Do you want to know what is calculus bridge and how to treat it fully with safe and best treatment options? Keep reading this article as here I have mentioned each and every detail about it.
First, you should ask yourself a question; Why it is important to visit a dentist regularly?
Well, having a beautiful and healthy set of teeth is very important for overall well being but there are some oral issues that can make you look unappealing like missing or crooked teeth, plaque, gum disease, etc. That is why it is important to visit a dentist regularly.
According to Dentists:
A regular Dental Cleaning (every 3 to 6 months) is very important to avoid oral issues and to keep your teeth and gum healthy.
Table of Contents
What is Calculus Bridge?
Calculus is also known as tartar which is the white or yellowish deposit of minerals on the surface of the teeth. It occurs when the pre-existing plaque has become hardened.
What is Plaque?
Plaque is a sticky, colorless to yellow deposits that regularly formed on your teeth. (1)
When saliva and food combine they produce bacteria that collect between teeth and gums. There are both good and bad bacteria found in saliva, but there are such components in the saliva that help in the formation of Plaque initially.
Plaque is soft and can be removed with regular brushing and flossing but once it hardens it is difficult to remove (Calculus).
As our teeth are constantly in the saliva so calculus can be formed within a few weeks.
Where is Calculus formed?
It is usually formed in the centerline on sulcus in between the subgingival and teeth or could be found along the gum line which is composed of organic and inorganic components.
In the picture, you can clearly see, how a calculus bridge looks like.
It is very important to remove Calculus build up because it is loaded with bacteria. Once it is built, it is difficult to remove at home and one must visit a dentist for the proper cleaning and removal.
With professional cleaning and regular checkups, you can avoid any of the dental issues and have healthy teeth and gums.
Symptoms of Calculus Bridge
Following are some of the common symptoms:
- Tooth decay
- Receding gum line
- Bad breath
- White or yellow hard deposits on teeth
- Chronically inflamed Gingiva
- Tooth loss due to the deep penetration of tartar or calculus
Causes of Calculus Bridge
The following could be the causes:
- Unhealthy Diet
- Precipitation of Minerals present in Plaque
- No Care of Teeth
- Smoking
- Tea or Coffee
- Too much consumption of Sweets or Chocolates etc…
If proper treatment is not given at the early stages, it continues growing and end up with tooth removal.
Calculus Bridge Removal
There are basically 2 ways to remove calculus:
- At Home
- At Clinic
Here I am going to tell you both.
At Home
Following are some of the common ways of calculus removal at home:
1. Brushing
Do regular brushing a minimum 2 times a day with a hard toothbrush. Make sure that you do brushing 1 time with a baking soda or activated charcoal to whiten teeth and to remove any kind of buildup.
To do it properly, add some water to baking soda or charcoal and make a paste and then use this paste to do it 1 time a day.
Please Note: Do not do it more than once a day (baking soda or charcoal).
2. Flossing
Flossing is very beneficial in removing plaque and calculus buildup. After every brushing floss your teeth properly and you will see a good result.
Make sure that you floss below the gumline on each tooth to remove any kind of buildup or plaque as much as possible.
3. Orange Peels
Take the orange peel and rub it with your hand properly on your teeth for 2-3 minutes. It has vitamin C in it which helps fight against bacteria and removes the tartar.
You can also grind it and make a paste by adding some water into it and then brush with it.
At Clinic
When the plaque and tartar become hard and it cannot be removed with regular brushing and flossing then you must look for the different treatment options that will help you remove it efficiently.
Here are the 2 most common ways to remove it properly at the clinic:
- The first treatment is ultrasonic removal which is done using vibrations of high frequency that help in scraping off the remaining calcium deposits and tartar.
- The second treatment method includes hand tools. They are used for cleaning the teeth surface so that smaller deposits of calculus can be removed as these tools are specially designed according to the shape of the teeth for efficient cleaning of the teeth.
Both treatment methods will offer you smooth, clean and healthy teeth.
Benefits of Dental Calculus Removal!
After the treatment, you will feel refresh for a longer period of time without any kind of build-up or bad breath. The biggest benefit is, it inhibits the further accumulation or development of bacteria which could cause periodontal or gum diseases.
FAQs
Following are some of the most frequently asked questions:
What is the Cost of the Treatment?
There is no fixed amount for the treatment as it totally depends, what kind of treatment is required. Only the dentist can tell you the exact amount.
How long is the Treatment Process?
Usually, the treatment period is short, but in some cases, it could last from a week to a month.
Is there any Age Limit?
No, there is no age limit for this.
Is the Treatment Painful?
In most cases, the treatment is not painful.
The Bottom Line!
Now it’s your turn! Do regular brushing minimum twice a day to avoid any oral issues. If due to any reason you still see the symptoms of Calculus Bridge (mentioned above) then visit a dentist for a thorough check-up.
The information present on this webpage has not been evaluated by any medical authority such as the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). All information is for educational purposes only. Strictly saying, we do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. You must consult a medical professional before acting on any content on this website.
Usama is a medical student (MD) and loves to share his medical knowledge. He loves to write on different health and medical conditions for a better understanding of a common person. To know more about him visit the About page.