What is Calculus?

What is Calculus Made of?

Our mouths are filled with many things. Indeed, they’re filled with teeth and gums and our tongue and such, but they are also filled with bacteria that form into other substances, depending on certain factors. Plaque is one of the substances found in our mouths that form due to bacteria, and if we are not careful, it can turn into a problem that we cannot fix on our own.

Over time, plaque will turn into calculus, which is a substance that we cannot remove on our own. While some calculus is normal and even expected by many dentists of their patients, some people will end up with severe cases of it, which will necessitate a visit to their dentist to help them remove it. Calculus can cause a variety of issues for a patient, so it’s important that a patient seeks the help of a dentist as soon as they can to remove the substance in order to help restore their oral health to a good place.

How Do You Get Rid of Calculus?

To understand how to get rid of calculus, we must first understand how it forms. Calculus is a hardened plaque that forms when the plaque in your mouth precipitates, which kills the bacterial cells in the plaque and leaves behind the hardened material. This new surface on your teeth and gums makes further plaque and calculus build up possible and easier. If you do not floss or regularly brush your teeth, your chances of having the plaque in your mouth harden into calculus increases, and this will become a problem for those who do not see the dentist regularly.

Once plaque has hardened into calculus, only dental tools will be able to remove it. Your dentist may choose between a variety of tools, but using a scaler or an ultrasonic scaler will probably be the tool of choice. Removing calculus should be painless since your dentist is only removing a surface issue from your teeth and gums, which does not involve the nerves in your mouth. The most pain a patient may feel will come after the procedure when the gums are exposed once more after the calculus is gone. These gums will be tender and will need time to become less sensitive, but this should subside soon.

Following this procedure, regular flossing and brushing will help keep calculus away, which will make your mouth healthier and make your future cleanings by your dentist easier.

Del Mar, California Dentist Ready to Help You

When our teeth are in need of care and attention, we know we need to see a dentist. Our dentists are important for our mouth health, and so it’s important that we visit them regularly to ensure that our health is at its best. At the Del Mar, California dental office of Curtis L. Chan, D.D.S., we know how important it is to get you the care you need so that your teeth and gums are healthy and well. We are happy to help with your dental needs, whatever they are. Call our San Diego, California office today to set up an appointment for care at (858) 481-9090.