Tartar, known as dental calculus, forms when plaque hardens and sticks to teeth, especially near the gum line. It typically appears as a hard, yellow-brown coating that cannot be removed by brushing or flossing.
Do you know?
Tartar buildup can lead to periodontitis, a severe gum disease that causes inflammation of tissues and loosening of teeth. In the United States, periodontitis affects around 42-47% of adults aged 30 and older, and remains a major global health concern, affecting 20-50% of the global population.
To combat this, dental professionals employ a deep cleaning treatment known as scaling and root planning (SRP). This treatment removes hardened tartar and plaque from above and below the gum line, using specialized dental tools. Dentists, with professional experience, safely eliminate the yellow staining of teeth, reduce inflammation, and restore a cleaner, brighter, and healthier smile.
Professional Tartar Removal: Why It Matters for Oral Health
Regular brushing and flossing cannot remove tartar because it strongly adheres to tooth surfaces. A professional dental removal with specialized instruments is essential to safely and completely remove tartar and restore oral health.
- Removes plaque and tartar: Daily brushing and at-home methods help manage surface plaque, but cannot fully remove hardened tartar. Professional dental procedures are necessary to remove mineralized tartar embedded above and below the gum line.
- Prevention of gum disease: Dental cleaning of calculus helps prevent the progression of gum disease by reducing harmful bacteria and inflammation of tissues around teeth.
- Stops tooth decay: Tartar damages the tooth enamel and leads to cavities. Dental procedure helps to protect your teeth and avoid expensive treatment later.
- Enhanced oral health. Routine Dental cleanings remove these deposits, reduce the risk of gum infections and tooth decay, and maintain healthier oral health.
- Early detection of dental issues: Regular professional dental visits allow dentists to assess the severity of oral problems caused by tartar accumulation, including cavities and periodontitis, and address them before they worsen.
Overall, professional tartar removal is a vital part of preventive dental care, promoting long-term oral health, comfort, and confidence.
Clinical Tools Dentists Use to Remove Tartar Safely
Dentists combine specialized instruments depending on the amount and location of tartar.
Ultrasonic Scaler: An ultrasonic scaler uses high-frequency vibration and water irrigation to loosen and flush away heavy tartar deposits more efficiently than manual scalers. Scalers are a part of standard professional cleanings.
Manual Hand Instruments: Hand instruments include sickle scalers (for above the gumline) and curettes (for below the gumline). Each instrument is designed for specific tooth surfaces and hard-to-reach areas. Mainly, it is used in deeper cleaning after scaling, and it is ideal for fine detailing and smoothing root surfaces.
Suction and Irrigation: It is mainly used to keep the mouth dry. High volume suction removes excess water and saliva, and also clears dislodged tartar, plaque, and bacteria, preventing patients from swallowing debris during treatment.
Scaling and Root Planing Process (Step-by-Step)
Dental scaling and root planing, also known as deep cleaning, is a professional procedure designed to remove hardened mineralized deposits. It involves removing plaque and tartar buildup from teeth and their roots, as well as smoothing the root surface for the prevention of further bacterial growth. Understanding each step of the scaling process can help reduce anxiety and prepare patients for what to expect during their visit.
Step 1: Initial Assessment
The dentist typically examines your teeth and gums to assess plaque, tartar, and signs of gum disease, as well as review your dental and medical history. Dentists also recommended X-rays to evaluate the health of the surrounding bone.
Step 2: Anesthesia
In many cases, scaling and root planning are performed using local anesthesia to ensure your comfort during the procedure. Local anesthesia numbs the affected area for patient comfort.
Step 3: Scaling
The process of scaling includes the removal of plaque and tartar from below the gumline. A dentist uses specialized instruments such as ultrasonic scalers or hand scalers to remove the tartar deposits. Usually, this step takes 30–60 minutes, depending on the amount of tartar present.
Step 4: Root Planing
A deep dental cleaning procedure that smooths the tooth root surfaces after scaling. It removes remaining plaque, tartar, and bacterial toxins from below the gum line, helping the gums reattach to the teeth and heal properly.
Step 5: Debridement (if necessary)
When there is a significant amount of tartar buildup or deep periodontal pockets, debridement may be performed before scaling and root planing. This step removes larger deposits and allows the dentist to carry out a more thorough and effective deep cleaning.
Step 6: Antibacterial Treatment (optional)
Sometimes dentists may apply antimicrobial gels or antimicrobial rinses to the treated areas. This helps to control infection and promote healing
Step 7: Post-treatment Instructions and Follow-up
The doctor will provide instruction, including post-care and oral hygiene care such as soft brushes, saltwater rinses, and proper flossing techniques. Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess the healing progress and monitor the gum conditions.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Understanding what happens during a professional removal visit can help you feel more relaxed and prepared. Dentists conduct the procedure in a routine, controlled manner and focus on ensuring your comfort throughout.
Sounds and Sensations: During the procedure, patients notice pressure, vibration or mild sensitivity. The vibration and sensation are natural and do not indicate discomfort or difficulties.
Duration of the Procedure: A root planing session typically lasts 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of teeth treated and the severity of disease.
Bleeding During Cleaning: Bleeding during the cleaning is normal, especially if the gums are irritated or diseased.
Comfort Measures We Use: To ensure your comfort, dentists may apply numbing medication, use frequent suctioning, and offer short breaks during the procedure as needed.
Patient Communication: Clear communication during treatment is important. Stay relaxed, breathe normally, and inform your dentist immediately if you experience any discomfort.
AfterCare Tips for Scaling and Root Planing
Proper post-treatment care supports healing and maintains gum health over time. Understanding post-treatment care can make it easier and more effective for you to heal. The important dos and don’ts to keep in mind after the procedure include:
- Don’t eat anything until the numbness is gone.
- Don’t eat sticky, hard, crunchy, spicy, or acidic food. Better to eat soft food like mashed potatoes and eggs for 1 to 2 days.
- Do not smoke. Tobacco has the property to slow the healing process and increase the risk of infection
Pro tip: Avoid smoking, sugary foods, and hard foods during early healing.
- Do rinse with salt water
- Do take over-the-counter medications as prescribed by your dentist for discomfort.
- Do practice Good Oral Hygiene. Continue brushing and flossing, but be gentle around the treated areas. Make sure to use soft bristled brush
Healing Timeline and Follow-Up: Most patients notice improvement in gum comfort within a few days, with visible healing over 1–2 weeks. Follow-up appointments are important to monitor healing and prevent recurrence.
Prevention to Keep Tartar Away
The foundation of tartar prevention is consistent daily care and regular professional care.
- Brush twice daily for two minutes with a soft-bristled brush or electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque.
- Floss between teeth once a day to remove trapped food and plaque.
- Rinse with an antibacterial or antiseptic mouthwash to kill plaque-causing bacteria.
- Reduce sugary snacks, sodas, and acidic drinks, as they feed plaque-forming bacteria.
- Drink plenty of water to help rinse away food particles.
- Smoking significantly increases tartar buildup and gum disease risk.
- Regular dental visits are essential for preventing tartar. Professional cleanings eliminate existing tartar and help dentists identify early signs of oral health issues.
- By combining good oral hygiene, a balanced diet, and regular dental care, tartar can be efficiently prevented, helping maintain a healthy, confident smile.
Experience Dentistry That Puts You First
Invest in your oral health—book a dentist appointment today. Our experienced dental team at Teeth and Smile Dental Clinic provides thorough, gentle cleanings personalized to your individual needs. We carefully examine your oral health, identify potential issues, and recommend the most appropriate treatment to keep your smile healthy and confident.
FAQs
Does professional tartar removal hurt?
Patients often experience mild discomfort or pressure sensations rather than pain. If you have sensitive teeth or gums, the doctor will apply topical numbing agents or a local anesthetic before the procedure.
How long does professional tartar removal take?
A typical tartar removal appointment takes 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how much buildup you have.
Will my teeth be sensitive after tartar removal?
It is normal to experience some tooth sensitivity for a few days after tartar removal. This happens because hardened tartar has been removed, exposing areas of the tooth that were previously covered. Sensitivity usually subsides within a few days to a week.
Can tartar come back after professional removal?
Yes, tartar can return if you don’t maintain good oral hygiene at home. However, with consistent brushing, flossing, and a healthy routine, you can significantly slow or prevent tartar formation.
