Teeth cleaning from tartar and plaque

Do you want to have a healthy smile, free from plaque, inflamed gums, and bad breath? Dental cleaning by a dentist helps not only improve aesthetics but also prevent the development of serious dental diseases. At «Oxford Medical» dentistry, we offer modern teeth-cleaning methods that help achieve a high-quality result and make the procedure comfortable. Make an appointment for a consultation with a dentist — take care of the health and beauty of your smile today.

Dental calculus — is hard deposits that form from soft bacterial plaque and firmly attach to the enamel or root surface. It has a rough structure, is not washed away with water, cannot be removed with an ordinary toothbrush, and requires removal by a dentist.

Unlike soft dental plaque, which can be removed during daily tooth brushing, calculus is already a mineralized deposit. Pigmented layers may accumulate separately — dark or yellowish-brown plaque after coffee, tea, smoking, or foods containing colorants.

According to its location, calculus on the teeth is of two types:

• supragingival — located above the gum margin and usually visible during examination;

• subgingival — hidden under the gums or in periodontal pockets.

Both types create conditions for the accumulation of bacteria, irritate the gums, and may cause bleeding, inflammation, and bad breath.

The main cause of hard deposit formation — is incomplete cleaning of soft plaque from the teeth. It most often remains in hard-to-reach areas: near the gums, between the teeth, on the inner surface of the lower front teeth, around fillings, crowns, braces, retainers, and other dental appliances.

The faster accumulation of deposits is promoted by:

• irregular or insufficiently thorough hygiene;

• failure to follow the rules of tooth brushing;

• lack of daily cleaning of the interdental spaces;

• crowded teeth or an improper bite;

• the presence of braces, crowns, bridges, implants, or retainers;

• smoking;

• frequent consumption of coffee, strong tea, and foods containing colorants;

• dry mouth;

• individual characteristics of saliva composition.

Deposits form at different rates in different people. This depends not only on care but also on the bite, the condition of the gums, dietary habits, and salivation. Therefore, during an examination, the dentist may advise how often you need to undergo cleaning in your particular case.

Removal of dental deposits is necessary to reduce the number of bacteria in the gum area, remove dark plaque, and maintain a well-groomed appearance of the smile. If calculus remains on the teeth for a long time, it may irritate the gums, cause bleeding, and intensify bad breath.

Without regular cleaning, the risk of the following problems increases:

• gingivitis — inflammation of the gums, which may manifest as redness, swelling, and bleeding;

• caries — destruction of tooth tissues, especially in areas where plaque accumulates;

• periodontitis — inflammation of the tissues that hold the tooth;

• gum recession — exposure of the tooth necks and increased sensitivity;

• darkening of the teeth — a change in shade due to pigmented plaque.

Doctors at «Oxford Medical» recommend removing dental plaque and calculus before pronounced inflammation appears. This helps reduce the risk of gum disease, preserve the natural appearance of the teeth, and avoid more complex treatment.

At «Oxford Medical» dentistry, the following procedures are performed:

• Air Flow cleaning — removal of soft and pigmented plaque with a stream of water, air, and a special finely dispersed powder;

• ultrasonic teeth cleaning — hardware cleaning used to remove dental calculus above the gums and near their margin;

• manual scaling — cleaning of individual areas with special instruments, including in the case of subgingival deposits;

• mechanical cleaning — treatment of the teeth with special brushes or polishing attachments.

Within professional oral hygiene, several methods may be combined. This helps remove hard calculus, soft and pigmented plaque, as well as make the tooth surface smoother and lighter.

The procedure begins with an examination: the dentist determines exactly where the deposits have accumulated, whether there is subgingival calculus, pigmented plaque, bleeding, or areas of increased sensitivity. This helps select the cleaning sequence and avoid injuring the gums.

Teeth cleaning from calculus usually includes several stages:

• ultrasonic teeth cleaning — breaking down and removing hard calculus above the gums and near their margin;

• manual additional cleaning — treatment of areas where dense or hard-to-reach deposits remain;

• plaque removal — removal of soft and pigmented layers using Air Flow;

• polishing — smoothing the tooth surface after the main cleaning.

Doctors at «Oxford Medical» explain: to make the removal of calculus from the teeth more comfortable, the dentist works gradually: first removes the main deposits, then additionally cleans individual areas and polishes the tooth surface. If necessary, the procedure may be performed in a gentle mode or with local anesthesia, especially if the calculus is located close to the gums or beneath them.

After cleaning, the teeth may temporarily react to cold, hot, or acidic foods and drinks, especially if the calculus was located near the gums or beneath them. Such sensitivity usually decreases within a few days. To avoid irritating the gums and preserve the result of the procedure for longer, it is important to follow the dentist’s recommendations.

After dental calculus cleaning, it is advisable to:

• not eat or drink for 2 hours;

• follow a «white diet» during the first day — limit coffee, strong tea, red wine, brightly colored sauces, berries, and other foods containing colorants;

• temporarily refrain from smoking, as tobacco smoke quickly stains the tooth surface;

• brush the teeth with a soft or medium-bristled toothbrush without applying strong pressure;

• use dental floss, interdental brushes, or an irrigator if recommended by the dentist;

• consult a doctor if pain, pronounced bleeding, or swelling does not go away.

After the procedure, the dentist may immediately advise when it is best to come for the next cleaning. Most often, a scheduled cleaning is prescribed approximately 6 months later. If plaque accumulates quickly on the teeth, or if there are braces, retainers, implants, crowns, or gum disease, a repeat visit may be needed earlier.

The cost of the procedure depends on the amount and location of the deposits, as well as on the selected type of cleaning. Therefore, the price of teeth cleaning from calculus may vary depending on whether ultrasonic cleaning, Air Flow, scaling, or a combination of several methods is required.

Current prices for medical services can be viewed here. To make an appointment for the procedure, submit a request through the feedback form or call the contact center.

The information is for informational purposes only and does not replace a doctor’s consultation.

Sources:

• National Center for Biotechnology Information

• European Federation of Periodontology

• American Dental Association