Oral hygiene
Proper oral hygiene and regular check-ups can prevent issues related to oral health. While dentists generally deal with consequences, dental hygienists focus on preventing oral and dental diseases and maintaining health.
The work of a dental hygienist includes removing tartar, preventing and treating inflammation of the gums, mechanically cleaning teeth, adjusting fillings, and other procedures related to dental and general oral health. Dental hygienists also consult patients on the selection of oral care products.
What is tartar and why should it be removed?
Soft plaque forms on everyone’s teeth and it can be removed by careful brushing twice a day. Plaque that is not removed over a longer period starts to mineralise in 24-72 hours, harders, and eventually forms into tartar in 10-20 days. Tartar is a hard scale-like deposit on the teeth.
It can be found on the surface of gums or teeth or below the gum line on the surface of roots. If tartar is not removed, it will continue to spread deeper under the gum line and may cause inflammation. Tartar below the gums is harder and denser than tartar on the surface of the gums and is tightly bonded to the dental surface.
In addition to teeth, tartar can form on crowns, implants, removable dentures, or orthodontic structures.
Tartar is an excellent surface for various bacteria. Many strains of bacteria produce toxic waste products as part of their life cycle, causing infection in the gums and connective tissue of teeth, leading to inflammation.
The first symptom of gum inflammation is bleeding of the gums, followed by swelling and redness. Later, pus may be discharged between the gums and teeth.
Untreated gum inflammation can destroy connective tissues in teeth and result in gums and bones receding. This expands periodontal pockets and teeth become loose – they may shift from their position and eventually fall out. The entire process causes pain while eating and cleaning teeth. Exposed tooth necks become sensitive and start to impact everyday life. Inflammation is often also accompanied by bad breath.
This is why you should never ignore inflammation and bleeding of the gums. If you notice bleeding while brushing your teeth, contact a dentist or dental hygienist to find out the reason for the bleeding.
Hardened plaque that has formed into tartar can no longer be removed by brushing. For this, you need to contact a dentist or dental hygienist. Tartar is removed by special tools – an ultrasound device or hand instrument.
How to prevent tartar?
The better we clean our teeth, the less we have plaque to which microbes can attach. The easiest way to reduce tartar is to take thorough and regular care of your oral hygiene. Carefully brush your teeth every morning and night. In addition, you should clean between your teeth with floss or an interdental brush once a day before brushing. A dentist or dental hygienist helps you select the proper products for daily oral care.
Soda blasting is a procedure where pressurised powder, water, and air are used to remove plaque and pigmentation and polish the surface of teeth. Removal of tartar and soda blasting are usually done together – first, tartar is removed using ultrasound or a hand instrument, followed by soda blasting. Keep in mind that soda blasting alone cannot remove tartar.
