Plaque removal: professional teeth cleaning

Not everyone knows that plaque and stone need to be removed. Many consider this an aesthetic defect. After all, neither teeth nor gums hurt, there is nothing to treat, so why go to the dentist? But in fact, plaque and stone have serious consequences. We suggest you to find out why it is necessary to remove plaque and stone.

What is plaque?

Plaque is a thin film of food molecules and various bacteria that multiply on the surface of the teeth. It is formed after each meal, including snacks. If you do not fight with him, then every day the raid will become thicker. Over time, it will turn into tartar. It's much more difficult to fight with him.

Toothstone is already a solid precipitate. They consist of salts of phosphates, calcium salts, food debris, bacteria and dead cells of the mucous gum.

Types of tartar

The tartar can be located in three places. Depending on this, it is divided into such types as:

• Supragingival: the stone is collected on the surface of the tooth;
• Subgingival: gets under the gum, provoking bleeding;
• Stone bridge: located between the teeth.

Why does plaque and stone appear?

The most common reason for the occurrence of plaque and the development of stones is insufficient hygiene of the growth cavity. But such factors can also provoke the emergence of these unpleasant things:

• Consumption of a large amount of soft food consisting of easily digestible carbohydrates;
• Absence of fruits and vegetables in the diet;
• Incorrect chewing process (when only teeth are used on one side);
• Chronic diseases of the digestive tract, metabolism and other internal organs;
• Use of unsuitable toothbrushes, pastes and other means for oral hygiene;
• The presence of such a bad habit as smoking;
• Too frequent use of coffee and tea.

What is dangerous for the presence of tartar?

Toothstone is not only an aesthetic problem. It serves as an excellent place for the propagation of microorganisms that cause inflammation of the gums of various severity, as a consequence, periodontitis and caries develop.

The development of stones is accompanied by such moments as bad breath, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, destruction of the jaw and so on.

Among the possible consequences is the following:

• Deep forms of periodontitis;
• removal of a tooth.

In order not to suffer from such serious troubles, it is better to remove dental plaque in time.

Methods of removing plaque and stone

To date, there are two options for removing plaque and stone:

• home;
• Dental.

Home method involves the use of a special toothpaste and brush. This is a long process, but it does not require a doctor's visit. At home it is not recommended to use recipes for broths and homemade pastes, which are offered by some "specialists", at home, as they often do not help to get rid of plaque, but only exacerbate the situation, damaging the enamel.

Methods of removing plaque in dentistry:

• mechanical;
• chemical;
• Ultrasound;
• Laser;
• Air-abrasive.

Removal of plaque with special pastes and brushes

This method gives a result only on not too started stages and helps to remove a hard plaque, but not a massive stone. To make the method work, a special toothpaste is used for a long time. Removal of plaque can only be achieved by one that includes:

• Polishing and grinding components;
• Plant enzymes bromelain and papain (they soften the stone);
• Compounds pyrophosphates and zinc (they slow down the process of hardening plaque, thereby reducing the number of bacteria).

Such pastes include:

• Lacalut White. It is recommended to alternate it with other toothpastes.
• «President White Plus». This toothpaste has a stronger effect, so it is not recommended to use it for daily cleaning. It is enough to use it once a week.

Removal of soft plaque is best entrusted to electric brushes. They are not as aggressive in use as special toothpastes, and they can be used every day.

Mechanical method of removal

Previously, mechanical removal of dental plaque was the only way. But now this method is used extremely rarely.

The mechanical method involves the use of special metal hooks. Thanks to the original form, they penetrate into hard-to-reach places. The whole process consists in chipping stones from the tooth surface and from the gum pocket. The method is quite painful and traumatic.

Chemical method

Chemical removal is extremely rare. The essence of the method is that special means of removing plaque are applied. They contain solutions of acid and alkali. On the surface of the tooth, they begin to interact with the stones, causing the latter to soften, and they become very easy to remove.

The minus of the chemical method lies in the fact that the reagents do not penetrate the gum and into the interdental space, therefore the bacteria that provoke plaque development do not perish. Accordingly, after a short period of time, the stones will reappear.

A chemical method is used when other methods are contraindicated or the stones are tightly attached to the tooth enamel.

Laser removal of stones

Removal of plaque and tartar is carried out under the influence of a special laser. The laser beam is directed to the damaged area, as a result of which the stone is crushed into small particles, which can then be easily washed with a special spray. The device has several modes of operation that allow you to cope with any type of tooth contamination: stone, plaque and so on.

This is one of the most modern and expensive methods of cleaning your teeth. But at the same time one of the safest. Enamel during this procedure does not suffer, because the impact is only on the stone. Also during the laser cleaning of teeth all bacteria that cause the appearance of a plaque are destroyed. Therefore, the risk of caries or any inflammatory processes is minimized.

The main disadvantage of the laser method is its high cost and the presence in a small number of dental clinics.

Air-abrasive technique (Air Flow)

The removal of plaque by air-abrasive method reduces to the fact that the stone is affected by abrasive substances, and the flow of water that is supplied with them, rinses its residues.

This method perfectly copes with the removal of plaque in hard-to-reach places.

Ultrasonic cleaning of teeth

Removing the plaque by ultrasound is cleaning the teeth with a special device that generates ultrasonic waves of the required frequency. On pollution, they act at a distance.

The advantages of this method include such factors:

• Enamel is not injured;
• Cleaned any type of pollution: plaque, hard stone and so on;
• There are no painful sensations;
• During the procedure disinfection of tissues with oxygen occurs;
• The procedure not only cleans the tooth surface, but also its root, as well as the gum;
• Zero probability of caries or inflammation of the gums;
• Teeth whitening occurs .

Despite the impressive list of advantages of the ultrasonic method of cleaning teeth, this method has several drawbacks. So, this procedure is contraindicated for people with severe diabetes, heart disease and those who have a pacemaker. Also, it is not recommended to use ultrasound for those who have increased sensitivity of teeth and gums, have ulcers or erosions in the oral cavity, orthopedic structures. Also there are age limits: for children and adolescents this procedure is not carried out.

Preventative measures against plaque occurrence

To reduce the likelihood of plaque and stones, you should follow simple recommendations of dentists:

• Teeth clean at least twice a day;
• Choose a good toothpaste and brush;
• Brush change once a quarter, because even if it looks like new, bristles have already gathered a lot of bacteria;
• Use additional means for cleaning the oral cavity: dental floss, irrigators, rinse aid;
• Add more raw vegetables and fruits to your diet;
• Use less coloring drinks (strong teas, coffee, sweet soda and so on);
• If you have already cleaned the surface of the teeth from plaque and stone, then adhere to the recommendations prescribed by your dentist (for example, additional rinsing of the oral cavity with antiseptics and / or decoctions of medicinal plants);
• Use electric toothbrushes with rotating heads - they are better at brushing your teeth.

These tips will help prevent accumulation of plaque and the development of stones, respectively, and visits to dentists with curative purposes will become much less common.