Deposits on tooth surfaces affect nearly everyone, and the answer to whether they can be removed is definitively yes. A dentist or dental hygienist possesses the necessary tools and expertise to remove hardened plaque. While daily brushing and flossing remove soft deposits, once these materials solidify, professional intervention is the only method to safely clean the tooth and root surfaces. This process is foundational for maintaining long-term oral health and preventing serious conditions.
Understanding Plaque and Tartar
Dental plaque is a soft, sticky, colorless biofilm composed of bacteria, food particles, and saliva that constantly forms on teeth. It is easily removed with proper brushing and flossing techniques. If soft plaque is not removed, however, it begins a process known as mineralization or calcification.
This hardening occurs when minerals, primarily calcium and phosphate ions from saliva, incorporate into the plaque structure. The transformation into a rough, porous deposit called tartar or calculus can begin in as little as 24 to 72 hours. Once plaque transitions into tartar, it forms a crusty deposit firmly bonded to the tooth enamel that cannot be removed by simple at-home care.
Tartar acts as a rough surface that attracts more soft plaque, creating a cycle of buildup that irritates the gum tissue. Deposits are classified by location: supragingival calculus is above the gum line, and subgingival calculus forms below the gum line. Because tartar is chemically bonded and physically hard, it requires specialized instruments used by a dental professional to detach it.
Professional Removal Techniques
Dental professionals use specialized techniques to remove hardened deposits, a process generally referred to as scaling. Standard dental cleaning removes supragingival calculus located above the gum line. When calculus extends below the gum line, a more involved procedure called scaling and root planing (SRP), or deep cleaning, is often required.
Scaling systematically removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surface, above and below the gum line, to eliminate irritants causing inflammation. Root planing then meticulously smooths the root surfaces. This smoothing removes embedded toxins and makes it difficult for bacteria and new deposits to reattach, promoting the reattachment of gum tissue.
Manual and Powered Instruments
The instruments used fall into two main categories: manual and powered. Manual instruments, known as scalers and curettes, are handheld tools used to physically scrape hard deposits from the tooth surface with precision. Powered instruments, specifically ultrasonic or sonic scalers, use high-frequency vibrations to fracture and dislodge the calculus.
Anesthesia and Lavage
These ultrasonic tips also emit a fine spray of water that flushes away debris and bacteria from the treatment area, a process known as lavage. For deep cleaning procedures like root planing, local anesthesia is frequently administered to numb the gums and ensure patient comfort during the thorough cleaning of the sensitive root surfaces.
Maintaining a Healthy Smile
Failing to remove tartar leads directly to gingivitis, the earliest and most reversible stage of gum disease. If calculus remains untreated, inflammation progresses to periodontitis, a more severe condition where bacterial infection invades deeper structures. Periodontitis causes gum tissue to pull away from the tooth, forming infected pockets that destroy the underlying bone and connective tissue supporting the teeth.
The destruction of the bone anchoring the teeth can eventually result in tooth mobility and ultimately tooth loss. The chronic bacterial infection and inflammation associated with advanced periodontitis have also been linked to systemic health issues, including heart disease and difficulty controlling blood sugar in diabetic patients.
Daily Prevention
Preventing calculus accumulation requires consistent and effective daily oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day removes soft plaque before it mineralizes into tartar. Patients prone to buildup may benefit from using a tartar-control toothpaste formulated with chemical agents that inhibit the calcification process.
Professional Maintenance
Regular professional cleanings, typically scheduled every six months, are a necessary part of prevention. These appointments allow the dental team to remove any deposits that have formed and to screen for early signs of disease.