Calcium deposits on teeth: Causes, treatment and prevention

Preventing calcium build-up on your teeth includes proper brushing, daily flossing, twice-yearly dental checkups, and more.

Calcium build-up – also called calcium deposits, tartar or calculus – are hardened patches of plaque that form on teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that covers the teeth and contains bacteria. If plaque is not removed on a regular basis, it will harden and form visible calcium deposits (tartar).

Tartar usually occurs in hard-to-reach areas of the teeth, especially along the gum line and between the teeth. Even if you take good care of your teeth, calcium deposits can form, so regular dental cleanings and checkups are important.

Once calcium builds up on the teeth, it cannot be removed by brushing and left untreated, it can cause tooth decay and other complications.

This article will help you identify, remove, and prevent calcium build-up in the future.

Signs and symptoms of calcium deposits

While plaque and tartar build-up may be asymptomatic at first, it is more than just a cosmetic issue and leads to various health problems. The main signs of calcium deposits are:

• A sticky film on the teeth
• Chronic bad breath (known as halitosis)
• Bloody, red gums and/or bleeding after brushing or flossing

If left untreated, calcium deposits can be very damaging to your teeth. Much more serious dental problems can occur, such as:

Removal of calcium deposits

Brushing and flossing can get rid of most plaque, helping to prevent calcium deposits from forming. However, calculus can appear both above and below the gum line, and once formed, only your dentist can remove it. This is one of the main goals of regular dental cleanings. Dentists rely on several procedures to remove tartar:

• Peeling: Scaling uses specialized tools to physically remove calcium deposits and plaque from your teeth. Today, dentists and dental hygienists often use ultrasonic scalers — instruments that vibrate at a very high rate and shoot water to get rid of tartar.
• Polishing: After your teeth have been cleaned and debrided, your dentist or hygienist will smooth the rough areas of the enamel and provide a final deep cleaning. This not only improves the appearance of your smile, but also removes rougher areas that can attract bacteria build-up.
• Scaling and root planing: In more difficult cases, the dentist will need to do more extensive work to remove calcium deposits below the gum line and in the roots of the teeth and around the bones.

Generally, the peeling and polishing procedures used to remove calcium deposits are not painful. However, if the gums are diseased or if deep cleaning (capping and root planing) needs to be done on the root of the tooth, you will need a local anesthetic.

Prevention of calcium build-up

The key to preventing calcium deposits is good oral hygiene. Regular and effective dental care can get rid of plaque, preventing it from developing into tartar. In addition, these elements are important:

• Proper brushing: Brush well and properly at least twice a day, for two minutes at a time. Electric toothbrushes are generally more effective at removing plaque.
• thread: Floss your teeth at least once a day. Be gentle but careful as you work to pull food and plaque from surfaces inaccessible to brushing.
• Eating Habits: A balanced diet helps keep your teeth and gums healthy. Cut back on snacking between meals—especially sticky and sugary foods—and be sure to brush afterward if you do have a snack. There is also an advantage to staying away from sugary sodas, candy and other sweets.
• Water irrigation systems: Water irrigation systems, such as the Water Pik, work to remove plaque and bacteria around the gum line. Water floss is especially useful for those who are hesitant to use string.
• Regular visits to the dentist: Even an excellent level of oral hygiene cannot prevent calcium deposits from forming in certain areas. You should aim to have exams twice a year.

Summary

Calcium deposits, also known as calculus or calculus, occur when the plaque on the teeth hardens and thickens. In addition to causing visible yellow, brown or black deposits, they cause bad breath and bloody gums. In turn, this can cause gingivitis, periodontitis, tooth decay, tooth loss and other dental problems.

Brushing and flossing alone cannot remove these deposits, so dentists use procedures such as scaling and polishing to remove them. Tartar prevention includes proper brushing, daily flossing, regular dental check-ups and limiting sweet snacks.