a few hours to form a plaque. It is worth just once not brushing your teeth before going to bed or not doing it thoroughly enough, as the pathological process will be launched.
There are three main stages in plaque formation:
- First. It continues for four hours after brushing your teeth. Bacteria that have not been removed begin to multiply. By the end of this stage, there may be more than 1 million different microorganisms in the oral cavity.
- Second. Seven hours after cleaningthe number of microbes exceeds 10 million. Bacteria are fixed on the enamel and contribute to the formation of a sticky film. They release acids that destroy the surface of the teeth. This stage is dominated by lactobacilli and streptococci.
- Third. A few hours later, the raid can already be seen. Anaerobic bacteria predominate in its composition. Oxygen is not needed for their vital activity, therefore they are able to live in the depth of plaque. The layer thickens. Gradual mineralization occurs.
The main, but not the only cause of plaque is poor oral hygiene. Despite this, dentists sometimes encounter such formations even in those patients who thoroughly brush their teeth. Therefore, it is recommended to visit the dentist regularly, even if nothing bothers you.
Answering the question of why stones form on the teeth, doctors identify the following factors:
- Mistake.
- Metabolic disorders.
- Predominance of refined, soft foods in the diet.
- Taking some medications.
- Periodontitis.
- Alcohol abuse.
- Changes in the composition of saliva.
- Metabolic disorders.
- Using poor quality toothpaste and brush.
- Availability of orthodontic structures.
- Chew food on one side only.
- Misaligned teeth (crowding, bite problems).
- Insufficient enamel polishing after professionalcleaning.
- Smoking.
- Eating large quantities of sugary soda and muffins.
Clinical manifestations
Removal of stones from the teeth must be carried out as soon as they are detected. This will preserve the beauty of the smile, as well as its he alth. Unfortunately, not all people daily examine the inner surface of the tooth with a mirror. And the stone most often forms there.
It is not uncommon for a person to find out about their problem only when the following symptoms begin to appear:
- Bad smell.
- Tooth mobility.
- Inflammation and bleeding of the mucous membrane of the alveolar process.
- Appearance of periodontal pockets.
- Darkening of the base of the tooth.
Classification
Dentists, before removing stones from teeth, determine their appearance. This must be done in order to choose the optimal method of treatment. Depending on the location, the stones are:
- Supragingival. Visible to the naked eye. Formed above the surface of the gums, most often on the inside of the tooth. The consistency is clay-like or dense. In most cases, these stones are colored yellow.
- Subgingival. They occur in people over 45 years of age. Difficult to notice with normal visual inspection. Stones form in the periodontal pocket and adhere quite tightly to the root surface. Only a doctor can detect the formation using a special probe. These stones are very hard. Color may have brown or dark green.
- Stone bridge. An extensive formation that affects several teeth at once in a row.
Possible Complications
The price of cleaning teeth from tartar is much lower than the cost of treating those complications that an advanced stage of this pathology can lead to. Therefore, do not delay a visit to the doctor. Timely removal of solid formations will protect against the development of the following complications:
- Increased bleeding.
- Gingivitis.
- Gingival atrophy.
- Caries.
- Dark spots on enamel that are difficult to discolor.
- Itching of the mucosa.
- Loose teeth.
- Periodontitis.
Ultrasonic cleaning
There are several ways to clean your teeth from tartar. The most effective is ultrasound. The procedure is performed using a special device called a scaler. In most cases, local anesthesia is not required. But if the patient has a low pain threshold, the doctor may apply it.
How to remove stones from teeth with ultrasound and does it harm the enamel? Such questions are most often heard by dentists before the procedure. Ultrasonic cleaning is completely safe and harmless to enamel. However, there are some contraindications for its use:
- First trimester of pregnancy.
- Arrhythmia.
- Chronic bronchitis or asthma.
- HIV
- Implants and other orthodontic appliances.
- Tuberculosis.
- Change of bite in teenagers.
- Hepatitis.
- Children's age.
DuringDuring the procedure, the dentist applies a special gel to the teeth. It releases oxygen, which weakens the adhesion of the stone to the enamel. Ultrasonic vibration destroys the formation. The stone is completely removed both above the gum and below it. The manipulation ends with polishing and fluoridation of the enamel.
Laser removal
Every person dreams of having a snow-white smile. Therefore, patients often ask dentists about how to remove stones from teeth in dentistry and at the same time brighten the enamel? For such purposes, laser cleaning is used. There are no disadvantages to this procedure. But there are contraindications:
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Periodontitis.
- Any endoprostheses.
- Asthma.
- Having more than three false teeth.
- Pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.
- Lots of fillings.
- Brackets and other orthodontic appliances.
- Tuberculosis.
- SARS, influenza.
- Herpes.
- Under 18 years old.
- All types of hepatitis.
- Chronic bronchitis.
Cleaning is done without direct contact with the enamel. The removal principle is based on the ability of the laser beam to affect liquids. Plaque contains more water than tooth enamel. For this reason, the laser easily destroys the stone. Enamel does not suffer during this process.
Before stones are removed from the teeth, the patient is prepared. The dentist, using a special scale, determines the color of the client's enamel. Then the dentist or his assistant performs a light mechanical cleaningtooth surface. Only after that you can start laser removal.
Each decalcified tooth is polished. Then it is treated with a fluorine-containing composition. The patient's teeth are not only completely free of calculus, they also become several shades lighter. The price of cleaning teeth from tartar with a laser depends on the degree of damage. And also from the region where the clinic is located. On average, for the removal of a stone from one tooth, you will need to pay from 100 rubles.
The benefits of the procedure include:
- Safety for surrounding tissues and teeth.
- Enamel whitening.
- Silent procedure.
- Strengthening the gums.
Sandblasting
How are stones removed from the teeth of patients who have contraindications for laser and ultrasonic cleaning? In this case, many dentists advise using sandblasting. Unfortunately, it is effective only at the initial stages of deposit formation. This procedure will not cope with neglected cases.
A mixture of water, abrasive mixture and air flow is used to remove small deposits. Solid particles are spherical in shape, so they do not injure the enamel. Sandblasting mix removes deposits even in the most hard-to-reach places. Its particles, together with the remnants of plaque, are removed from the patient's mouth by a special aspiration system.
Immediately after the procedure, the enamel cuticle is completely absent on the teeth. Within three hours, it is restored by the action of saliva. For this reason, do not smoke, drink tea, coffee orred wine earlier than three hours after the procedure. Otherwise, the teeth will darken.
Sandblasting achieves the following results:
- Clear plaque.
- Finish the surface of the enamel.
- Clean fissures as well as gum pockets.
- Clean orthodontic appliances and implant surfaces.
- Prepare carious cavities, provided they are small.
Removal with hand tools
Remove tartar from teeth with hand tools. They have special sharpened edges that allow you to scrape off deposits. This method is considered outdated and traumatic. You can damage the enamel and scratch the gums. Doing without anesthesia will not work.
Toothpastes and gels for home use
Not everyone agrees to remove the stone in the dental office. Many patients prefer to solve this problem on their own, at home. If the case is not running, then it is possible to do this. But it is better to play it safe and consult a doctor in advance. Therefore, with the question of how to independently remove the stone from the teeth, it is better to contact the dentist. He will recommend quality toothpastes or gels.
The most effective remedies include:
- "R. O. C. S. Blank Verse". It contains silicon dioxide microparticles. They effectively remove hard plaque and whiten enamel.
- Jason Sea Fresh. Bamboo powder helps to remove tartar. As well as minerals and s alts from the Dead Sea.
- "Radonta". In the fight against stone, the most effective "Morning" paste. It contains abrasive particles that remove plaque with ease.
- Global White. Contains potassium pyrophosphate and silicon particles. To remove the stone, you will need to brush your teeth three times a day. The duration of the procedure should be at least 3 minutes.
- "New Pearl". Contains calcium, herbal extracts and fine abrasive particles. Works well on soft patina.
- Silver. Silver ions help get rid of plaque and pathogens.
- Detartrine Z. It contains a unique substance - a silicate of crushed zirconium. The particles work like scrapers, gently removing even hard deposits.
Home irrigator and dental floss
Every person who thinks about how to deal with a stone on his teeth should understand that it is easier to prevent its appearance than to eliminate it later. If the paste and brush do not cope with plaque removal, it is recommended to purchase a home irrigator and floss. This will keep the enamel spotlessly clean.
An irrigator is an electrical appliance capable of delivering a thin jet of water under high pressure. It washes away plaque and bacteria from places where no brush can reach. The irrigator will be especially useful for those people who wear braces and other orthodontic structures.
Dental floss also prevents plaque from settling and hardening. It should be used after every meal. If during the day it was not possible to use it, then you should apply it before going to bed.
Folk recipes
Sandblasting teeth, as well as laser and ultrasonic cleaning are modern techniques. Even 30 or 40 years ago, stones could only be removed with hand tools. Unfortunately, this is a rather traumatic and painful way. Therefore, many patients were interested in how to clean tartar at home.
The most effective methods include:
- Wet a cotton swab with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Apply it for five minutes to the place where the stone formed. After removing the tampon, the teeth should be brushed, but no paste should be used. Repeat the procedure once a week until the deposits disappear.
- 2 teaspoons of baking soda add 1 ml of peroxide and 5 drops of lemon juice. Mix thoroughly. The resulting paste is applied for three minutes to problem areas. The mouth should then be rinsed.
- In half a teaspoon of any toothpaste, add 3 g of soda and 3 g of fine s alt. The resulting mixture is used for brushing teeth. Baking soda and s alt can damage enamel, so this method is not recommended to be used more than once a week.
Healing herbs
Before you remove stones from your teeth at home, with the help of powders and pastes, you need to make sure that the gums are completely he althy. S alt and baking soda can damagemucous and even enamel. If the gums are prone to bleeding, it is better to use rinses with various herbs to remove the stone. Such treatment takes a lot of time, but it is completely safe for enamel and mucous membranes.
The most popular recipes are:
- Two and a half tablespoons of dry horsetail pour a glass of boiling water. After two hours, the infusion is filtered. Three times a day it is used for rinsing. The procedure is repeated daily until the enamel is clear.
- A tablespoon of dry celandine grass is poured with a glass of boiling water. After half an hour, filter. Used for rinsing twice a day.
- A tablespoon of chopped walnut bark is poured into 350 ml of hot water. The liquid is put on fire and boiled for 30 minutes. Ready broth is filtered. It is used for rinsing. In addition, in the decoction, you can moisten the brush and brush your teeth.
Prevention
It's hard to be a confident person if the teeth are covered with dark deposits that exude an unpleasant odor. Therefore, oral hygiene must be constantly monitored. It is much easier to prevent a problem from occurring than to think about why stones form on the teeth and how to deal with them later.
Save the he alth and whiteness of the smile allow the following preventive measures:
- Meticulous oral hygiene twice a day.
- Quit smoking.
- Change your toothbrush regularly.
- Power optimization. Restriction of sweets in the diet.
- Using good quality toothpaste.
- Additional cleansing of interdental spaces with floss. As well as the use of antibacterial rinses.
- Regular visits to the dentist.
