This is our exclusive guide on calculus bridge, so keep reading please!!!
Do you brush your teeth regularly after eating? If you don’t do this, a thin sticky film might starts coating your teeth gradually. That is called plaque. And, if that plaque is not removed by regular cleaning and brushing of teeth over time, it can harden into another substance tartar, which is also called calculus.
Furthermore, if you still don’t take care of your teeth after plaque and tarter then the situation will become worse. The sticky substance will then coat your multiple teeth and form a harmful calculus bridge. In that case, you will have to visit a dentist’s clinic to get this calculus removed from your teeth. It is essential to prevent the health of your gums and teeth from the harmful effects of this problem.
What calculus bridge Is?
Calculus Bridge is primarily defined as a layer of mineralized dead bacteria with a small number of minerals containing salivary proteins in it. Moreover, it is chemically composed of three primary substances
- calcium phosphate
- calcium carbonate
- magnesium phosphate.
It is a hard bone-like substance that firmly gets attached to the person’s teeth. Moreover, it is called supragingival calculus above the gingival margin. This type of calculus is present in such patients who fail to remove plaque from their teeth and its major symptom is the yellow or tan appearance of teeth.
Chemical Composition of Calculus Bridge
Calculus Bridge is composed of both organic extracellular and inorganic mineral components.
- Inorganic Composition
Depending upon the location of its presence, the overall mineral composition of it somehow ranges from almost 40-60%. In this ratio, there are mainly the crystals of calcium phosphate which are further divided into 4 principal mineral phases. Those phases are listed below in the precise order of descending ratio moving from phosphate to calcium concentration
- Hydroxyapatite Ca5(PO4)3OH
- Whitlockite Ca9(Mg,Fe)(PO4)6(PO3OH)
- Octa calcium Phosphate Ca8H2(PO4)6.5H2O
- Brushite CaHPO4.2H2O
- Organic Composition
On the other hand, the organic content of Calculus Bridge is roughly 85% cellular and the remaining 15% of the extracellular matrix.
The cellular density present within the Calculus and Dental plaque extremely. According to a rough estimation, it may be even much more than 200,000,000 cells present per milligram. However, most of the cells located in the Calculus Bridge are primarily bacteria. Besides them, some of them can also include a few species of Archaea or Yeast.
While the organic extracellular matrix of calculus mainly consists of three major things
- Proteins
- Lipids including the triglycerides, fatty acids, phospholipids, and glycolipids
- Extracellular DNA
- Other Elements
Besides the basic organic and inorganic components, some other elements also exist in nature that somehow take part in the formation of the Calculus Bridge. Some of those trace elements include
- amount of hosts
- Dietary things
- environmental micro debris
- salivary proteins
- plant DNA
- milk proteins
- starch granules
- textile fibers
- smoke particles and many more
Where is Calculus Bridge found?
Calculus is mostly found on lower anterior teeth and sometimes on the upper molars. Both these sites of the mouth are the predominant areas because the salivary gland ducts are present here just next to these teeth surfaces.
Moreover, a calculus bridge is an extensive medium of calculus or tartar that extends to surfaces of several tooth surfaces and the spaces in between the teeth.
The amount of tartar buildup on teeth differs from person to person. In general, it makes a border of brown or tan along the edge of the teeth by your gumline but in severe cases, Furthermore, it may also reach down into the gumline or up along the surface of the teeth.
What happens to it over time?
It becomes darker in color and increases in size with the age. Mostly calculus bridge is associated with two significant things
- gingival recession
- periodontal disease.
Therefore, several mobile teeth may get disclosed by the removal of this bridge. Therefore, doctors should inform this possibility before proceeding with further procedures of debridement.
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How plaque can become a calculus bridge?
Teeth can be covered by plaque very easily. When we eat or drink something the bacteria present in our mouth mix with the residue, and then release some acids that cause the breakdown of carbohydrates in our drinks and food.
Due to this your mouth has a combination of carbohydrates, acids, bacterias, and minerals that forms a colorless sticky layer over your teeth which we call plaque. Removing this layer of germs is extremely difficult without brushing and flossing. Therefore, this type of plaque is also called dental calculus.
New research says that it takes only 1 to 14 days for the formation of plaque. They also declared it dangerous because the tartar doesn’t just stay on teeth. Rather it also starts spreading down into your gum line. The result is stained brown teeth with a lot of pain. Besides all, calculus bridge can also affect the tissues under the gum line and can cause gum diseases and tooth decay.
Impact of Calculus Bridge on gums
If teeth are not regularly clean the bacteria present in tartar can affect the gums and gradually the jawline bones too. Its first sign is bleeding gums which is also called gingivitis. If that gingival inflammation is left untreated it may later lead to periodontitis which can cause a severe infection of the structures like the gums are mainly supporting the teeth. The gums are an integral part of a securing system of teeth. That is why when the gums are weakened teeth may fall out.
Significant Symptoms of Calculus Bridge
Some of the primary symptoms of Calculus Bridge and gum diseases are given below for your information:
- Red and swollen gums
- Bleeding when brushing
- Receding gums
- Continuous bad breath
- Loose teeth and many more
Side Effects of Calculus Bridge
Besides giving a bad appearance to your teeth Calculus can also cause the following harmful side effects:
- Halitosis
Plaque and tartar together make your breath smell very bad and this condition is called Halitosis.
- Gingivitis
When you feel your gums become red or swollen and they bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. This condition is called gingivitis and if you don’t take care it will lead to a severe gum disease called Periodontitis.
- Receding gums.
Receding gums are also a type of periodontal disease in which gums leave their place, exposing more of your teeth for bacteria and allowing them to creep into the gaps between your gums and your teeth.
- Cavities
The tartar on your teeth can act as a shield for bacteria from the toothbrush. Then both the tartar and the plaque can cause tiny holes in the enamel of your teeth which further allows bacteria and acid to go deep down into the tooth and cause the development of cavities or holes.
- Tooth loss
If dental calculus is not treated in time, it can cause gum diseases that can ultimately lead to the loss of teeth.
Removal of Calculus bridge
Once the calculus is formed on your teeth then it cannot be removed by merely brushing or cleaning your teeth with a toothpaste and brush. You will have to visit a reliable dentist who can remove it professionally. Sometimes the professional cleaning may work and remove the vast majority of it. While some other time, it may not be enough for you. That is especially the case when the calculus has reached down far below the gumline.
What Does the Dentist Do with Calculus Bridge ?
A dental hygienist can clean this calculus with a handheld tool called a dental scaler. This dental scaler has a small hook on the end with which the tartar can be scraped easily. The dentist carefully removes the hardened plaque and tartar present between your teeth gaps and around your gum line.
Then the doctor smooths out the areas on the root surfaces after scaling your teeth. This process is commonly known as root planning. In addition to these tools, there are also ultrasonic instruments that can remove the calculus bridge safely and sound comfortably.
However, sometimes the calculus is extensive and too hard, that it may take more than one session to clean it. And that extensive cleaning can cause your gums to sore afterward.
How to prevent a calculus bridge?
When it comes to preventing the build-up of calculus bridge, dental hygiene is the key to success. Since the calculus starts building up right after the formation of the plaque layer. So, to avoid this thing you will have to be very careful about the plaque formation and its removal because it is the core cause and root of this problem. If the plaque gets treated at the right time, then there is no chance of it turning into calculus. So, just remember the saying “Prevention is better than cure” and take care of your teeth very well.
Steps to stay Calculus Free
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the following main steps which can keep your mouth healthy and Calculus Bridge free:
- Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day by using any toothpaste which contains fluoride.
- The brushing time should be 2 minutes every time.
- Clean your teeth in between these two brushing times also. This process called interdental cleaning should include flossing or any other tool which can clear away the debris that might be hidden between your teeth gaps.
- Avoid sugary drinks and snacks. That is because most of the sugary items provide opportunities for bacteria in your mouth to mingle with the sugar that’s left behind. Ultimately that becomes a major reason for the formation of plaque layers on your teeth.
- Moreover, it is recommended to visit a dentist regularly or at least once a week for a checkup. A dentist can carefully check your teeth and gums and can diagnose diseases like gingivitis, receding gums, and tooth decay.
- Let your dentist know your habits of eating and ask him for recommendations for strategies that may help you to keep protected from all the teeth and gum issues.
Besides all the above-mentioned tips and tricks, some research solutions may help you out. Some of those authentic researches include a 2008 double-blind clinical trial Trusted Source and a 2013 review of more than studies Trusted Source. According to both of them, you can get rid of all toothache and Calculus issues by using a tartar control toothpaste. Therefore, we suggest people looking for such pastes that contain both fluoride and triclosan. Both these chemical substances help to fight bacteria that form plaque.
Final Takeaways
The first and foremost strategy to protect your teeth from major painting issues is to prevent the formation of plaque, tartar, and Calculus Bridge. All three of them prove extremely harmful to your oral system.
The only way to prevent their formation is to regularly brush and floss your teeth twice a day with healthy toothpaste. As we know that Prevention is better than cure, the same is the case here. Preventing oral diseases is easier than getting rid of them.
Taking good care of your teeth may indicate that you may never have a Tartar or Calculus that requires to be get removed from different dental procedures.
Therefore, we advise you to keep your teeth clean and tidy by brushing your teeth every time after you have a meal. Moreover, it is suggested to avoid sugary and sweet items as they are the most attractive things for most dental problems.