The hardened material people commonly refer to as “calcium deposits” on teeth is dental calculus, or tartar. This substance is a persistent buildup that cannot be removed through standard brushing and flossing once it has formed. This hardened substance can only be fully eliminated through professional dental procedures, but its formation can be actively prevented through consistent daily care.
Understanding Plaque and Calculus
The buildup process begins with dental plaque, a soft, sticky film composed of bacteria and saliva components that forms constantly on the tooth surface. Plaque is a dynamic biofilm that adheres readily to the teeth and is manageable with daily oral hygiene. If this soft plaque is not removed regularly, it begins to mature and harden through a process called mineralization.
This hardening occurs as minerals, primarily calcium phosphate, found naturally in saliva, precipitate and integrate into the plaque matrix. The result is calculus, a rough, porous, and firmly bonded deposit that creates an ideal surface for more plaque to accumulate. Calculus is made up of various mineral forms, including hydroxyapatite and whitlockite, which give it a rock-like consistency. It is the density and hard adherence of this mineralized structure that makes calculus impossible to remove with a toothbrush or floss once it has set.
Why At-Home Removal Fails
At-home methods fail because dental calculus is a cement-like deposit firmly bonded to the tooth enamel. Once plaque has undergone mineralization, it transitions from a soft film to a hard, crystalline structure. This structure cannot be dislodged by the gentle abrasives in toothpaste or the bristles of a brush. Even specialized home tools, such as dental scrapers or picks, are ineffective and pose significant risks.
These sharp instruments require professional training and precise technique to use safely. Improper use can easily lead to trauma, such as cutting the delicate gum tissue, which introduces a risk of infection or gum recession. Attempting to scrape the hard surface of the tooth can also inadvertently scratch or damage the enamel, leading to increased sensitivity or creating rough spots that attract new plaque. Furthermore, much of the calculus that causes health issues is hidden below the gumline, inaccessible to the untrained eye.
Professional Dental Solutions
The only safe and effective method to remove existing dental calculus is through professional procedures performed by a dentist or dental hygienist. This process is known as scaling, a component of a routine professional cleaning, or prophylaxis. Scaling involves using specialized instruments to physically fracture and detach the hardened deposits from the tooth surface, both above and slightly below the gumline.
Dental professionals primarily use two types of tools: ultrasonic scalers and manual curettes. Ultrasonic devices use high-frequency vibrations combined with a water stream to efficiently break up large or heavily mineralized calculus deposits. Manual curettes and scalers are then used to gently remove smaller pieces and smooth the tooth surface in more delicate areas, such as beneath the gums. If calculus has accumulated significantly below the gumline, a deeper cleaning called scaling and root planing may be necessary to remove deposits from the root surfaces and prevent the progression of gum disease.
Strategies for Long-Term Prevention
After professional removal, preventing the reformation of calculus relies on consistent daily oral hygiene practices. The most effective defense is the diligent removal of soft plaque before it has a chance to mineralize. This requires brushing twice daily for two minutes, using a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean all tooth surfaces, particularly the area near the gumline.
Daily flossing or the use of interdental cleaners is also necessary to disrupt plaque between teeth, an area where calculus frequently begins to form. Incorporating a toothpaste formulated with anti-calculus agents can significantly slow the rate of mineralization. These specialized toothpastes often contain active ingredients like pyrophosphates, zinc citrate, or sodium hexametaphosphate. These compounds work by interfering with the precipitation and growth of calcium phosphate crystals, keeping the plaque soft and easier to remove before it hardens into tartar. Limiting the intake of sugary and starchy foods also helps, as these provide fuel for the bacteria that form the initial plaque biofilm.