So, you happen to admire that smile in the mirror, but what should you think about that film on your teeth? Is it harmless, or is it some creeping thing that affects your oral health, too?

Let’s take a closer look at the hidden world of dental calculus, which begins as something entirely harmless, plaque on teeth, but escalates rapidly into something much more dangerous: tartar teeth.
>If you want to take the care of your smile seriously, you need to learn all about the types, causes, and treatment of this silent threat that can cause hidden damage.

What is Dental Calculus?

Tartar is described as dental calculus, which is the stubborn by-product of forgotten plaque on teeth. Plaque is that slimy film that develops following eating. This is the place of bacteria that feed on sugars in your food. Failure to remove this plaque via brushing and flossing causes it to mineralize through calcium and phosphate contained in your saliva and form hardened calculus deposits, also known as tartar teeth.

This solid build-up affects the teeth and gums and forms a breeding ground for bacteria that is extremely difficult to clean without professional devices. In a nutshell, calculus is the irreversible form of plaque, the bad guy that cannot be brushed off.

Types of Dental Calculus

The knowledge of the types of calculus makes it easy to understand the extent of severity of a case:

Supragingival Calculus:

• Gingival hyperplasia owing to something above the gum line
• It is often visible as a yellowish or brownish crust on the surfaces of teeth
• It is observable on the gum border, particularly around the salivary glands
• Although quite ugly, it can usually be more easily reached and removed in a cleaning session.

Subgingival Calculus:

• Grows under the gum line, in periodontal pockets
• Darker-colored-brown, green or dark, due to blood pigments and germs trapped
• Simply, much more difficult to remove and is a significant cause of gum recession in inflammation, and bone loss.

Calculus Bridge:

• An unusual instance where hardened tartar joins two or more teeth together into a bridge
• Appear as a hard band or lump bridging the teeth next to barely visible
• Being especially hazardous, they attract more bacteria, damage the gum further and make it incredibly difficult to clean

To get more in-depth information about calculus bridges- their symptoms and how to treat them, take a look at this informative post: Calculus Bridge Symptoms and Treatments

Causes of Calculus in Teeth

You may ask why the plaque hardens and what causes some people to be more prone to Calculus.

Primary Causes:

• Poor oral hygiene: When plaque is not removed within 24-48 hours, it can crystallize, and this leads to the formation of calculus.
• High-mineral saliva: Some people simply have high calcium and phosphate mineral saliva, which accelerates the transformation of plaque to tartar.
• Neglect of professional cleaning: Missing twice-yearly dental visits would leave calculus to increase and intensify with time.

Risk Factors Which Accelerate Buildup

1. The sugary/starchy diet contributes to food that contributes to the fuel used by plaque-forming bacteria.
2. Smoking or the use of tobacco enhances the accumulation of calculus and worsens harm to the gums.
3. Misaligned teeth or any other dental issues that cause crowding make cleaning difficult due to their cavities.
4. Dry mouth (xerostomia), which decreases the mouth’s ability to automatically clean itself through saliva.
5. Systemic diseases such as diabetes may worsen plaque and gum inflammation.

Treatment Options for Dental Calculus

When tartar teeth gain a foothold, particularly under the gum line or create a calculus bridge, only the most vigilant home care efforts are going to make any difference.

Here is what dental practitioners can do:

Professional Cleaning:

• Scaling: Your dentist removes the tartar by using special equipment or ultrasonic tools and does so both above and below the gum line.
• Polishing: When the scaling is over, the teeth are smoothed to discourage future attachment of plaque.
• Scaling & Root Planing: It will get rid of dry spot bacteria deep in gum pockets and smooth the roots accordingly to encourage gum reattachment.

Complex Techniques:

The heavy deposits are shaken by the vibrations during ultrasonic cleaning and polished out.

In more serious infections where calculus has been extensive or has been deep-seated, no action was necessary other than laser treatment or surgery.

After Treatment Care:

Professional cleanings are usually painless; any pain can be tolerated, and numbness may be used at any instance. Root planing- due to contact with soft tissue, is more likely to cause sensitivity, but dentists will be careful of your comfort.

Good oral hygiene and regular check-ups with a dentist are an important part of treatment for healthy-looking teeth and a bright smile.

Why Is It Important to Take Timely Action?

• Development of Gum Disease: Calculus inflames gums, leading to gingivitis and further developing to destructive periodontitis in case they are not treated.
• Bone & Gum Loss: In severe cases, the bone that supports the teeth is destroyed, causing the teeth to become loose or at least lost.
• Constant Bad Breath: Tartar teeth house bacteria that produce bad smells that can only be relieved by brushing.
• General Health Hazards: The bad health of the mouth may be associated with other body complications, such as heart disease and diabetes.

How to Prevent Plaque in Teeth?

Prevention is better than cure: an old adage, but it still holds true. This is how you can make yourself immune to calculus:

• Use fluoride toothpaste to brush twice daily and pay attention to gum lines and tooth surfaces which are difficult to clean.
• Antiseptic mouthwash should also be utilized to lessen bacterial accretion.
• Use floss to break up plaque between the teeth each day.
• Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months or more frequently, when the bristles wear out.
• Reduce sugary/starch snacks and drink water after meals, helping to clean out the debris.
• Stop smoking- tobacco promotes calculus formation and gum disease.
• Take plenty of fluids or use saliva stimulants as a combat mechanism against dry mouth.
• Book dental check-ups and cleanings at least twice a year or more, depending on the tendency to heavy buildups.

Conclusion

Plaque becomes hardened dental calculus (or tartar) that is much more than a cosmetic issue. This tartar can cause gum inflammation, bone loss, tooth sensitivity, as well as some systemic problems. Not checked, the matter can take hidden shapes, such as the calculus bridge, and clearing it then becomes more of a complex matter.

The good news is, there is something powerful you can do to fight this silent enemy. By combining consistent daily hygiene with good habits and regularly seeing the dentist, it is possible to defeat this enemy.

The rule is the same with any other kind of dental protection: be vigilant, be persistent, and protect your smile starting way down at the ground.

FAQs

Is calculus the same as plaque?

Not exactly. Plaque is a sticky film composed of bacteria and food particles growing on the teeth after taking a meal. Brushing and flossing will help you remove it. Tartar – known as calculus – is hardened plaque that is mineralized by the saliva and cannot be removed at home. It attaches to teeth and has to be professionally cleaned.

How to prevent calculus build-up?

Prevent calculus by brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing every day as well as using antiseptic mouthwash and replacing your brush every 2-3 months. Also, you should consume less sugary/starchy food, drink enough water, avoid smoking, and visit your dentist every six months to get your cleanings.

What happens after calculus is removed?

When professionally cleaned (via scaling or ultrasonic cleaning) and polished, with any roots smoothed out as necessary by root planing, your teeth gain a smooth texture, making them less susceptible to plaque adhesion. Proper follow-up care, such as brushing, flossing, and routine cleanings, can help keep gums healthy and prevent recurrence.

Is removing dental calculus painful?

Typically not. Scraping involves scraping off the hardened tartar and is normally painless; however, it is possible that you will be affected by a bit of tenderness, particularly when your gums are diseased. More advanced treatments, such as root planing, may need your area to be numbed, but dental professionals focus on your comfort during the process.