Understanding the root cause of a health problem is an important step in choosing the right treatment and achieving long-term results. The same principle applies to oral health. While a healthy, bright smile may give us confidence, the foundation of dental health lies in the hidden areas inside and around the teeth. That’s why tartar cleaning is the first and most important step toward a healthy smile.
What Is Tartar Cleaning?
Tartar cleaning is the process of removing stains, plaque, and tartar that form around the teeth for various reasons. Through this procedure, harmful deposits around the gums are eliminated, and the mouth is restored to ideal hygiene. It is not possible to perform tartar cleaning without visiting a dentist. This procedure must be carried out professionally by dental specialists.
Who Needs Tartar Cleaning?
Tartar can form around the teeth and gums due to poor oral hygiene, irregular or no brushing, smoking, or excessive snacking during the day. This often causes bad breath, bleeding gums, and gum recession. Even if there are no such complaints, if a dentist detects the presence of tartar, tartar cleaning should be performed to restore optimal oral hygiene.
In addition, braces may require the use of special cleaning tools such as interdental brushes and dental floss to better reach the areas around the teeth. Therefore, tartar cleaning during orthodontic treatment is important for maintaining oral health and cleanliness. Regular dental check-ups and cleaning with braces can help prevent tartar buildup and reduce the risk of cavities. Patients with braces should follow their dentist’s recommendations.
How Is Tartar Cleaning Done?
Tartar cleaning is performed using a device called a cavitron, which has a metal tip that releases water to prevent the teeth from heating up. The vibrations of the tool break apart tartar and remove it without damaging the teeth. Local anesthesia is usually not needed for this procedure. It typically takes about 45 minutes. Although mild discomfort may occur, the procedure is not unbearably painful. For patients who experience significant pain, cleaning can be performed in 2 to 4 sessions under local anesthesia.
After tartar is removed with the cavitron and the teeth and gums are thoroughly cleaned, a special paste and brush are used to polish the teeth and remove any remaining stains, completing the tartar cleaning process.
What Should Be Considered After Tartar Cleaning?
Experiences from patients and observations from dentists have highlighted some important points to consider after tartar cleaning. To ensure that your clean and healthy smile lasts longer, it is crucial to follow these guidelines:
Maintain Oral Hygiene Habits:
Continue your oral care routine after tartar cleaning. Brush your teeth regularly, use dental floss, and rinse with mouthwash to keep bacteria under control. This helps prevent new tartar buildup.
Regular Dental Check-Ups:
Keep up with routine dental visits after tartar cleaning to detect potential problems early. Don’t forget to attend check-ups as recommended by your dentist.
Healthy Eating Habits:
A balanced diet positively affects the condition of your teeth and gums. Avoid sugary and acidic foods, and make sure to include fibrous foods in your meals.
Limit Smoking and Alcohol Consumption:
Smoking and excessive alcohol intake can harm your oral health. Staying away from these habits helps your teeth remain white and healthy.
Use Protective Appliances:
If you have teeth grinding or clenching issues, consider using protective appliances like a night guard. These prevent you from damaging your teeth.
Keep Oral Care Tools Up to Date:
Remember to replace your toothbrush and dental floss regularly. Worn-out tools cannot provide effective cleaning.
Avoid Stress:
Stress may cause problems like teeth grinding or clenching. Managing stress can help protect your oral health.
Follow Your Dentist’s Recommendations:
Adhere to the advice and instructions your dentist gives, especially regarding aftercare following tartar cleaning.
These tips are essential to maintain your oral health and ensure a long-lasting, healthy smile after tartar cleaning. Remember, consistent oral care and regular dental check-ups make it easier to diagnose problems early and support effective treatment.
How Often Should Tartar Cleaning Be Done?
It is often said that tartar cleaning should be performed every 6 months, but the important thing is to visit the dentist every 6 months for routine check-ups. If your dentist detects tartar during these visits, tartar cleaning should be carried out. However, for individuals who pay great attention to oral hygiene, tartar may not form within 6 months, and in such cases, tartar cleaning is not necessary. A polishing procedure will be sufficient.
Does Tartar Cleaning Hurt?
Tartar cleaning is generally not a painful procedure. However, patients with sensitive teeth may feel a slight twinge during the cleaning. Some discomfort may be experienced after tartar cleaning, but this is usually temporary. During the cleaning, mineral deposits are removed from the surface of the teeth, which may increase sensitivity. In addition, the gums may be slightly irritated. This sensitivity usually occurs immediately after the procedure or may last for a few hours. Rarely, it can last for a few days, but in such cases, the pain is not severe. Sensitivity may increase in response to stimuli such as cold or hot drinks, or hard or spicy foods.
Periodontology plays a critical role in tartar cleaning by focusing on dental health and helping patients regain a healthy and bright smile. Gum recession is one of the primary conditions treated within this branch of dentistry. Gum recession (gingival retraction) after tartar cleaning is rare and generally does not occur if the procedure is performed correctly. In fact, tartar cleaning is an important step to maintain gum health and prevent gum problems. However, if tartar cleaning is performed incorrectly or with excessive pressure, it can damage the gums and lead to recession.
It is also normal to experience bleeding after tartar cleaning, but this is usually mild, temporary, and stops on its own. If bleeding is severe or prolonged, it is important to consult a dentist.
What Should Be Done to Prevent Tartar Formation?
The most important thing we can do at home to prevent tartar buildup is to brush our teeth twice a day: once before bed and once after waking up in the morning. Although many think teeth should be brushed after breakfast, brushing immediately upon waking increases saliva production, and the antimicrobials in saliva help digest food more easily.
After brushing, clean the front teeth (the canines and the four teeth in between, a total of six) with dental floss, and use an interdental brush of the size recommended by your dentist for the premolars and molars. This helps prevent cavities and tartar buildup in the interdental spaces. The ideal brushing time is 2–3 minutes. After completing these steps, rinsing with mouthwash will greatly help prevent tartar formation.
How Long Does Tartar Cleaning Take?
The duration of tartar cleaning can vary depending on several factors. The answer to the question “How many minutes does tartar cleaning take?” generally depends on the current condition of the patient’s teeth, gum health, and the amount of tartar buildup. Here are the factors that affect the duration of tartar cleaning:
Amount of Tartar:
The more tartar buildup there is, the longer the cleaning will take. Mild buildup can be removed in a shorter time, while heavy accumulation requires more time.
Condition of the Teeth:
The general health of the teeth also affects the cleaning time. Cleaning healthy teeth is usually quicker. However, if there are gum problems or cavities, additional treatment may be needed, which can extend the duration.
Method Used:
The method chosen for tartar cleaning influences the time required. Professional dentists use specialized cleaning tools and devices for effective results. In some cases, ultrasonic devices or traditional hand instruments may be used.
Personal Factors:
Patient-related factors can also play a role. For example, difficulty staying comfortable during the procedure or certain sensitivities may extend the duration.
In general, a standard tartar cleaning session takes 30 minutes to 1 hour. However, in more complex cases or with heavy tartar accumulation, the process may take longer. For this reason, your dentist will provide you with a more specific duration tailored to your situation.
Remember: Regular dental cleaning appointments are essential to prevent tartar buildup and protect oral health. Your dentist can advise you on how often these cleanings should be performed.
What Should and Should Not Be Done After Tartar Cleaning?
There are certain behaviors to follow and avoid after tartar cleaning. Here are the do’s and don’ts:
What You Should Do:
Brush Your Teeth:
After tartar cleaning, tooth surfaces are cleaner, so it is very important to continue brushing regularly. Do not skip brushing; follow your dentist’s recommended technique and brush after every meal.
Use Dental Floss:
While tartar cleaning removes plaque and buildup between the teeth, flossing is excellent for clearing food debris and plaque in those areas. Using floss regularly protects your dental health. Also, any gaps left between the teeth after tartar removal should be carefully cleaned with floss or an interdental brush.
Use Mouthwash:
Using a mouthwash recommended by your dentist can reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. However, mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing or flossing.
Pay Attention to Water Intake:
Drinking plenty of water balances acid levels in the mouth and increases saliva production, which helps protect your teeth.
What You Should Avoid After Tartar Cleaning:
Do Not Consume Hot or Cold Foods and Drinks Immediately:
Your teeth may be sensitive after tartar cleaning. Therefore, avoid immediate exposure to hot or cold foods and drinks. Wait for a while until your teeth return to normal.
Do Not Use Cigarettes or Tobacco Products:
Smoking and using tobacco products negatively affect oral health and can accelerate tartar buildup. Avoid smoking after tartar cleaning.
Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption:
Excessive alcohol consumption can harm oral health. Refrain from drinking too much alcohol after tartar cleaning.
Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks:
Sugary foods and beverages can cause tooth decay. After tartar cleaning, avoid adding such products to your diet—or brush your teeth afterward if consumed.
Do Not Ignore Problems Not Reported to Your Doctor:
If your dentist identifies any issues during tartar cleaning, do not neglect them and ensure you get the necessary treatments.
After tartar cleaning, it is important to continue monitoring your teeth and gums regularly. Also, follow your dentist’s recommendations to maintain your oral health.
What Are the Differences Between Teeth Whitening and Tartar Cleaning?
Tartar cleaning is often mistaken for a whitening procedure, which raises the common question: “Does tartar cleaning whiten teeth?” Teeth whitening and tartar cleaning are two separate procedures that contribute to oral health in different ways. Teeth whitening aims to improve the aesthetic appearance of the teeth, while tartar cleaning aims to protect dental health. Whitening treatments focus on brightening the color of the teeth and removing stains, whereas tartar cleaning removes hardened tartar deposits from the tooth surfaces. Both are important for oral health, but they differ in their purpose and methods of application.
What Are the Benefits and Risks of Tartar Cleaning?
The benefits of tartar cleaning include keeping your teeth healthy and bright, as well as protecting long-term oral health. Tartar (calculus) forms when plaque—bacteria and food residue—hardens over time due to mineral accumulation, sticking to the tooth surfaces as a hard layer. This hardened layer cannot be removed by brushing or flossing.
Tartar cleaning is essential because tartar buildup can lead to gum inflammation (gingivitis) and tooth decay. Over time, tartar may also cause teeth to look yellowish, creating an aesthetic issue. The procedure is performed professionally by dentists using special tools to clean tooth surfaces and gums. It does not damage tooth enamel, but it effectively removes tartar buildup. After cleaning, oral hygiene becomes easier, and teeth often regain their natural whiteness.
A common question is whether tartar cleaning thins the teeth. Tooth thinning is usually caused by poor oral hygiene, incorrect brushing techniques, teeth grinding (bruxism), or using hard toothbrushes—not by professional tartar cleaning. When performed by a dentist, tartar cleaning does not thin or damage teeth.
Another frequently asked question is whether tartar cleaning is harmful. If performed improperly or too frequently, it may cause damage. Therefore, it should only be done at intervals recommended by your dentist. Maintaining good oral hygiene and attending regular check-ups after tartar cleaning are crucial to protecting your oral health.
How Is Tartar Cleaning Priced?
The price of tartar cleaning depends on several factors, the most important being the experience and expertise of your dentist. A more experienced dentist may charge higher fees. Additionally, the quality of the equipment used and the standards of the clinic can affect pricing. Extra services, such as anesthesia or additional treatments, may also increase the cost.
Ultimately, tartar cleaning prices are determined based on these factors and an individual assessment at your clinic. For this reason, the best way to get an accurate cost estimate is to consult your dentist directly.
Remember: Regular tartar cleaning is an investment in your oral health. It can help prevent serious dental issues in the long run, protect your overall oral hygiene, and minimize future treatment costs.