Tartar removal and soda cleaning

Tartar is hardened bacterial plaque that has accumulated on the surface of the teeth. Tartar often forms on the surface of the teeth as a result of poor oral hygiene, which is why it most commonly builds up in areas that are difficult to clean: between the teeth. Plaque can be removed with a toothbrush, but tartar, as its name suggests, is a hard substance and must be removed at a dentist’s or dental hygienist’s office.

Removing tartar is a fairly mechanical and routine procedure, which means that while it’s being done, we’re thinking about grocery shopping and doing laundry. So a dental hygienist or dentist won’t judge you for poor oral hygiene, and there’s no need to be embarrassed about tartar buildup.

During a dental scaling, you can also have your teeth cleaned with baking soda, which removes stains caused by coffee, tea, and tobacco, for example. Your teeth will be clean and shiny, and it will be easier to smile!

Book an appointment for tartar removal today—it's easiest to do online. See you in Ruoholahti, Kalasatama, or Tikkurila!

In gingivitis, plaque often accumulates between the teeth and gums, causing inflammation in the area. If the same area is often brushed less thoroughly, gingivitis will develop in that area. Signs of gingivitis include bleeding when brushing or cleaning between teeth. The best way to treat gingivitis is to brush your teeth and clean between them regularly and thoroughly. Even if there is a little bleeding when brushing, there is no need to worry. With gingivitis, the gums are often dark red and may also be swollen. It can also cause bad breath. Healthy gums are a beautiful light pink color and fit tightly around the teeth.

A gum pocket is the part of the gum at the root of the tooth that is not attached to the tooth. The dentist checks the gum pockets during an examination using a blunt, round-tipped gum pocket gauge. Healthy gums are firmly attached to the teeth and the gum pocket is less than 4 mm deep. When plaque remains around the gums for a long time, gingivitis develops. In this case, the gums practically open up as bacteria destroy the ligaments that attach the gums to the teeth. As the inflammation progresses, the gum pocket around the tooth also deepens. We refer to deepened gum pockets when the gum pocket is more than 4 mm deep. Deep gum pockets and advanced periodontitis can also cause bone loss, tooth mobility, or tooth loss.

In practice, gum pockets are measured to assess how healthy the gums are and whether the patient is at risk of developing periodontitis. The earlier the situation is addressed, the better the prognosis for recovery.

For most people, tartar removal 1-2 times a year is sufficient. If you have a lot of tartar buildup or gum disease, you may need more frequent treatment. The appropriate treatment interval is assessed individually at the dental hygienist or dentist's office. Other treatments, such as implant treatments or orthodontic treatment, may also require more frequent visits to the dental hygienist.

The most effective way to clean tartar is with an ultrasonic device, which removes tartar through vibration. The sound coming from the device is often worse than it feels. Tartar is also removed with hand instruments to ensure that all tartar is removed.

If your gums are inflamed or your teeth are sensitive, the procedure may feel uncomfortable, but the pain is usually minor and temporary. Deepened gum pockets can also cause discomfort.

If you experience significant pain, you should ask your dentist or dental hygienist for a numbing gel before continuing with the procedure. Your teeth can also be numbed for the duration of the procedure. Treatment will also be paused according to how you feel. Open communication with the treatment staff is essential in this procedure as well.

In cases of more severe gingivitis or periodontitis, treatment may need to be carried out under local anesthesia. In such cases, treatment is often carried out either at the dentist's or periodontist's office. A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the treatment of gum disease.

Soda cleaning is a method of cleaning the surfaces of teeth using fine powder and water. It effectively removes stains caused by coffee, tea, and tobacco, for example. Soda cleaning does not remove tartar, but it is a complementary measure to tartar removal, particularly for removing stains.

Often, yes. Baking soda cleaning after tartar removal brightens the surface of the teeth and makes the end result more even. If there is not a particularly large amount of tartar, both treatments can be performed during the same visit. In some cases, it is advisable to perform soda cleaning before tartar removal. Our skilled dental hygienists will recommend the appropriate order based on the condition of your mouth.

When done correctly, soda cleaning is safe. It targets the surface of the teeth and does not damage the enamel or intact areas. A dentist or dental hygienist will always assess whether the treatment is right for you. There are also differences between the baking soda powders used; some substances can even be used under the gums, while others are suitable for the enamel part of the tooth. Teeth whitening is not recommended every year, as long-term use of the substance can weaken the tooth enamel. Soda cleaning, on the other hand, can be done every year or a couple of times a year if necessary.

Tartar and stains prevent the whitening agent from working evenly. If whitening is performed before tartar removal, the result may be uneven and highlight uncleaned areas. Therefore, it is recommended that tartar be removed within three months prior to whitening. If you have gum disease, your gums should also heal before whitening. Our professionals will tell you the appropriate waiting period and also give you instructions on how to prepare for whitening.

Yes. Tartar removal can be performed by both dental hygienists and dentists. If no suitable dental hygienist appointments are available, treatment by a dentist is often a quick and similarly priced option. The treatment is speeded up by the fact that the dentist has a dental assistant to assist with the procedure.

Starting May 1, 2025, dental hygienist treatment will be covered by Kela twice a year without a referral from a dentist. People with gingivitis or periodontitis may need treatment more often, in which case a referral from a dentist may be necessary.

After tartar removal, your teeth may feel smoother than usual and sometimes slightly sensitive to cold. Good brushing and fluoride toothpaste often help with this. Your gums may be sensitive for a while, but these sensations usually disappear within a few days. The symptoms are often caused by tartar buildup around the teeth, and when this is removed, the gums are loose and not as tightly attached to the teeth. This allows cold to affect the tooth more easily. The gums will reattach to the tooth as they heal and there is no tartar to prevent this.

Yes. Tartar and bacterial plaque are common causes of bad breath. Regular cleaning improves oral hygiene and significantly freshens breath.

Tartar buildup varies from person to person; some people are more prone to it than others. Tartar buildup can be prevented with good oral hygiene: brush your teeth twice a day using the correct technique, and be sure to clean between your teeth as well. There are various options for cleaning between your teeth: you can use traditional dental floss, interdental brushes, or interdental picks. Chewing xylitol gum or taking xylitol lozenges after meals also rinses the mouth and helps prevent tartar buildup. The best method is often found through trial and error, and you can ask your dental hygienist or dentist for recommendations. Despite home care, it’s important to have any tartar buildup removed regularly by a dental professional.

Dental calculus may seem completely harmless in the mouth, and you may not even notice it building up yourself. Dental calculus has a rough, porous texture, which provides a good breeding ground for various types of bacteria. Bacteria that accumulate on tartar can cause gingivitis, which in turn can progress to periodontitis—a disease of the tissues that hold the teeth in place. Periodontitis destroys not only the tissues holding the teeth in place but also the jawbone; thus, at its worst, tartar can cause serious health problems. Gingivitis itself is not entirely harmless, as inflamed gums bleed when brushing teeth and cleaning between them. Gingivitis can also cause pain in the mouth. Dental calculus can also cause bad breath.

Tartar is removed either with an ultrasonic device or mechanically using hand instruments. If the gums are severely inflamed and there is a lot of tartar, mechanical cleaning in particular may feel a bit uncomfortable: if necessary, the gums can be numbed. However, the vibrations of the ultrasonic device and the water spray used at the same time do not feel uncomfortable. Often, the dental hygienist uses both methods as needed during the same visit.