Is it painful to remove stones from teeth? Feelings during cleaning

Dental calculus is one of the most common pathologies. According to statistics, more than 65% of adults have it. Tartar should not be treated only as an aesthetic defect.

In addition to causing bad breath, tartar is the cause of many dental diseases and promotes infection in the body. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent stone formation, and if it forms, immediate treatment by a dentist.

What is tartar

Tartar is a hard, calcareous deposit on the surface of the tooth that is yellowish to dark brown in color. Initial plaque consists of food debris, dead cells, mucus and microorganisms. The stone is formed when soft plaque accumulates and thickens, and its gradual mineralization with calcium, phosphorus and iron salts. First, it forms in places where plaque accumulates the most: in the gingival zones, in the tooth sockets and in the interdental space. Most often on the inside of the dentition, where there is a hard-to-reach area for brushing teeth and the exit of the salivary gland canals. As the process progresses, it can cover the entire visible surface of the tooth and go under the gums.

Types of plaque

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• Soft. Formed on teeth during human life. It is not noticeable on the surface of the enamel and is easily removed from it using hygiene products.
• Solid. Once hardened, it is almost impossible to remove plaque from teeth at home.
• Supragingival stone. Formed from hard plaque. Outwardly it looks like a small dark-colored rim in the cervical area.
• Subgingival stone. It is formed under the gum, so it is not visually noticeable. It can only be detected using a special dental probe or an x-ray. If subgingival stone is not removed in time, gum resection may occur.

How quickly does a stone form?

The rate of stone formation varies from person to person and depends on hygiene skills and factors contributing to stone formation. In the absence of brushing your teeth, within a few hours after eating, a thick film of a huge number of bacteria feasting and multiplying on food debris forms on the surface of the tooth. After a week, the film thickens due to mineralization processes. On average, it takes about 4–6 months to form a dense stone. Therefore, a preventive examination by a dentist is necessary at least once every six months.

Symptoms

Signs of tartar:

• using a mirror you can see dark deposits on the teeth near the gums (mostly on the inside), which do not disappear after hygiene procedures;
• darkening of tooth enamel;
• constant bad breath;
• bleeding gums when brushing teeth;
• increased gum sensitivity;
• deepening and widening of gum pockets, exposure of tooth roots.

Only supragingival plaques can be seen visually; subgingival formations are diagnosed by a doctor.

Why is tooth stone dangerous?

In addition to an aesthetic defect, tartar is a common cause of a repulsive putrid odor from the mouth. In addition, stone formation can provoke the development of severe dental diseases:

• caries;
• gingivitis;
• periodontitis;
• tooth loss.

The presence of stone deposits reduces the local immunity of the oral cavity, which increases the proliferation of bacteria and aggravates the manifestation of their pathogenic properties. The consequence of the activity of bacteria is the destruction of tooth enamel and the development of various inflammatory processes in the oropharynx. Subgingival stones destroy the connection between teeth and bone, causing them to loosen and fall out. With severely advanced processes, it is no longer possible to stop tooth loss.

Is it painful to remove subgingival calculus?

When cleaning stone in subgingival pockets, in most cases, mild pain occurs. This is explained by the fact that the stone is attached directly to the periodontium. Even a thin layer of enamel significantly reduces tooth sensitivity; it simply does not exist in the subgingival zone. Therefore, discomfort during the procedure is a completely reliable and expected phenomenon.

Subgingival stone must be removed, as it causes the development of putrefactive bacteria and contributes to the occurrence of caries and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity.

Causes of tartar

The formation of tartar is a consequence of:

• insufficient or improper oral hygiene;
• disorders of mineral metabolism in the body, which is often associated with the presence of chronic diseases or genetic predisposition.

Factors that contribute to the formation of tartar, subject to insufficient hygiene, include:

• defective position of teeth;
• roughness of the tooth surface, often due to the installation of low-quality filling material or insufficient polishing;
• presence of braces and dentures.
• preference in the diet for soft and carbohydrate foods;
• one-sided chewing;
• smoking;
• alcohol abuse;
• hypersalivation (secretion of large amounts of saliva);
• a general decrease in the body’s immunity and the presence of foci of chronic infection.

Tartar: how to get rid of it at home

Most people understand that the best way to resolve any dental problems is to visit the dentist. However, not everyone likes to contact a specialist, delaying the visit until the last minute in the hope that the problem will somehow resolve itself. This is largely facilitated by advertising offering treatment for all occasions.

So how to remove tartar at home? Unfortunately, no way. Even the most expensive products will not be able to remove thick plaque and stone. However, ultrasonic or electric brushes, as well as special toothpastes, will help get rid of the soft plaque that is just beginning to form.

Smokers' tartar

There are practically no heavy smokers who do not have tartar. Tar from tobacco smoke and soot deposit a yellow coating on tooth enamel. It is easier for food debris to stick to this plaque and for bacteria to multiply comfortably. Gradually, under the influence of both saliva and tobacco smoke, various salts are deposited in plaque and brown tartar is formed. In addition, tobacco smoke contains toxic substances and heavy metals, which trigger the process of detachment of the gingival margin from the teeth. Food is stuffed into the deep gaps and optimal conditions are created for the growth of colonies of pathogenic bacteria. A regular toothbrush does not sweep out pathological contents from such pockets. And bacteria eat away the connective tissue between teeth and bone, exposing their roots. A dangerous inflammatory disease – periodontitis – gradually develops. Tartar deposited under the gum does not give a chance for self-healing, but turns the disease into a chronic form. Combined with the effects of tartar and destruction of the connective tissue that anchors the teeth, the process of development of periodontitis in smokers proceeds 3 times faster than in non-smokers. This leads to rapid tooth loss. According to statistics, 80-year-old smokers have 2.5 times fewer teeth than non-smokers.

Methods for removing tartar used in dentistry

Previously, only mechanical cleaning was used to remove tartar in dentistry, which involved the use of special hand tools: scalers, curettes, excavators, smoothers, chisels, rasps. The procedure was labor-intensive, long and painful for the patient, and also very traumatic.

When manually removing tartar, a fairly large layer of healthy tissue was removed from the teeth and this led to unpleasant sensitivity of the teeth and thinning of the tooth enamel. Nowadays, mechanical removal of tartar is used extremely rarely, only in cases where the patient has contraindications to other methods of cleaning teeth from deposits.

Another outdated and rarely used method of removing plaque is to clean teeth from plaque using special chemical solutions.

The teeth were treated with preparations based on alkalis or acids that dissolve mineralized deposits. However, the chemical method of removing tartar is aggressive, it carries a high risk of burns to the soft tissue of the oral cavity, it negatively affects the condition of tooth enamel, so dentists have long abandoned its use. Nowadays, two modern and highly effective methods are used to remove tartar - ultrasonic cleaning and laser cleaning. We will tell you about these technologies in detail below.

Prevention of stone deposits

Prevention of any disease is always cheaper than its treatment. This applies not only to the financial component, but also to the temporary and psychological component.

The most important thing in preventing dental diseases is proper oral hygiene.

How to brush your teeth

To prevent the formation of tartar, learn how to brush your teeth correctly:

• Movements when brushing your teeth should be “sweeping”, in the direction from the gums to the edge of the tooth.
• First brush your front teeth, then carefully treat the inner surface of the dentition.
• The chewing surface is cleaned with back-and-forth and circular movements. Don't forget about your wisdom teeth.
• The duration of cleaning should be at least 3 minutes. To do this, it is convenient to have an hourglass in the bathroom or to clean while listening to a certain musical composition.
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day. The first time is after breakfast, the second time after dinner. If you are prone to the formation of stones, brush your teeth additionally after each meal.

Choosing a toothbrush

Not everyone knows how important it is to choose the right brush. Listen to the experts:

• Choose a high-quality, medium-hard toothbrush, preferably with rubber blades, which increase the effectiveness of removing plaque and polishing teeth.
• Soft brushes are only suitable for children or during periods of bleeding and sore gums.
• Hard brushes can be used 1 or 2 times a week. They should not be used in places where the necks of the teeth are exposed, especially if the sawing cleaning is improper. This contributes to the formation of wedge-shaped defects.
• Don't forget to change your brush every month.

Interesting experiment!

American doctors conducted an experiment, the participants of which were divided into 5 groups.

The first group: brushed their teeth with regular brushes and expensive toothpaste for 1 minute.

Second group: brushed their teeth with regular brushes and expensive toothpaste for 5 minutes.

Third group: they brushed their teeth with regular brushes and cheap toothpaste for 5 minutes.

Fourth group: they tried to brush their teeth without a brush, by rubbing expensive toothpaste with their fingers.

Fifth group: brushed their teeth with regular brushes without toothpaste, but for at least 5 minutes.

The experiment lasted a week. Every day after the procedure, the cleanliness of the teeth was measured.

At the end of the week there were the following results (the more stars, the cleaner the teeth):

Conclusion: it turned out that when brushing your teeth, the toothbrush and the time spent on the procedure are important. You can brush your teeth even without toothpaste; it will be much more effective than using toothpaste without a brush. And if you clean it correctly, there is almost no difference between expensive or cheap toothpaste.

Other hygiene rules

1. For continuous use, use only therapeutic and prophylactic pastes from well-known companies. For people prone to the formation of stones, it is useful to periodically brush their teeth with abrasive whitening pastes, for example, 2 times a week.
2. After each meal, thoroughly rinse your mouth with special elixirs, and if you don’t have them on hand, you can use plain water.
3. Use floss (special thread) to remove plaque between teeth. Floss is used both after brushing your teeth and without it in the afternoon. However, do not make cutting movements (back and forth), so as not to damage the gums, the movements should be: up and down.
4. After brushing your teeth, use special devices - irrigators, which, under the pressure of a stream of water, will clean all places that are difficult for a brush to reach from bacteria and food, and improve blood circulation in the gums and dental pulp. In addition, you can polish your teeth with a special irrigator attachment, then it will be more difficult for the stone to be deposited on smooth enamel. Today, irrigators are recognized by dentists as one of the most effective ways to prevent tartar.
5. Quit smoking completely. Or, at worst, use electronic cigarettes, the vapor of which does not contain toxic substances and resins involved in the formation of stones.
6. Get a preventive examination from your dentist at least once a year, and more often if indicated.
7. Have your teeth professionally cleaned periodically.

Why do deposits appear on teeth?

The appearance of stone on initially light-colored teeth is due to various pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora. The process is promoted by streptococci, lactobacilli, some types of Treponema and many other bacteria, the treatment of which is impossible due to their widespread distribution. Plaque is nothing more than the products of their active life in the oral cavity.

Daily brushing of teeth is not able to completely remove this deposit, even if done after every meal. After all, not all hard-to-reach places can be reached with a regular brush or thread. Interdental spaces, crevices and grooves in the back teeth, as well as the area of ​​the neck of the tooth are difficult to clean on your own.

Ultrasonic toothbrushes

Recently, a new gadget has appeared on the market - an ultrasonic toothbrush. In addition to mechanical cleaning, this brush provides ultrasonic treatment of hard-to-reach areas of the tooth and gums to a depth of up to 4 mm. Ultrasonic waves destroy bacteria and effectively remove pigmentation and deposits when mineralization begins. However, such a brush cannot remove formed tartar; this can only be done by a specialist using professional equipment. In addition, the use of an ultrasonic brush is effective and safe only for people with absolutely healthy teeth.

Contraindications to ultrasonic brushes

Due to the presence of ultrasonic microvibration, the use of such brushes is not recommended for persons:

• with veneers, fillings and crowns, as their service life is reduced;
• with areas of loose and porous enamel, due to the fact that the development of the carious process accelerates due to the destruction of defective enamel;
• with gingivitis and periodontitis, due to the increased spread of infection by hematogenous route;
• with periodontal disease, as the process of bone destruction accelerates;
• having precancerous changes and cancer, due to the acceleration of the division of atypical cells.

These significant drawbacks significantly limit the use of ultrasonic brushes, since almost 95% of the adult population have certain problems. It is also not recommended to use any power brushes during pregnancy or for people with pacemakers.

Hardware ultrasonic cleaning.

This is the most popular and effective way to remove mineral deposits. Ultrasonic waves break up tartar and easily remove it from the enamel surface. Moreover, such cleaning has an antiseptic effect and is therefore also indicated for gum inflammation. If the stone formation is very dense, before the cleaning procedure, means are used to soften it, then ultrasonic removal of deposits is carried out. During ultrasonic cleaning in the area of ​​the neck of the lower incisors, when the roots are exposed, there may be mild pain. Then, at the request of the patient, local anesthesia is applied.

Despite the presence of many contraindications for the use of ultrasonic toothbrushes, the use of ultrasonic cleaning when removing stone is necessary. First, the dentist will use visual guidance to avoid areas of thinned, porous enamel. Secondly, one-time professional cleaning does not have as negative an effect on fillings as twice-daily brushing.

Laser cleaning.

The newest non-contact method of removing hard dental deposits is highly effective and absolutely painless. However, the price is much more expensive than ultrasonic. Laser cleaning has the same contraindications as ultrasonic cleaning.

Air-flow

Refers to mechanical methods. A jet of air with a therapeutic abrasive mixture is supplied under pressure, which removes both soft plaque and hard deposits. The gum area may tingle during the procedure. It is less effective than ultrasonic and laser cleaning.

Manual method

Mechanical manual method of beating stones using special tools. Currently, it is outdated due to the painfulness of the procedure, the presence of complications and the emergence of more effective methods. It is used free of charge under the compulsory medical insurance policy in public hospitals or as an additional method of treatment if indicated. Due to the painfulness of the procedure, especially when removing subgingival stones, local anesthesia is performed. It is a relative contraindication for periodontitis due to high trauma.

Does it hurt to clean stones on your teeth?

The specific sensations of a particular patient depend on the method of cleaning the stone on the teeth and the individual sensitivity of the person. Everyone's pain threshold is different, so you shouldn't rely on other people's reviews. What may seem intolerable to someone else will remind you of a mosquito bite and vice versa.

Important. When choosing a method for removing stones from teeth, listen to your doctor’s recommendations. The dentist makes a decision based on the results of the examination - the condition of the enamel, the amount of deposits, predisposition or the presence of diseases such as periodontal disease and periodontitis.

Ultrasonic cleaning

Hard dental deposits can only be removed using an ultrasonic scaler. Under the influence of ultrasonic waves, the stones completely crumble, while the enamel remains intact. The procedure is practically painless, but with increased sensitivity, discomfort may occur. In this case, the doctor uses special anesthesia.

A slight pain may also occur when treating gum pockets. But the feeling is quite tolerable and lasts literally a fraction of a second. Ultrasonic cleaning is the only possible way to remove hard stones from pockets, and you should not refuse to do it. It is better to warn your doctor before the procedure that you have increased tooth sensitivity.

When treating areas with enamel, that is, the teeth themselves, pain, as a rule, does not occur.

The main advantages of the method include:

• ideal cleaning quality - the enamel becomes smooth and even;
• the ability to remove hard deposits from interdental spaces and hard-to-reach places;
• bactericidal effect - pathogenic microflora dies under the influence of ultrasonic waves, which reduces the risk of caries;
• optical effect - after removing brown spots and stripes, the enamel becomes visually lighter.

The procedure for removing tartar is mandatory before prosthetics, implantation, before installing braces, and other orthopedic manipulations. Hygienic cleaning with a scaler is also indicated in cases of periodontal disease and periodontitis, twice a year. In other cases, it is recommended to remove tartar with ultrasound once every 12 months.

The duration of the procedure depends on the condition of the patient’s teeth, but, as a rule, does not exceed 40-60 minutes. In especially severe cases, the doctor performs cleaning over several visits.

There are contraindications:

• severe heart disease, the presence of a pacemaker - the ultrasonic wave can disrupt the rhythm of the heart or the device;
• pregnancy - ultrasonic cleaning can negatively affect the development of the fetus, and also lead to miscarriage or premature birth;
• increased pathological sensitivity of the enamel - here we are talking not so much about the pain syndrome, but about the reaction of the body as a whole;
• rehabilitation period after operations and infectious diseases.

Another risk factor is childhood. You can remove stones from your teeth no earlier than two years after the last tooth erupts.

Important. It is not possible to remove hard plaque from teeth at home. In fact, the stone grows into the pores of the enamel, and even the hardest toothbrush is not able to remove it.

Laser removal

From a pain point of view, the procedure is considered completely painless. The laser beam completely destroys hard and soft deposits without affecting the enamel. Dentists recommend removing tartar with a laser in cases where cleaning of the gum pockets is not required. Perhaps this is the only drawback of the procedure.

After laser cleaning, the enamel becomes smoother, its resistance to external influences increases, and the likelihood of caries, gingivitis, and stomatitis decreases. The procedure takes no more than an hour. The main indication for laser stone removal is the presence of hard plaque on the teeth.

There are a number of contraindications - pregnancy, postoperative period, decreased immunity, infectious diseases. These also include untreated caries, a large number of fillings, and increased sensitivity of tooth enamel.

Laser stone removal is an expensive procedure.

Air-Flow

The procedure involves cleaning teeth from stone using a water-dispersed mixture under pressure. Small crystals remove soft plaque from the enamel, while simultaneously polishing it. The main advantage of the technique is a high degree of teeth cleansing even in the most difficult to reach places, including gum pockets.

Air-Flow is traditionally used in combination as a subsequent step after ultrasonic cleaning. As a result, teeth are completely cleaned of hard and soft deposits. The teeth become smooth, as if polished.

The special advantages of the method include:

• painlessness - the patient does not experience discomfort even with very sensitive enamel;
• excellent result - interdental spaces, gum pockets are perfectly cleaned, pigmentation is eliminated;
• natural whitening – by removing stains, teeth become one or two shades lighter;
• hypoallergenic - the mixture contains water, fine-crystalline soda, citrus fragrance.

The effect is especially noticeable for those who have orthopedic structures installed in their mouths - crowns, braces, veneers, implants. The procedure is also recommended for regular use by smokers and lovers of strong tea and coffee.

Removing stones from teeth using this method is contraindicated:

• patients with respiratory diseases - to avoid a possible attack;
• with thin enamel and pathological sensitivity of teeth;
• with caution during pregnancy.

The procedure is carried out in 30-40 minutes, while the patient experiences a feeling of comfort, which is facilitated by a light massage of the gums.

Complete cleaning of teeth and interdental pockets reduces the risk of caries to a minimum.

Chemical removal

It is also possible to clean off old tartar chemically - this method is now used extremely rarely, only in cases where ultrasound and air flow are powerless. A composition containing chemically active substances is applied to the enamel. Under their influence, the stone softens and is cleaned manually.

The method is painless, but is not recommended for thin enamel, increased tooth sensitivity and the presence of open carious cavities.

The second name of the procedure is chemical bleaching. The enamel becomes lighter by 3-4 tones.

Mechanical cleaning

The procedure is extremely unpleasant and is now practically not used anywhere. Hard tartar and soft plaque are removed with special metal spatulas. During the manipulation, there is a high risk that the doctor’s hand may slip and the instrument may damage the gums. The effectiveness of the method is in question, since it is not possible to completely remove deposits.

After the procedure

At the end of the procedure, regardless of the method of stone removal, the dentist must grind and thoroughly polish the enamel.

Sometimes, at the request of the patient, after cleaning, the teeth are coated with a special protective composition against infection and plaque buildup.

Within 15 days after cleaning:

• Do not use bleaching abrasive pastes;
• the use of toothpastes from the “sensitive” series, based on herbs and with an anti-inflammatory effect, is indicated;
• rinses with astringent and soothing properties are recommended;
• Do not eat spicy foods or dyes;
• categorically give up smoking or at least abstain for this period.

Will my teeth hurt after the procedure?

Your teeth will not hurt after brushing the stone. On the contrary, the resulting feeling of freshness in the mouth contributes to an overall comfortable feeling. Your doctor may recommend using mouthwash for a while after cleansing.

Important. After the procedure, it is recommended not to eat or smoke for a couple of hours.

Do not ignore preventive visits to the dentist.

It is enough to visit a specialist 1 – 2 times a year, which will allow you to promptly identify any dental problem at an early stage of development. This means that its elimination will be quick, easy and without complications.

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Are there any traditional methods for removing stones?

There are no home methods to remove stones in one procedure, like in clinics. Moreover, with extensive and long-fossilized formations, traditional methods will not help. Grandmother's recipes can only be used when stone formation begins, when the deposits are thick, but still loose and light. In this case, the following will help:

• cleansing teeth with radish pieces;
• It is also useful to eat a salad of grated radish with lemon every day;
• brush your teeth with fresh and already cooled coal ash;
• soften plaque with hydrogen peroxide, then brush your teeth with soda.

It should be noted that the first two methods will definitely not cause harm; they can be safely used, even if they do not help. But the last two options do not have clinical trials and proven effectiveness, and therefore may be unsafe. Therefore, you should not take such dubious and radical measures on your own when dental care is available to everyone.

Home Remedies

Home remedies for plaque removal are rather preventative. In order to maintain dental health, it is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a toothbrush and suitable toothpaste.
• Use toothpicks and dental floss after meals, as the brush cannot reach hard-to-reach places.
• Use mouthwash regularly.

Small plaque can be removed using pastes containing abrasives or tooth powder. When using them you need to be careful, as you can damage not only the enamel, but also the mucous membrane of the gums. You need to be even more careful if you decide to remove plaque from your teeth with whitening agents - soda, hydrogen peroxide. Their uncontrolled use can cause problems with dental health.

Contraindications

Contraindications for hardware teeth cleaning include:

• wearing dentures and braces;
• the presence of implants in the body, including pacemakers;
• ARVI, active stage of tuberculosis, HIV infection;
• oncological diseases;
• pregnancy (or with the permission of an obstetrician-gynecologist);
• childhood, until all baby teeth are replaced.
• pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a relative contraindication to dental cleaning. Dental procedures can be performed during a satisfactory pregnancy with the permission of an obstetrician-gynecologist. If there is a threat of miscarriage or other serious conditions, it will be recommended to postpone the removal of stone deposits and the beauty of the smile.