Can you scrape tartar off your teeth?

The unfolding of a beautiful smile starts with healthy, white and sparkly teeth. But, in the fast-paced contemporary times where even self-care has become a luxury, we tend to ignore our dental hygiene because of time constraints. But, prolonged dental ignorance can be disastrous as a lot of teeth and gum diseases are generally a result of poor hygiene habits. One of the commonest dental issues is tartar buildup. Tartar refers to the mineral deposits found on teeth and below the gum line. A variety of at-home methods are used to remove tartar, but not all of them are safe. At times, DIY techniques can do more harm than good. Hence, it is very important to be mindful. A rather popularly prescribed DIY technique is to scrape off tartar at home. Let us analyze this recommendation and get to its roots.

Scraping off tartar – is it safe?

Dentists and dental hygienists use a method called scaling or scraping to professionally remove hardened tartar. Commercial dental scrapers are also available in the market to scrape off tartar and plaque at home. But, such tools may be risky as it is very difficult to scrape something off the teeth by looking in the mirror. Furthermore, in case you don’t have a plaque scraper, never ever opt for sharp or semi-sharp household objects to scrape off tarter as the susceptibility to gum and mouth injuries is extremely high. Thus, it can be asserted that scraping tartar at home is not safe.

Dangers of DIY tartar scraping

There are numerous dangers of scraping tartar at home. Even with a plaque scraper, the risks remain high. Mentioned below are some reasons to convince you to avoid scraping tartar yourself.

• Scaling the teeth at home can scratch the tooth enamel and cause sensitivity.
• DIY tartar scraping can damage the delicate gum tissue and may lead to gum recession.
• You can also injure your cheeks, tongue and mouth while using a scraper.
• Scraping off tartar at home can lead to gum infections. At times, you may end up pushing the tartar under the gum line, which can cause gum abscesses and other related problems.

Safe ways to remove tartar

Tartar buildup is a clear indication of bad oral care. But, there are safer ways to remove tartar than scraping. Let us look at some of them.

• Dental flossing is one of the most effective ways to remove food particles and tartar.
• Brushing teeth twice a day with a fluoride-rich toothpaste tube is imperative.
• An antibacterial mouthwash is another way to remove tartar at home.
• You can also use an electric toothbrush for ideal cleaning and removing notorious plaque from your mouth.

Thus, the conclusion is that that you should not scrape off tartar at home. It is dangerous and can cause problems worse than tartar buildup. Going to the dentist is the best option if you want to get scraping or scaling done.

PFA – In case of discomfort related to teeth or gums, please visit your nearest dentist at the earliest.

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