CALCULUS TEETH PROFESSIONAL

The longer the inflammation continues, the more destruction it causes, including deterioration of the actual bone around the teeth. Periodontitis is the result of chronic inflammation of the gum around the teeth. Instead, it is the body’s natural reaction to prolonged bacterial build-up on the tooth surface. It is important to understand that periodontitis is not an infection of the gums. This is what dental calculus looks like on a tooth root. When the gums become so inflamed for a long period of time and begin forming pockets, it turns into a form of gum disease called “periodontitis.” Then the newly formed pocket becomes filled with plaque, which forms into calculus, and the process continues until it has extended deep under the gum tissue. If left untreated, this inflammation causes the gum tissue to weaken and pull away from the tooth itself, causing a pocket to form. When gingivitis develops as a result, it is the body’s way of letting us know something is not right. The presence of dental calculus is an indication that bacterial plaque has been accumulating in the same position for several days or weeks. What exactly makes dental calculus so dangerous?

CALCULUS TEETH PROFESSIONAL

This process is referred to as gingivitis and is usually reversible with a thorough professional dental cleaning. Gum tissue can begin to swell, become tender and red, and often bleeds easily.

The longer this process continues, the more advanced the inflammation becomes. The longer the calculus remains, the more species of bacteria live on it, and some can be so irritating to the gum tissue that they begin to become inflamed. The hardened surface quickly becomes coated with more biofilm and plaque, and begins to enlarge. When the plaque is not effectively removed with daily brushing and flossing, it begins to harden and cling tighter onto the tooth. Within the plaque, colonies of bacteria form a sticky biofilm, that absorbs nutrients and minerals from the food you eat as well as from your saliva. Getting your teeth cleaned regularly helps keep this 'calculus' under control and protects your gums and bone from damage.Dental calculus is a result of accumulated bacterial plaque.īacterial plaque forms on all surfaces of a tooth that is exposed to saliva, but it can easily be removed with brushing and flossing. Saliva can be rich in minerals which help protect your teeth from the acids of our diets, but it also helps build up calculus if any plaque is present on the teeth. This is because this area gets a 'flood' of saliva from the duct which is under the tongue. All these photos are of lower front teeth. The most common place to see calculus in the mouth is behind the lower anterior teeth. The bacteria and roughness causes inflammation of the gums and bone loss. While you can remove plaque from your teeth with a tooth brush, calculus needs to be removed by the dental team with specialised instruments.Ĭalculus is unhealthy to leave on your teeth - although most people are fairly unaware of its presence at all! Calculus traps bacteria and is a roughened surface on the tooth making it hard for you to remove plaque. 'Calculus is the mathematical study of Change.' (Wikipedia)īut when we talk about calculus in the dental clinic we are talking about a hardened layer of dental plaque.

Calculus teeth