Tartar removal and polishing
If plaque remains on the tooth surface for a long time, it can calcify and harden. This is called tartar. Tartar mainly forms just under the gums and behind and between your teeth. These are the places that are often forgotten when brushing your teeth. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing properly and must be professionally removed.
Remove tartar
Once tartar has formed, it can be removed by a dental hygienist, prevention assistant or dentist. There are two ways to remove tartar: using a hook – where the tartar is scraped away – or with a device that produces ultrasonic vibrations. The vibrations cause the tartar to vibrate loose.
Teeth polishing
After the treatment, your teeth can be polished. Polishing is done with a brush in combination with a polishing paste. This polishing paste is applied to your teeth and then the teeth are polished with the brush.
Treatment Effects
Removing tartar addresses one of the causes of gum disease. If you maintain good oral hygiene after the dental cleaning, the gums can recover. Polishing can remove unwanted deposits and restore aesthetics.
Why remove and polish tartar?
Tartar can eventually cause gum problems. It is therefore important that tartar is removed. Even better is to prevent tartar. Therefore, brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and if you have been advised to do so, also clean the space between your teeth.
Alternative treatment
You cannot remove tartar yourself and must be professionally removed by the dentist, dental hygienist or prevention assistant.
Your dentist, dental hygienist or prevention assistant will advise you in the field of prevention, which dental cleaning is most suitable for your personal situation.
Source: KNMT and Dr. GA van der Weijden, dentist periodontist/implantologist
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