Removing Tartar: Why It is Much More Important Than Most Think
Removing Tartar: Why It is Much More Important Than Most Think
D21 Dental Excellence Team
12. December 2023
Medically reviewed by the Doctors of the D21 Dental Excellence Team, more than 70 years of Dental Experience.
Content
Content
Tartar threatens overall oral health: Those who don't take care of it risk secondary diseases from cavities to the degradation of the jawbone due to inflammation. In this article, you will learn how tartar actually forms, why it must be regularly removed, and who should best do it.
Tartar threatens overall oral health: Those who don't take care of it risk secondary diseases from cavities to the degradation of the jawbone due to inflammation. In this article, you will learn how tartar actually forms, why it must be regularly removed, and who should best do it.
What is Tartar?
What is Tartar?
Tartar is calcified dental plaque. In its early stage, it is usually yellowish. If not removed in time, it can become darker over time – and more dangerous. This is because various bacterial colonies feel very comfortable on its rough surface, making it the basis for cavities and gum inflammation.
Tartar is calcified dental plaque. In its early stage, it is usually yellowish. If not removed in time, it can become darker over time – and more dangerous. This is because various bacterial colonies feel very comfortable on its rough surface, making it the basis for cavities and gum inflammation.
How Does Tartar Form?
How Does Tartar Form?
The beginning of all tartar is plaque: This is a mixture of food residues, saliva, and bacteria that together form a fine biofilm on the teeth. This layer forms after every meal. Yet, it can be tackled with diligent oral hygiene. Once such layers harden, they are referred to as tartar.
The beginning of all tartar is plaque: This is a mixture of food residues, saliva, and bacteria that together form a fine biofilm on the teeth. This layer forms after every meal. Yet, it can be tackled with diligent oral hygiene. Once such layers harden, they are referred to as tartar.
What Types of Tartar exist?
What Types of Tartar exist?
Tartar variants are differentiated by where they are located:
Tartar variants are differentiated by where they are located:
Supragingival Tartar:
Supragingival Tartar:
This type of tartar forms quickly: It is located above the gum line and usually near the salivary glands. Thus, it is often visible and can cause no lasting damage if removed in time.
This type of tartar forms quickly: It is located above the gum line and usually near the salivary glands. Thus, it is often visible and can cause no lasting damage if removed in time.
Subgingival Tartar:
Subgingival Tartar:
This type forms over time and hides in the gum pockets and below the gum edge, where brushing is much more difficult than on the tooth surfaces. It also forms through the deposition of minerals. Unlike the first type, its basis is not saliva but blood serum. Therefore, it is darker. For those affected, it is usually not visible – and even dental personnel often have to specifically search for it with X-rays. Thus, it can contribute to serious inflammations of the gums, later of the jawbone, and periodontium. These deposits are then called "concretions."
This type forms over time and hides in the gum pockets and below the gum edge, where brushing is much more difficult than on the tooth surfaces. It also forms through the deposition of minerals. Unlike the first type, its basis is not saliva but blood serum. Therefore, it is darker. For those affected, it is usually not visible – and even dental personnel often have to specifically search for it with X-rays. Thus, it can contribute to serious inflammations of the gums, later of the jawbone, and periodontium. These deposits are then called "concretions."
What to do in Case of Severe Tartar Formation?
What to do in Case of Severe Tartar Formation?
Severe tartar formation should generally not be allowed to occur in the first place – because long-term consequences, such as gum bleeding or jawbone inflammation, can follow. As a result, internal organs can be attacked by the inflammation. Therefore, thorough oral hygiene is strongly recommended: This includes regular, thorough brushing e.g., with a sonic toothbrush, as well as cleaning the interdental spaces with dental floss and interdental brushes. A sugar-reduced diet can also contribute to less plaque forming in the first place.
Severe tartar formation should generally not be allowed to occur in the first place – because long-term consequences, such as gum bleeding or jawbone inflammation, can follow. As a result, internal organs can be attacked by the inflammation. Therefore, thorough oral hygiene is strongly recommended: This includes regular, thorough brushing e.g., with a sonic toothbrush, as well as cleaning the interdental spaces with dental floss and interdental brushes. A sugar-reduced diet can also contribute to less plaque forming in the first place.
How Can You Remove Tartar Yourself?
How Can You Remove Tartar Yourself?
Dental plaque can largely be removed at home with some discipline. However, once it has hardened, professionals are needed. Although tartar erasers are now available, how much they help is disputed among experts. They do not replace a visit to the dentist in any case – and unlike the eraser, professional tartar removal is covered by health insurance once a year.
Dental plaque can largely be removed at home with some discipline. However, once it has hardened, professionals are needed. Although tartar erasers are now available, how much they help is disputed among experts. They do not replace a visit to the dentist in any case – and unlike the eraser, professional tartar removal is covered by health insurance once a year.
How Painful is Tartar Removal?
How Painful is Tartar Removal?
Ultrasound can be a gentle method for removing tartar. Generally, most people do not perceive the removal of supragingival tartar as painful, though it can sometimes be somewhat unpleasant. If it is located in the gum pockets, the treatment can hurt a little bit. Therefore, some dentists offer to counteract this with ice spray or topical anesthetic. Afterward, the gums can be a bit more sensitive for a few days.
Ultrasound can be a gentle method for removing tartar. Generally, most people do not perceive the removal of supragingival tartar as painful, though it can sometimes be somewhat unpleasant. If it is located in the gum pockets, the treatment can hurt a little bit. Therefore, some dentists offer to counteract this with ice spray or topical anesthetic. Afterward, the gums can be a bit more sensitive for a few days.
Does Tartar Removal Replace Professional Tooth Cleaning?
Does Tartar Removal Replace Professional Tooth Cleaning?
Absolutely not. Tartar removal is certainly better than nothing, but typically, only supragingival tartar, i.e., the visible tartar, is removed during tartar removal. Professional teeth cleaning goes far beyond tartar removal and also removes subgingival tartar and discolorations, and thus has a significantly greater impact on oral health.
Absolutely not. Tartar removal is certainly better than nothing, but typically, only supragingival tartar, i.e., the visible tartar, is removed during tartar removal. Professional teeth cleaning goes far beyond tartar removal and also removes subgingival tartar and discolorations, and thus has a significantly greater impact on oral health.
Overview:
Overview:
Tartar threatens oral health and can lead to not only tooth loss but also severe secondary diseases through inflammation.
Tartar threatens oral health and can lead to not only tooth loss but also severe secondary diseases through inflammation.
Diligent oral hygiene can act as a preventive measure.
Diligent oral hygiene can act as a preventive measure.
Tartar removals are covered once a year by statutory health insurance.
Tartar removals are covered once a year by statutory health insurance.
Tartar removal does not replace professional teeth cleaning.
Tartar removal does not replace professional teeth cleaning.
Time For a Professional Teeth Cleaning Again?
Time For a Professional Teeth Cleaning Again?
At Dental21 practices, you benefit from treatment with state-of-the-art technology. You can find us at over 50 locations throughout Germany.
At Dental21 practices, you benefit from treatment with state-of-the-art technology. You can find us at over 50 locations throughout Germany.
Want to get rid of your tartar?
Want to get rid of your tartar?
Book Your appointment today!
Book Your appointment today!
