Can you Remove Dental Calculus Yourself?

One of the most commonly asked questions by patients is can you remove dental calculus yourself? Dental calculus can only be removed by a dental hygienist or dentist through a dental cleaning. You can’t remove dental calculus by yourself.

1. Picking at dental calculus 

Trying to pick at dental calculus with your hands will not only cause bleeding to the gums but it will also damage to the gums. Also there is bacteria on the hands which will can cause an oral infection.

2. Will dental calculus fall off itself?

A lot of patients think that dental calculus can fall off itself? Dental calculus generally speaking will not fall off itself and if left untreated then it will result in periodontal disease and cannot heal by itself and over a long period of time it will only get worse.

If dental calculus is not removed it will get progress below the gum line and the area it covers will get larger resulting in swollen and bleeding gums and in severe cases it will lead to the tooth becoming loose and in the end the tooth will fall out.  

3. How to remove dental calculus properly?

When calculus is still soft through proper brushing and rinsing after eating it can be removed. However, once the dental calculus hardens no matter how many times you brush the calculus it can’t be removed. Therefore, it’s advised that you visit a professional dental clinic for a professional dental cleaning and the use of a ultrasonic scaler to remove the calculus. Once the dental calculus is below the gum line scaling below the gum line is required to remove the dental calculus.

Caring For Teeth After Subgingival Scaling

Although scaling and root planing is considered a basic form of treatment, a lot of patients often worry that scaling below the gum line and root planing is invasive and want to avoid this treatment at all costs. However, let’s take a look at how scaling and root planing is carried out and how you should care for your teeth after the treatment.

Stages of Subgingival Scaling

1. The dentist will carry out a in depth examination of the mouth and measure the dental pockets with a dental probe and this will determine the form of treatment required.

2. After confirming that subgingival scaling and root planing is required, according to the pain threshold of patients the dentist will decided whether local anesthetic is required.

3. A ultrasonic scaler will be used to clean the dental calculus and bacteria from the gum pockets.

4. After the subgingival scaling and root planing depending on how severe the case is the dentist may or may not prescribe medication.

In more severe cases patients may need to attend between 2 to 4 appointments for scaling. With regular appointments and check-ups, if the gums are recovering well then there is only the need for regular dental cleanings. If there is subgingival infection then there is the possibility that flap surgery or crown lengthening might be considered.

Can you brush your teeth after subgingival scaling?

Generally speaking after subgingival scaling you can brush your teeth. To maintain treatment results you should brush at least twice a day for 3 to 5 minutes. You may experience discomfort for the next few days so you should use a soft bristle tooth brush and use medication prescribed by the dentist when needed. Also after eating each meal you should rinse out your mouth and use dental floss. 

Treating Pain After Scale & Polish

Is it normal to experiencing pain after a dental cleaning? If the pain isn’t caused by the dental cleaning then why has the pain only started after the procedure? Before a dental cleaning the gums and the teeth are covered by a thick layer of dental calculus and once the scale and polish is complete the gums will be sensitive.

 

Pain after a scale and polish is normal?

For patients who have never had a professional clean then there will be a lot more dental calculus and after the cleaning is complete the sensitivity and pain will subside in a week. During this period it’s best to avoid food that is too hot or cold. If the pain is causing too much discomfort then you should switch to using toothpaste which is used for sensitive teeth to try and alleviate the symptoms.

What causes the pain after a dental cleaning?

What patients need to understand is the pain after a dental cleaning is not caused by the cleaning itself but by the dental calculus. If you experience pain for over a week then you should make an appointment to see your dentist to check if there are any other dental problems.

1. Gingivitis or Periodontitis: Gingivitis is where the gums become inflamed and causes bleeding. However, if gingivitis progresses into periodontitis then gum pockets will form and the gums will become swollen and in serious cases it can cause the teeth to become loose and could lead to the eventual loss of the tooth.

2. Wisdom Teeth Infection: Wisdom teeth infection are more easily diagnosed as it will cause the face to swell and the surrounding gums become inflamed. However, a x-ray will have to be done to make sure that the diagnosis is correct.

3. Cavities: In most cases cavities to have any symptoms to begin with and once it starts to progressively get worse there will be sensitivity to hot and cold. In worst case scenario then it can lead to pulpitis and periodontitis and the pain of the toothache is excruciating.

Routine Scale & Polish

Can a scale and polish remove all dental calculus? How many times you need to go through a scale and polish will depend on the treatment arranged by your dentist. Let’s take a look at the procedures of a scale and polish so you can get a better understanding.

A professional clean above the gum line is what we usually refer to as a scale and polish. A dentist or dental hygienist removes all the plaque and tartar above and below the gum line, making sure to clean all the way down to the bottom of the pocket.

Can a scale & polish remove all dental calculus in one go?

In most cases the majority of patients can have dental calculus removed in one appointment. With the use of ultrasonic scaling and the high-speed ultrasonic waves which can breakdown the dental calculus above the gum line and between the teeth.

For patients that drink and smoke regularly after a scale and polish then there is also the need for dental sandblasting to remove the staining on the surface of the teeth.

Long overdue dental calculus removal will need more than one scale & polish!

Dental calculus can also be found below the gum line and will create pockets between the gums and teeth which will accumulate even more plaque. Using ultrasonic scaling and dental sandblasting only removes dental calculus above the gum line, for cleaning below the gum line scaling and root planing is often used.

After a scale polish a dentist will advise if there is a need for scaling below the gum line. The dentist will use a probe to test for the pocket depth, a depth of more than 4mm will require a second scale and polish to be done to clean below the gum line to remove the dental calculus to ensure the health of the gums.

Removing Dental Calculus

Dental calculus is a crusty deposit that is found on teeth which traps stains and also a culprit for discoloration. Dental calculus cannot be removed with brushing and can only be removed by professional dental hygienists or dentists. Generally speaking, calculus can be seen on the back of teeth and along the gum line. However, dental calculus can also be found in between teeth.

How to Remove Dental Calculus in Between Teeth?

Can dental calculus between teeth be successfully removed? Due to the area being hard to reach a lot of patients are worried that calculus can’t be completely removed. However, with a professional scale and polish dental calculus can be removed from between teeth and gum line.

A ultrasonic scaler is often used to remove the calculus, the ultrasonic scaler will emit ultrasonic waves to break down the calculus and plaque. The ultrasonic cleaner is connected to a water hose which sprays water over your teeth as it moves so there is not direct contact between the scaler to teeth and gums. Therefore, patients don’t need to worry that it will damage the teeth or gums. It is advised that a scale and polish should be done 1 to 2 times a year.  

After Scaling

Once the dental calculus has been removed you might feel that the gaps between teeth have gotten wider. The main reason for this is because the dental calculus before removal the gaps will have been blocked which cannot be seen. With the gaps between teeth being widened, parts of the tooth root may be exposed, therefore there might be soreness and sensitivity after the scaling. This is considered normal and may continue for a few days.

After a week the symptoms of soreness and sensitivity should subside, but for more serious cases where dental calculus is along the gum line then further treatment is required to remove calculus from below the gum line. If you have been diagnosed with gum disease then scaling below the gum line must be carried out to prevent the gums receding.