How can you remove tartar yourself?

Introduction

In general, tartar cannot be removed on its own. In the mineralized, hard condition of tartar, it is almost impossible for the patient to reduce this plaque on his own. The patient only has the possibility to remove the soft plaque by adequate dental care in order to avoid the later formation of tartar. Tartar can only be removed effectively and gently in the dental surgery.

What are the possibilities?

If the plaque is still soft and has not yet mineralized to tartar, it can be easily removed with a toothbrush and between the teeth with dental floss or interdental brushes. Electric toothbrushes with ultrasonic function, which clean plaque more effectively through high vibrations, offer a higher cleaning ability. There is no other possibility for the patient to act independently, as there is too high a risk of damaging the teeth and not removing the tartar thoroughly enough.

Furthermore, the affected person does not have sterile instruments and the expertise to detect tartar at all and to reduce it completely. Home remedies such as tea tree oil or baking powder are not an option as they damage the teeth. Also popular is a homeopathic preparation made from grapefruit seeds, which is acid-free and is supposed to prevent the formation of tartar through a tincture as an oral treatment.

A few drops of this tincture are put into water and gargled for a few seconds. The teeth are not damaged in any way, which is a positive result. However, if tartar has already formed, it must be removed professionally in a dental practice. A professional dental cleaning is carried out.

How dangerous is it to remove tartar yourself?

If the patient tries to remove the tartar on his own, there is a high risk of injury. If a pointed instrument is used for removal, there is a risk of slipping and injuring tissue due to improper use and handling. The gums, the periodontium and the tongue are often at risk and often severely injured by amateur use, so that the wounds created beforehand have to be closed surgically.

Furthermore, non-sterile work can quickly lead to infection, which can lead to more serious complications. A contaminated wound can cause tetanus, or tetanus cramps, which is a life-threatening disease. If the vaccination is not up to date, i.e. the last vaccination was more than 5 years ago, vaccination should be given within 48 hours of the wound to prevent tetanus.

If the tartar is only partially and not completely removed, the bacteria in the biofilm can enter the bloodstream and damage organs. The bacteria make their way through the bloodstream to the heart and can inflame the heart muscle and the cardiac membranes (endocarditis), causing irreversible damage to the heart as the heart muscle cells cannot regenerate. As a result, the heart may become insufficient and no longer be able to function properly.

Consequently, there may also be an increased risk of a heart attack. Furthermore, due to the lack of polish after the independent tartar removal, there is a risk that a predilection site for bacteria is formed, as it is rough. The bacteria can adhere better to the rough area and can form caries more easily in this area.