Plaque. A soft, sticky substance made up of bacteria, will harden into 'tartar' (also known as calculus) if not properly removed from the teeth. The bacteria feed on sugars from food and drink, producing acids which attack the teeth causing both tooth decay and gum disease.
Tartar needs to be removed by your Dentist or Hygienist using either hand or electric instruments. This is called scaling.
Polishing, typically done after scaling, involves the removal of surface stains (tea/coffer/red wine/smoking) using a rotating brush or rubber cup with special toothpaste. Stubborn stains may need Air-Flow treatments.
Regular scaling and polishing will help to keep your teeth and gums healthy and make it easier to keep your teeth clean at home. You should feel and see the difference immediately!
An uncontrolled build-up of plaque and tartar, will lead to tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath, and can endanger the teeth in the longer term. The first signs of gum disease are bleeding gums during brushing.
