What Is a Calculus Bridge? And How to Prevent One on Your Teeth
Experts are linked The impact of oral health on overall health and health, which means your teeth can tell you a lot about the rest of your body. For example, poor oral hygiene can cause the following problems: heart problems. That’s why it’s important to focus on oral hygiene and pay attention to the condition of your teeth.
If tartar forms, it is a sign that your mouth is not in good health. To find out more, we asked dentists for their expert insights.
The difference between dental plaque and tartar
To understand calculus bridges, you first need to understand the materials they are made of. Simply put, calculus is hardened dental plaque.
You’re probably familiar with plaque, the sticky film that makes your teeth feel fuzzy. plaque Contains acid-producing bacteriawhich can eat away at your enamel (the hard outer layer on your teeth).
Plaque on teeth is a natural result of eating. Fortunately, you can remove plaque yourself. your Toothbrush and floss It is enough to remove this film and the bacteria in it. In other words, plaque is nothing to worry about as long as you practice good oral health habits.
Plaque becomes a problem when it turns into something else. No inspection, plaque hardened into calculus (also called tartar), unfortunately, you cannot remove this calcified plaque on your own. When it attaches to the teeth, it can cause cavities and irritate the gums, promoting the development of gum disease.
What does the Calculus Bridge look and feel like? What about other symptoms?
Sometimes hardened plaque becomes a bigger problem because it spans several teeth. “A calculus bridge forms when the calculus around a single tooth joins together to form a strong ‘bridge’ around multiple teeth,” said Joseph Dill, DDS, chief dental officer. Delta Dental Plan Association.
Once it forms, tartar can affect your smile. Because tartar can be yellow, brown, or even black or green, it can make your teeth look stained. Tartar usually darkens over time, which means the longer your bridge is left untreated, the more noticeable it will become.
When you have a tartar bridge, you may see a band of stain near your gum line. This discoloration may extend to your teeth, beneath your gums, or both.
Speaking of gums, you may notice symptoms there as well. Calculus Can irritate your gumscausing inflammation. You may notice that your gums look redder than usual. They may also bleed more easily. If left unchecked, tartar can cause gum recession, exposing more teeth and potentially leading to tooth decay or even tooth loss.
There is also an unwelcome symptom to contend with. Tartar bridges can cause bad breath.
How long does it take for a calculus bridge to form?
The answer here is for you. as Dr. Alice BerghosianConsumer Advisor Spokesperson American Dental Associationexplains, “Everyone’s body chemistry is different, so different people form stones at different rates.”
That said, the clock is ticking. In some cases, it only takes a day for plaque to calcify. By day 12, experts say 60% to 90% of dental plaque If left on the teeth, it will harden into tartar.
However, it often takes several weeks for tartar to develop to the point where it connects multiple teeth.
But that doesn’t mean you can go weeks without flossing. Once stones form, you cannot remove them at home. You will need a dentist to remove it for you. This means that even a few days of improper brushing and flossing can be enough for the hardened deposits on individual teeth to connect and form a tartar bridge.
How to remove calculus bridge?
because you can’t pass toothbrush or flossing, you need to call a professional. “Tatar bridges should only be removed by a dental professional,” Bogosian says.
To remove a bridge, your dentist uses a method called scaling, Diehl said. “(This) typically involves the use of hand instruments or ultrasonic devices to remove tartar and plaque bacteria from the tooth and root surfaces above and below the gums.”
If this sounds unpleasant, you don’t need to worry too much. While Zoom can be uncomfortable, it’s designed with you in mind. “Dental professionals often use specialized tools such as scalers and ultrasonic instruments to carefully remove tartar deposits from teeth,” says Michael J. Wei, DDS, FIADFEa cosmetic dentist in New York. “These tools are designed to effectively remove hardened plaque without causing harm to the teeth or gums.”
That said, the longer the calculus bridge is left uncontrolled, the more complicated the removal process will be. “If the tartar extends below the gum line, a deeper cleaning called root planing may be necessary to smooth the root and further remove bacteria,” Diehl says.
While scaling is usually painless because it focuses on the hard outside of the tooth, root planing can be harmful because it affects your soft tissue (i.e., your gums). Your dentist should numb the area to make it as comfortable as possible for you.
How to Prevent Calculus Bridge
Since removing a calculus bridge is a complicated and potentially unpleasant process, you may want to do your best to avoid this. Dental experts recommend some specific steps here.
- Brush and floss your teeth every day. “Clean between teeth every day with floss or an interdental cleaner to help remove plaque between teeth,” Boghosian recommends. “Follow up with a fluoride toothpaste and brush twice a day for two minutes each time.” .” Diehl recommends paying special attention to the gum line when brushing.
- Change your toothbrush regularly. “To maximize the effectiveness of your toothbrush, replace it every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles start to wear out,” advises Diehl.
- Go to the dentist regularly. “Schedule regular dental cleanings with your dentist or dental hygienist,” Wei says. “Professional cleanings can help remove plaque and tartar that regular brushing and flossing can’t remove.” Experts generally recommend seeing your dentist every six months.
- Choose the right mouthwash. Wei also recommends regular use of antibacterial mouthwash to reduce bacteria levels in the mouth.
- Eat a nutritious diet. “Limit sugary and starchy foods, which can contribute to plaque buildup,” Wei says. “A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help keep teeth and gums healthy.” He also recommends drinking water after each meal to flush away excess food debris that can contribute to plaque buildup.
- Don’t smoke. Dill and Wei both emphasized avoid smoking Reduce the risk of oral health problems. “Smoking can lead to stone formation,” Wei said. Diehl added, “Don’t be fooled into thinking that vaping is safer than smoking. This is not the case.”
What happens if you don’t treat Calculus Bridge?
If tartar bridges are not checked, deposits of hardened plaque can grow. This can lead to unwelcome symptoms such as tooth discoloration and bad breath.
The bigger issue, however, is the complexity that bridges can bring. “The longer a tartar bridge is left in place, the greater the chance of more serious dental problems developing, such as gum disease or cavities,” Wei says.
In other words, a tartar bridge makes you more susceptible to tooth decay and gum problems.
Gum disease is extremely common, affecting approximately half of U.S. adults. According to the National Institutes of Health. Just like the calculus bridge, this problem will get worse if left unaddressed. If early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) progresses to periodontitis (a severe gum infection), it can lead to serious problems such as tooth loss.
“It’s important to remember that poor oral health is associated with specific health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and respiratory disease,” Diehl said. “A diligent oral health care regimen at home and at the dentist is critical to supporting optimal oral and overall health.”
Boghosian sums it up well when he says, “Untreated tartar bridges can lead to gum disease. Regular visits to the dentist will not only treat this condition but ensure good dental health, which will positively contribute to overall health.”
When should you see your dentist for calculus bridge treatment?
Ideally, you should see your dentist before a tartar bridge forms. Make it a habit to schedule an appointment every six months. “Whether you have a tartar bridge or not, you should see your dentist or dental health professional regularly for checkups and cleanings,” Bogosian says.
At each appointment, your dentist can remove any tartar that has formed since your last visit. This prevents bridges from forming.
Good family oral health habits and twice-yearly dental appointments should prevent tartar. That said, if you notice stains on your teeth or changes in your gums, it might be time to take action. “If you notice tartar (tartar) on your teeth, it’s crucial to see your dentist as soon as possible,” Diehl says.
bottom line
Tartar bridges form when plaque hardens into tartar, and these hardened deposits then connect multiple teeth. At that point, you won’t be able to fix the problem at home.
Fortunately, dental professionals have specialized tools they can use to remove tartar. This not only eliminates negative symptoms like stains and bad breath, but also protects your overall oral health. Removing tartar bridges can reduce the likelihood of tooth decay or gum disease.
Since oral health is directly related to overall health, removing tartar bridges and preventing their recurrence can protect your health.
