Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPlaque and Calculus BridgeAppearanceSide EffectsRemoval and PreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Plaque and Calculus Bridge
Appearance
Side Effects
Removal and Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Whenplaqueon your teeth gets out of control, it hardens, forming tartar, also known ascalculus. A calculus bridge is when this buildup coats multiple teeth and starts to fill in gaps. If untreated, this can lead to serious dental issues, includinggum diseaseandtooth decay.
This article provides an overview of calculus bridges, including their causes, their impact on oral health, and their treatment and prevention.
Pollyana Ventura
How Plaque Can Cause a Calculus Bridge
Plaque is a bacteria-rich film that forms on the teeth, along the gumline and on such surfaces asfillingsanddental crowns. This colorless or pale-yellow substance forms naturally throughout the day as bacteria digest carbohydrates and sugars from the foods and drinks you consume.
If plaque isn’t cleaned off of your teeth, it hardens to form calculus. Calculus is composed of calcium, bacteria, and other organic matter in the mouth.
While proper brushing and flossing can remove plaque, tartar can only be removed with dental cleanings and procedures. Poor dental hygiene, especially incorrect brushing or flossing, is the primary driver of tartar formation.
What Does a Calculus Bridge Look Like?
Unlike plaque, a calculus buildup is visible and can vary in color depending on where it’s located relative to the gumline. Calculus is a denser, claylike substance, typically yellow above the gumline and dark brown, green, or black below the gumline.
A calculus bridge forms when calculus coats multiple teeth in a row and starts to fill in the gaps between them. Individual cases vary but a calculus bridge tends to start as a dark discoloration on the teeth along the gumline before spreading.
Side Effects of a Calculus Bridge
Calculus in the mouth has a distinct and severe impact on tooth and gum health. Especially if untreated, calculus bridges lead to various dental conditions, including the following.
Halitosis
Gum Disease
The most common side effect of calculus buildup is gum disease, a bacterial infection of the gums. Early-stage gum disease is calledgingivitis. It’s primarily an inflammation of the tissues that causes bleeding, red, or swollen gums.You can reverse early-stage gum disease with proper dental care and cleaning.
In periodontitis, the more advanced stages of periodontal disease, pockets form between the teeth and the gums, which can become infected. If untreated, this can lead to loosened or lost teeth and deterioration of tissue and the jawbone.
A Common ProblemGum disease is prevalent, with 47.2% of American adults over age 30 experiencing periodontal disease.According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s one of the leading causes of tooth loss in the United States.
A Common Problem
Gum disease is prevalent, with 47.2% of American adults over age 30 experiencing periodontal disease.According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s one of the leading causes of tooth loss in the United States.
Receding Gums
When calculus bridges lead to periodontal disease, a common complication isreceding gums. The progression of the bacterial infection destroys connective tissue, leading to bone loss and exposing the roots of teeth.Receding gums form gaps between teeth and gums that can become sites for plaque and calculus buildup.
Tooth Decay
Calculus Bridge Removal and Prevention
Once a calculus bridge has formed, only a dental health professional can remove it. However, there’s a lot you can do to stop plaque from becoming a problem. Here’s an overview of treatment and prevention options for calculus bridges.
Calculus Bridge Removal
Dentists or dental hygienists use special tools and procedures to scrape calculus from the teeth and prevent further buildup. There are several standard treatments, including:
Since removing calculus is more involved than regular cleaning and can include work below the gumline, it may cause soreness or discomfort.
How to Prevent a Calculus Bridge
Maintaining good oral health prevents plaque from turning into calculus, which involves:
Summary
A calculus bridge is an overgrowth of dental calculus, or tartar, across multiple teeth. Plaque in the mouth, if not removed, can form into a thicker, darker substance on the teeth and along the gumline. Excessive calculus in the mouth causes gum disease, tooth decay, chronic bad breath, or halitosis.
Dental procedures, such as scaling and root planing, can remove the calculus. Along with regular checkups, good oral hygiene prevents calculus bridges from forming.
A Word From Verywell
Not only can a calculus bridge be unsightly and make you self-conscious, but it can also significantly impact the health of your teeth. Maintaining brushing, flossing, and other positive oral hygiene habits is essential. If you’re seeing buildups of tartar in your mouth, call your dental provider. The sooner you take care of your dental problem, the healthier you’ll be.
Learn MoreTeeth Cleaning: What to Expect
If left untreated, calculus can have a severe impact on the health of your teeth. Tartar can lead to tooth decay, which causes cavities and tooth loss. It’s also a leading cause of gum disease, which, in its advanced form, can further affect tooth stability and health.Learn MoreHow to Prevent Calcium Buildup on Teeth
If left untreated, calculus can have a severe impact on the health of your teeth. Tartar can lead to tooth decay, which causes cavities and tooth loss. It’s also a leading cause of gum disease, which, in its advanced form, can further affect tooth stability and health.
Learn MoreHow to Prevent Calcium Buildup on Teeth
The scaling to scrape off calculus in a routine cleaning usually is not painful and a numbing agent typically isn’t needed. However, sometimes local anesthetic is used if there’s a buildup around the gumline. You can expect to feel tenderness and discomfort after the procedure.Over-the-counter pain medications typically resolve the problem.Learn MoreWhat Is Dental Prophylaxis?
The scaling to scrape off calculus in a routine cleaning usually is not painful and a numbing agent typically isn’t needed. However, sometimes local anesthetic is used if there’s a buildup around the gumline. You can expect to feel tenderness and discomfort after the procedure.Over-the-counter pain medications typically resolve the problem.
Learn MoreWhat Is Dental Prophylaxis?
Learn MorePlaque vs. Tartar: What Are the Differences?
The only way to get rid of calculus is to have it professionally removed. Flossing, thorough brushing, and using mouthwash or other products won’t work. Never try to use dental tools on your teeth, as you’ll likely do more harm than good. You can easily damage gums, the enamel of your teeth, and other structures. There’s also a higher risk of infection.Learn MoreGuide to Brushing Teeth the Right Way
The only way to get rid of calculus is to have it professionally removed. Flossing, thorough brushing, and using mouthwash or other products won’t work. Never try to use dental tools on your teeth, as you’ll likely do more harm than good. You can easily damage gums, the enamel of your teeth, and other structures. There’s also a higher risk of infection.
Learn MoreGuide to Brushing Teeth the Right Way
Dental calculus can have a distinct odor from the combination of bacteria, mineral material from your teeth, and other compounds in your mouth. Halitosis, a chronic form of bad breath that doesn’t resolve with brushing or mints, is a typical result of excess calculus.Getting rid of this substance and treating issues like gum disease can treat this condition.Learn MoreWhat Is Plaque? A Complete Guide to the Weird Film on Your Teeth
Dental calculus can have a distinct odor from the combination of bacteria, mineral material from your teeth, and other compounds in your mouth. Halitosis, a chronic form of bad breath that doesn’t resolve with brushing or mints, is a typical result of excess calculus.Getting rid of this substance and treating issues like gum disease can treat this condition.
Learn MoreWhat Is Plaque? A Complete Guide to the Weird Film on Your Teeth
The cost depends on the extent of removal required and your dental plan. Without insurance, routine cleaning and polishing costs range from $75 to $200.If calculus is considerable or spread beneath the gumline, additional procedures, such as deep cleaning, can add to that total.Learn MoreWhat Is a Cavity?
The cost depends on the extent of removal required and your dental plan. Without insurance, routine cleaning and polishing costs range from $75 to $200.If calculus is considerable or spread beneath the gumline, additional procedures, such as deep cleaning, can add to that total.
Learn MoreWhat Is a Cavity?
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dentaly.Teeth cleaning: guide to professional tartar removal at the dentist.Balaji VR, Niazi TM, Dhanasekaran M.An unusual presentation of dental calculus.J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2019;23(5):484-486. doi:10.4103/jisp.jisp_680_18Johns Hopkins Medicine.Halitosis (bad breath).American Dental Association.Gum disease. Mouthhealthy.Jati AS, Furquim LZ, Consolaro A.Gingival recession: its causes and types, and the importance of orthodontic treatment.Dental Press J Orthod. 2016;21(3):18-29. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.21.3.018-029.oinValm AM.The structure of dental plaque microbial communities in the transition from health to dental caries and periodontal disease.J Mol Biol. 2019;431(16):2957-2969. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2019.05.016National Institute on Aging.Taking care of your teeth and mouth.Additional ReadingNapitu A, Evanson A.Teeth cleaning guide: tartar removal, and dental costs. Dentaly.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dentaly.Teeth cleaning: guide to professional tartar removal at the dentist.Balaji VR, Niazi TM, Dhanasekaran M.An unusual presentation of dental calculus.J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2019;23(5):484-486. doi:10.4103/jisp.jisp_680_18Johns Hopkins Medicine.Halitosis (bad breath).American Dental Association.Gum disease. Mouthhealthy.Jati AS, Furquim LZ, Consolaro A.Gingival recession: its causes and types, and the importance of orthodontic treatment.Dental Press J Orthod. 2016;21(3):18-29. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.21.3.018-029.oinValm AM.The structure of dental plaque microbial communities in the transition from health to dental caries and periodontal disease.J Mol Biol. 2019;431(16):2957-2969. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2019.05.016National Institute on Aging.Taking care of your teeth and mouth.Additional ReadingNapitu A, Evanson A.Teeth cleaning guide: tartar removal, and dental costs. Dentaly.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Dentaly.Teeth cleaning: guide to professional tartar removal at the dentist.Balaji VR, Niazi TM, Dhanasekaran M.An unusual presentation of dental calculus.J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2019;23(5):484-486. doi:10.4103/jisp.jisp_680_18Johns Hopkins Medicine.Halitosis (bad breath).American Dental Association.Gum disease. Mouthhealthy.Jati AS, Furquim LZ, Consolaro A.Gingival recession: its causes and types, and the importance of orthodontic treatment.Dental Press J Orthod. 2016;21(3):18-29. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.21.3.018-029.oinValm AM.The structure of dental plaque microbial communities in the transition from health to dental caries and periodontal disease.J Mol Biol. 2019;431(16):2957-2969. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2019.05.016National Institute on Aging.Taking care of your teeth and mouth.
Dentaly.Teeth cleaning: guide to professional tartar removal at the dentist.
Balaji VR, Niazi TM, Dhanasekaran M.An unusual presentation of dental calculus.J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2019;23(5):484-486. doi:10.4103/jisp.jisp_680_18
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Halitosis (bad breath).
American Dental Association.Gum disease. Mouthhealthy.
Jati AS, Furquim LZ, Consolaro A.Gingival recession: its causes and types, and the importance of orthodontic treatment.Dental Press J Orthod. 2016;21(3):18-29. doi:10.1590/2177-6709.21.3.018-029.oin
Valm AM.The structure of dental plaque microbial communities in the transition from health to dental caries and periodontal disease.J Mol Biol. 2019;431(16):2957-2969. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2019.05.016
National Institute on Aging.Taking care of your teeth and mouth.
Napitu A, Evanson A.Teeth cleaning guide: tartar removal, and dental costs. Dentaly.
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