Calcium Deposits on Teeth: Treatment and Prevention

3 min read

What are Calcium Deposits on My Teeth?

"Calcium deposits"— known more commonly as tartar or calculus — are a hardened layer of plaque or dental biofilm. Tartar is made of calcium phosphates, among other compounds, and looks white or off-white, so you may hear it called calcium.

Tartar can form anywhere on the tooth surface. It can be especially troublesome when it builds up between the teeth because many people neglect to clean between their teeth with floss, water flossers, or other interdental cleaners. Tartar irritates the gums and serves as a rough surface where disease-causing bacteria can collect, leading to periodontal disease and even inflammation in other parts of your body.

How Does Tartar Form?

Tartar buildup occurs when the accumulated bacteria that grows on teeth hardens on the tooth surface. Tartar is typically found on the inner surface of the front teeth and the outer surface of the upper molars next to the cheeks. These are common areas because salivary duct openings continuously feed saliva (which includes calcium) into the mouth.

Removing Calcium Deposits

Only a dental professional can remove tartar buildup on your teeth. They will scale the teeth with instruments specifically designed for this purpose. These tools can be metal-tipped hand instruments or ultrasonic tools that use specific wavelengths to remove tartar. If it's been a while since you've visited your dental hygienist, scaling may take more than one visit. If the tartar on the tooth surface is deep below the gumline, you may need deep cleaning with local anesthesia to ensure your comfort.

Dental hygienists are trained and knowledgeable about working with patients, and they provide optimal oral health preventive care. You should never try to scale your teeth at home, whether with store-bought dental kits or household objects like toothpicks. Trying scaling at home may damage your enamel or lead to further inflamed or bleeding gums.

Preventing Calcium Buildup

The best way to prevent calcium buildup on teeth is to keep them clean by thoroughly brushing and cleaning between your teeth every day and having your teeth cleaned professionally at least twice a year. Some people build up tartar more quickly and need more frequent dental hygiene treatment, but following your dental hygienist's care plan will improve your oral health.

Brushing with toothpaste helps prevent plaque, gingivitis, tartar buildup, cavities, and bad breath. Faithful daily oral hygiene practices and regular visits to your dental professional will help minimize dental problems and keep your mouth healthy.

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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