Dentists recommend descaling teeth once or twice a year, but why? First off, what is tartar and in what ways is it harmful? Additionally, what happens during a descaling session? Here is the answer to all your questions.

What is tartar?

Due to the food we consume, the mouth contains many bacteria. By combining with the mouth’s saliva, which is composed of minerals (calcium, magnesium), an accumulation of plaque hardens into tartar.
What does the presence of tartar look like? It is simply a question of examining the teeth and detecting any whitish deposits on their surface. Note that the most affected teeth are the lower incisors, the inner side of the tooth and the outer surface of the molars.

But beware, tartar is not always visible, because it can also be located at the level of the gum.

Apart from the fact that tartar detracts from aesthetics, it is also the cause of bad breath, cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis and in extreme cases it promotes the development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

What is descaling & root planing

While regular brushing can efficiently break down plaque, it is not enough to eliminate tartar. Descaling is essential to preserve your oral and general health. This treatment, performed on the teeth and gums, can be realized through different approaches. An ultrasonic device combined with streams of water will eliminate a large part of the tartar, plaque and biofilm. But most importantly, the dentist or dental hygienist will then scrape through the tooth and root (gum level) surfaces. Once these procedures are completed, it is recommended to perfect the results by polishing the teeth with calcium carbonate.

Do you have questions on this subject? Do not hesitate to talk to our dentist or dental hygienist at your next consultation!

Schedule an appointment

[contact-form-7 id= »18559″ title= »Appointment form »]