When you visit Avalon Dental Care for your regular dental cleaning, our hygienist will use a special tool known as a plaque scraper or dental scaler to remove plaque and tartar deposits, leaving your teeth beautifully clean and fresh. Here’s all you need to know about this dental tool and why it should be left to the professionals.
What Is a Plaque Scraper and How Does It help?
Plaque scrapers or dental scalers are metal instruments with dangerously sharp points that dental hygienists use to remove every last bit of plaque and tartar from your teeth, roots, and gum line. If not removed, plaque and tartar can cause serious oral health concerns, including tooth decay and gum disease. That’s why we emphasize the importance of maintaining your twice-a-year dental visits.
Our dental hygienists have extensive training in using a dental scaler and a keen understanding of what to look for and how to remove plaque and tartar safely. Despite what the do-it-yourself plaque scraper promises of safe and effective plaque removal, this seemingly simple task can cause irreversible harm to your oral health.
What Are the Dangers of Using a Plaque Scraper at Home?
Plaque scrapers are specialized medical tools requiring extensive training on safe and effective use. Our dental hygienists participate in a two-year program and earn a degree that allows them to use scalers on the public.
We cannot overemphasize the dangers of DIY scaling of your teeth. Plaque scrapers are sharp, and their improper use can cause trauma to your delicate gum tissue. That can lead to gum recession, exposing your tooth roots which, in turn, can result in tooth sensitivity.
Plaque scrapers can scratch your tooth enamel and injure your tongue, cheeks, or other soft tissue. They can also cause infections, and one way they do that is by pushing tartar under the gum line, which may lead to a gum abscess and a host of complications requiring urgent dental attention.
Removing Plaque and Tartar Safely
The best way to remove plaque safely and promote your oral health is to maintain meticulous oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash. It’s also important to schedule your twice-a-year dental exams and cleanings so our trained dental hygienist can remove any plaque or tartar buildup with a scaler and other specialized dental tools.
Quality Preventive Dental Care in El Segundo and Lomita
Contact Avalon Dental Care to schedule your routine dental cleaning. Our team will evaluate your oral health to ensure everything is in tip-top shape. If you’re considering using a plaque scraper at home, please talk to one of our team members. We’ll discuss home care measures for long-term healthy smiles. Call us and schedule your appointment today!
FAQs
Plaque scrapers and dental scalers are specialised medical tools that require extensive training to learn how to use them safely. Using DIY scrapers at home can lead to misuse and: Damage your delicate gum tissue. It can also cause gum recession, exposing your teeth's sensitive roots.
Is it safe to use a plaque scraper at home? ›
Plaque scrapers and dental scalers are specialised medical tools that require extensive training to learn how to use them safely. Using DIY scrapers at home can lead to misuse and: Damage your delicate gum tissue. It can also cause gum recession, exposing your teeth's sensitive roots.
What are the dangers of scraping teeth? ›
Trauma to the gum tissue isn't just painful, it can also cause gum recession. This means that the gum tissue lowers and exposes the sensitive roots of the teeth. The sharp plaque scraper could also cause injuries to your cheeks, tongue, or other soft tissues.
Is it bad to scrape plaque off your own teeth? ›
Although plaque scrapers can be purchased in some stores and online, it's not a good idea to use them yourself. Because plaque scrapers are sharp, improper use can damage the delicate gum tissue. Trauma to the gum tissue isn't just painful, it can also cause receding gums, exposing the sensitive roots of the teeth.
Is plaque removal harmful? ›
To avoid serious oral health conditions associated with dental plaque, visit your dentist regularly and practice good oral hygiene at home. This includes brushing and flossing every day. Keeping your teeth free from plaque significantly reduces your risk for cavities, gum disease and other harmful conditions.
Is it safe to descale your own teeth? ›
Scaling should not be performed at home and should be left to clinicians at the dental practice. It's not even something that's recommended for everyone in the first place.
Is it bad to scrape plaque off your teeth with your finger? ›
If you try to scrape or scratch plaque off your teeth at home, you can severely damage the enamel on your teeth. This includes scraping tartar off with your finger; don't ever do that! You should also avoid attempting to remove plaque from your teeth using something hard, like tweezers.
Why can't I scrape my own teeth? ›
Scraping tarter off your own with other tools is not a good idea. Because these tools require special training to use properly, you could do more harm than good to your smile. Without proper training, you could injure your gums, which can lead to infection. In addition, harsh tools can damage the enamel on your teeth.
Are sonic plaque removers any good? ›
In a nutshell, ultrasonic tooth cleaners are a game-changer in daily dental care. They're easy to use, great for keeping your teeth free from the villains of oral health, and an excellent way to complement your regular dental routine. But remember, they don't replace the need for professional care.
How to remove tartar from teeth without a dentist? ›
Naturally antibacterial, white vinegar will help to demineralise or soften tartar if used once or twice daily as a mouthwash. Swish a mixture of 2 cups of warm water, 2 teaspoons of white vinegar and a pinch of salt around your mouth for a few minutes. Do this after or between brushing your teeth.
While you may be wondering how to remove tartar from your teeth without a dentist, it is best to seek help from a dental professional for a clean and accurate job! Once plaque hardens into tartar, a toothbrush can't remove it.
What is the best tool to remove plaque from teeth? ›
Scalers. Scalers are the teeth cleaning tools that actually remove the unwanted buildup on your teeth and help you to maintain your overall oral hygiene. Even with regular brushing and flossing, soft plaque gradually builds up. Plaque is a sticky film that develops when you eat and drink.
What is the white stuff I scrape off my teeth? ›
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth every day: You know, that slippery/fuzzy coating you feel when you first wake up. Scientists call plaque a “biofilm” because it's actually a community of living microbes surrounded by a gluey polymer layer.
How to scrape calculus off teeth at home? ›
Clean using Baking soda– A mixture of baking soda and salt is an effective home remedy for dental calculus removal. Brushing your teeth with baking soda and salt softens the calculus, making it easy to remove. The mixture should smoothly be scrubbed on the teeth by using a toothbrush.
How to remove plaque from teeth at home naturally? ›
Brushing with baking soda can safely and effectively remove plaque. While still abrasive, baking soda toothpaste is not as hard as the enamel that makes up teeth and can remove plaque without damaging the enamel.
Will my teeth fall out after tartar removal? ›
Once that buildup is removed, in comparison, your teeth feel loose. But that doesn't make them likely to fall out! In spite of that increased feeling of looseness, removing the plaque and tartar buildup helps your gums and roots to reattach to your teeth, creating better oral health for you!
Can you use a plaque remover yourself? ›
Although consumer plaque scrapers are widely available, it's not a good idea to use them yourself. We'll give you the scoop on why home plaque scrapers can be risky business – and the best way you can remove plaque.
Can you safely remove plaque at home? ›
Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once daily can help remove plaque from teeth and prevent tartar from forming. Other home remedies that can prevent plaque buildup include brushing the teeth with baking soda toothpaste and using a water flosser.
Is it safe to use plaque off? ›
There are no known side effects, however, due to the rich iodine content of seaweed, this product may not be suitable for animals undergoing thyroid treatment. If unsure, consult your vet for advice before starting using ProDen PlaqueOff®.
