Plaque/Tartar Removal

[maltese]

Hi guys,

Yesterday, I went to the dentist for a regular visit, quite calm and confident that there will be no problems as there was no drilling planned.

However, my dentist told me that plaque/tartar removal is long overdue and we have to do it.

I couldn't do it. She used that ultrasonic tartar removal thingy, and it was just too high-pitched and loud. Ear muffs or no earmuffs, it was all bone conduction. She got nothing done as the sound would bother me. Also I panicked a bit.

She said I should come back in 6 months and try again.

1) Is it really bad to have tartar on my teeth? She didn't say anything.

2) How do you do that guys do that? Should I ask for some other method of removal? Is there one? Should I just man up try to do ultra-sound cleaning anyway?

 

[Zenyatta]

Hmm... as far as I know, hand-removing tartar is a thing. Have you asked about that?

 

[glynis]

Buy the little tiny dentist brushes to clean around and inbetween your teeth and that should be fine...love glynis

 

[Bill Bauer]

The only way to prevent gingivitis (= gum disease = eventual tooth loss & dentures) is to have these dental cleanings once ever 3-4.5 months. It should be easy to find a dental office where they will agree to clean your teeth manually.

 

[maltese]

Hmm... as far as I know, hand-removing tartar is a thing. Have you asked about that?

I didn't know that was a thing, and she didn't inform me. I'll ask.

My dentist visits used to be a very pleasant experience. I didn't even know what they were doing exactly, it was like "make my teeth beautiful while I sit and relax doctor".


@Bill Bauer that's useful, thanks!

 

[Michael Leigh]

1) Is it really bad to have tartar on my teeth? She didn't say anything.
2) How do you do that guys do that? Should I ask for some other method of removal? Is there one? Should I just man up try to do ultra-sound cleaning anyway?

Hi @maltese

I used to have tarta and plaque problems but no more. My dentist told me about the Waterpik three years ago. It is like jet-washer for the gums and teeth. Far superior to flossing. Will remove tarta and plaque. Please be advised the product is noisy but I have no problems with it. Putting a towel over the device will reduce noise significantly but I don't need to. The Kitty -Hydro- flosser is also good. Please click on the links below and see them on YouTube for demonstrations.

Michael
https://www.amazon.co.uk/KITTY-HYDRO-FLOSS-SYSTEM-FLOSSER/dp/B0012GTR8C
https://www.waterpik.co.uk/

 

[Rosemerry]

I've been told that some of us produce more plaque than others. I unfortunately produce more, it's just how I'm wired. You do have to take care of it, because I didn't and it resulted in having 3 teeth extracted (back molars so not too bad), and had to have an implant. So as a result, I get my teeth cleaned every 3 months instead of 6 like most humans. I also floss like a maniac, after every meal. I don't have a waterpik like Michael, but recently the dentist gave me a cool toothbrush with a broader head that seems to hit more space. I also brush twice a day for 2 minutes - which is kinda long. As a result, they just manually clean my teeth every 3 months and it keeps the plaque at bay.

 

[Tinker Bell]

I also brush twice a day for 2 minutes - which is kinda long.

I am similar with plaque, some of it is simply annoying genetics.

Two minutes twice a day is the recommended guideline. I use an electric toothbrush (some are quieter than others) and it automatically shuts off after two minutes. Some even beep every 30 seconds so you know when to move on to the next quadrant of your mouth.

 

[Candy]

Have it done manually, it will take 2 sessions but it can be easily done. This is how I'll get mine done.

 

[Sam Bridge]

Yes its bad to have plaque as it can lead to periodontal disease and you do not want that. My last cleaning was in January and my next session is actually next Thursday. I do have mild gingivitis so i want to keep it in check, i am flossing alot more these days so maybe I won't have to go more than twice a year soon. I haven't had any problems when shes used the scaler device( I don't have H though). I find it quite a nice experience knowing that the gunk is being cleaned out.

@Rosemerry 2 minutes twice a day is how long you should be cleaning your teeth anyway, it's certainly not longer than reccomended!

 

[Tweaker]

Should I ask for some other method of removal?

Yes I started to struggle with this also. The pitch is so high that it really hurts my left ear. Now I ask for manual cleaning with instruments. This is the way dentists used to always do it. Ultrasonic descaling is not essential. Good old fashioned scraping.

 

[maltese]

Thank you for your input everyone!

I'll ask for manual cleaning then

 

[Ron Robles]

Has anybody found any natural thing to remove plaque from the teeth

 

[jer]

Dentists are not the smartest people when dealing with patients who have tinnitus. I have had some major problems after they used the ultrasonic cleaner on me. There is another way that will not damage your hearing in any way. That is just a simple manual cleaning by a dental hygienist (not a dentist). It will take a bit longer, but dentists and dental hygienists are usually a bit lazy and don't want to do it. This is because it takes longer and is much harder to do.

Just tell them that you want a manual cleaning. if they say they can't do it, or just refuse to do it, find another hygienist that will. Usually the older they are, the more okay they are with it.