Which calculus erasers are available?

There are different forms of tartar eraser. The classic tartar eraser is made of stainless steel, which can be sterilized and whose rubber tip can be replaced. This model is quite high quality.

A simpler product is the tartar eraser with a plastic shaft, which is also suitable for domestic use.Some products have the rubber tip at one end of the stainless steel and a tartar scraper at the other end, a so-called combination device. The disadvantage of this is that the tip of the tartar scraper must be sharpened after some applications to ensure its functionality. However, sharpening is not particularly easy and should only be done by an expert hand so as not to “grind” the instrument.

Incorrect sharpening can weaken the tip and make it easier to break. Another disadvantage of stainless steel instruments is that they cannot be sterilized in domestic use, which is why germs and bacteria can be transmitted in this way. For this reason, an instrument should only be used by one user in order to prevent the transmission of pathogens.

Tartar erasers are a fairly inexpensive tool for loosening tooth discoloration and removing light plaque deposits. The cheapest versions of the tartar eraser with a plastic shaft are already available for less than ten euros. High-quality instruments made of stainless steel, which can be sterilized, are available for about fifteen euros. The most expensive products are the combined tartar erasers, which have a tartar scraper at one tip and the rubber attachment at the other end. These stainless steel instruments are available in stores from twenty euros upwards.

What results can be expected?

In general, expectations should not be too high when using a tartar eraser, because the layman has no experience or expertise to perform a thorough cleaning in a targeted manner. Furthermore, massive tartar deposits cannot be removed with an eraser, but must be professionally removed in a dental practice with an ultrasonic device or hand curettes. The tartar eraser is rather for light tartar deposits, which are not too thick and especially for discolorations and edges of tea, coffee and nicotine consumption. If these have not existed for so long, they can be removed satisfactorily with the rubber of the eraser. However, only professional tooth cleaning or the use of Airflow can help in the case of discolorations that have become time-barred.