Tartar scrapers (scalers) are instruments used for the independent removal of tartar. They are made of metal and consist of a handle and a sharp, pointed working shaft. With this shaft you can scrape along the tooth and remove the tartar.
Such similar instruments are also used in professional tooth cleaning and are extremely effective. However, care should be taken when using them, as the sharp edges can quickly damage the gums or enamel. A correct technique is therefore an important part of removing tartar.
How to apply the tartar scraper correctly?
Since the incorrect use of the tartar scraper can quickly damage teeth and gums, it is important to learn how to perform it correctly. At best, the techniques learned should be demonstrated to the dentist, who will then evaluate them and give further advice if necessary. The first important point is the direction of movement.
The movement should always be carried out from areas close to the gums towards the crown. This prevents injury to the gums. It is also important to make sure that you do not place the scraper under the gum line.
Another point is the sharp tip. This should not be used to remove plaque, as the risk of damaging the enamel is high. Instead, the sharp-edged surface is used.
This should have an angle of 70-80° to the tooth surface. Sharper angles should be avoided, as otherwise the enamel may be damaged. Since the scratches are very sharp instruments and can often slip off with untrained persons, injuries to the gums are not rare.
This then inevitably leads to bleeding and, if a little more force is applied, parts of the gum papillae can be separated, which subsequently represent an aesthetic problem. In addition, incorrect use can damage the tooth enamel, which then cannot heal. People who suffer from a weakened immune system or heart disease should urgently refrain from using tartar scrapers, as the resulting bleeding allows bacteria from the oral cavity to enter the bloodstream, causing endocarditis, for example, which is a serious medical situation.
Enamel is the hardest material in our body and therefore very robust. Nevertheless, the metallic tip of the tartar scratch can damage the enamel. Since enamel, unlike bone, cannot regenerate, the damage caused remains.
With frequent use of the scraper, the upper layer of enamel is systematically eroded away and the tooth loses more and more of its protective coating each time. If you scratch notches in the enamel, bacteria can use these niches and eventually cause caries. So if you damage the enamel, you should see a dentist, who can then smooth the area out again.
