Dental Hygiene – Tartar Removal
Tartar removal is essential for maintaining dental hygiene and the overall health of your teeth. Tartar is a hard, yellow or brown deposit that forms on the teeth and gums. This calcified plaque cannot be removed with home methods or regular brushing, requiring dental intervention. Tartar forms as a result of a combination of bacteria, food particles, and minerals from saliva. If tartar remains on the surface of the teeth for an extended period, it can lead to several problems, including tooth decay, gingivitis, bad breath, and in more severe cases, periodontal disease.
Újbuda Medical Center, located in the heart of the 11th district, offers high-quality, painless tartar removal treatments. Modern dental tools and techniques ensure that tartar is removed quickly and effectively, preventing more serious issues from developing.
In this guide, we will explain why tartar removal is important, how tartar forms, the steps involved in the treatment, and how to maintain oral hygiene after the procedure.
Why Does Tartar Form?
There are several reasons for the formation of tartar, stemming from various combined factors. While regular oral care is recommended for everyone, some individuals are more prone to rapid tartar buildup due to genetic or environmental factors. The most common causes include:
- Poor oral hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing fail to fully remove plaque, which hardens into tartar over time. This is especially true for areas between the teeth and below the gumline, which are harder to reach with a toothbrush.
- Certain foods and drinks: Consuming sugary and starchy foods, along with coffee, tea, and sodas, promotes plaque buildup, which can eventually turn into tartar.
- Smoking: Smoking is not only harmful to overall health but also affects the teeth. Nicotine and other substances in tobacco quickly deposit on the teeth, creating a yellowish-brown layer that results in thick tartar deposits.
- Genetic factors: Some individuals are genetically predisposed to faster tartar formation, even with proper oral care.
- Gum problems and injuries: Inflammation, injury, or irritation of the gums can lead to dead cells accumulating along the teeth, contributing to tartar formation.
- Improper dental treatments: Poorly performed dental treatments, lack of regular check-ups, and insufficient cleanings can also contribute to rapid tartar buildup.
Removing tartar is vital for maintaining oral health, as its accumulation over time can lead to serious dental issues such as tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontal disease.
The Importance of Tartar Removal
Tartar is not just an aesthetic issue. If left untreated, it can lead to various dental problems that, in severe cases, may result in tooth loss. Regular tartar removal helps prevent the following issues:
- Gingivitis: Tartar irritates the gums, causing them to become inflamed, swollen, and prone to bleeding. If left untreated, this inflammation can spread to the entire gum, leading to periodontal disease.
- Periodontal disease: Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontal disease, where the tissues and bone supporting the teeth gradually break down, potentially resulting in tooth loss.
- Tooth enamel damage: Tartar deposits can erode the enamel, making it thinner and more sensitive. This increases the likelihood of tooth decay as the enamel loses its protective function.
- Bad breath: Tartar and the accumulated bacteria can cause persistent bad breath if not properly addressed.
By removing tartar, you not only protect the health of your teeth and gums but also ensure fresh breath and a brighter, healthier smile.
Tartar Removal at Újbuda Medical Dental
Located in the center of the 11th district, Újbuda Medical Center's dental clinic offers professional tartar removal services by highly qualified experts using modern equipment. The tartar removal treatments available here are quick, painless, and effective. We use the latest technologies to ensure that our patients feel safe and achieve the best results.
Tartar removal is a simple but essential dental treatment that helps maintain the health of your teeth and gums. At Újbuda Medical Center, our professionals follow a multi-step process to ensure thorough cleaning and complete removal of tartar.
Steps of Tartar Removal
- Initial Examination
Before starting the tartar removal, our dentist or dental hygienist thoroughly examines your teeth and gums. This assessment helps determine the extent and location of tartar, as well as identify any other dental issues such as cavities or gum inflammation. X-rays are often used during this examination to detect deeper tartar deposits and other problems.
- Ultrasonic Tartar Removal
An ultrasonic device is one of the most common and effective methods for tartar removal. This tool uses rapid vibrations and a fine water spray to loosen and remove tartar. Ultrasonic tartar removal is painless and quick, minimizing treatment time and discomfort. The vibrations gently affect the teeth and gums while the water spray cools the tissues, ensuring a comfortable experience.
- Manual Cleaning
After the ultrasonic treatment, if necessary, manual tools (curettes and scalers) are used to remove any remaining tartar between the teeth and below the gumline. These tools allow the dentist to precisely remove deposits in hard-to-reach areas.
- Polishing
After tartar removal, the surface of the teeth is smoothed and polished. This is not only important for aesthetics but also helps prevent future plaque and tartar buildup. Our dentists use special polishing paste and soft-bristled brushes to gently smooth the tooth surfaces while removing small impurities and stains.
- Air-Brush Polishing
The Air-Brush technique, part of the polishing process, uses fine particles and an air stream to clean the tooth surfaces. This is particularly effective in cleaning hard-to-reach areas and removing surface stains while giving the teeth a shiny finish.
- Post-Treatment Advice
After the procedure, our dentists will provide advice on proper oral hygiene to prevent tartar from forming again. This includes demonstrating proper brushing techniques, recommending regular flossing, and suggesting suitable oral care products. The dentist may also recommend using fluoride toothpaste, which helps protect teeth from plaque and tartar buildup.
After Tartar Removal
Maintaining proper oral hygiene is crucial after tartar removal. The period following tartar removal is key to ensuring the long-term health of your teeth and gums. Here are some important things to keep in mind post-treatment:
- Sensitivity: Your teeth may be sensitive after the procedure, especially when consuming hot or cold drinks. This is a normal reaction and should subside within a few days.
- Eating: After tartar removal, it’s advisable to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours to allow the gums to heal. In the first few days, avoid very hot or cold foods, as well as strongly colored beverages like coffee and red wine.
- Oral hygiene: Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean your teeth and gums. Flossing is especially important for cleaning between the teeth.
- Regular check-ups: To prevent tartar buildup, regular dental check-ups are crucial. It's recommended to have a tartar removal procedure at least once a year to maintain the health of your teeth and gums.
How to Prevent Tartar Formation
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to prevent tartar formation. The following tips can help you avoid tartar buildup or at least slow its formation:
- Regular brushing: Brush your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and at night, using fluoride toothpaste. Pay special attention to all surfaces of the teeth, including the spaces between the teeth and along the gumline. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging the gums and enamel.
- Flossing: Flossing helps remove plaque from between the teeth, where the toothbrush cannot reach. The spaces between the teeth are particularly prone to tartar buildup, so regular flossing is essential.
- Mouthwash: Using mouthwash helps remove bacteria and plaque, as well as freshen your breath. Choose a fluoride mouthwash, which helps strengthen enamel and prevent plaque buildup.
- Healthy diet: Avoid foods and drinks high in sugar, as they promote plaque and tartar formation. Drink plenty of water and choose foods that benefit oral health, such as fresh vegetables and fruits.
- Regular dental check-ups: The best way to remove tartar is through regular dental check-ups. Visit your dentist at least once a year for a thorough examination and tartar removal if necessary.
Újbuda Medical Dental Services
Located in the heart of Újbuda, in the 11th district, Újbuda Medical Center provides comprehensive dental services for its patients. Our dental practice is equipped with modern technology, including three treatment rooms and a state-of-the-art diagnostic department (panoramic X-ray, CBCT, intraoral X-ray). Whether it’s routine tartar removal or more complex dental procedures, our expert team is ready to help you achieve a perfect smile and maintain healthy teeth.
Book an Appointment Now!
If you notice tartar buildup on your teeth and want to get rid of it, don’t hesitate to contact us! The dental professionals at Újbuda Medical Center can help you remove tartar and achieve a bright, healthy smile. Call us at +36 1 800 1 1080 to schedule a tartar removal appointment today! Don’t let tartar jeopardize the beauty and health of your smile!