Calculus is a mineralized hard deposit most often localized on the surface of the lower front teeth. It is formed from plaque that forms on the teeth after only half an hour. This plaque that forms if you do not brush your teeth well is inhabited by bacteria that are present in the mouth and after seven days the plaque hardens and tartar forms.
Which patients have calculus?
Tartar primarily occurs in patients who have poor oral hygiene. However, it also occurs in patients with good oral hygiene and then the cause can be the composition of the saliva (when consuming foods with high concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals), orthodontic anomalies (compacted teeth that can not be well cleaned), genetic predisposition to periodontitis , poor fillings on the teeth (fillings that reduce so adequate cleaning is not possible) and poor protective work where adequate cleaning of the interdental spaces is not possible.
How does calculus affect the mouth and the health of the whole organism?
Since calculus contains large amounts of acid-producing bacteria, enamel dissolves, which then becomes softer and more susceptible to caries. In addition, calculus presses on the gums and leads to its inflammation (gingivitis), redness, bleeding and eventually to the retraction of the gums. This untreated gingivitis progresses to the periodontium (the ligament that holds the teeth to the bone) and can cause the tooth to loosen and eventually fall out.
The large number of microorganisms present in the mouth of patients with periodontitis is very harmful to overall health of the organism. Scientific research has shown that the presence of periodontitis is considered a factor in the development of certain systemic diseases. Therefore, periodontitis may increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and preterm birth of low birth weight infants.
How to remove calculus and can it be prevented?
Unfortunately, calculus formation cannot be prevented, but with good oral hygiene (use of dental floss, interdental brushes and toothpastes) and regular calculus removal and prophylactic cleaning, we can keep it under control and influence the speed of its formation.
Dental prophylaxis includes calculus removal, tooth sandblasting, polishing, cleaning with interdental brushes and floss, and maintenance instructions in oral hygiene.
We recommend doing prophylaxis at least twice a year.
