What Are the Dangers of Using a Plaque Scraper at Home?

When you visit Avalon Dental Care for your regular dental cleaning, our hygienist will use a special tool known as a plaque scraper or dental scaler to remove plaque and tartar deposits, leaving your teeth beautifully clean and fresh. Here’s all you need to know about this dental tool and why it should be left to the professionals.

What Is a Plaque Scraper and How Does It help?

Plaque scrapers or dental scalers are metal instruments with dangerously sharp points that dental hygienists use to remove every last bit of plaque and tartar from your teeth, roots, and gum line. If not removed, plaque and tartar can cause serious oral health concerns, including tooth decay and gum disease. That’s why we emphasize the importance of maintaining your twice-a-year dental visits.

Our dental hygienists have extensive training in using a dental scaler and a keen understanding of what to look for and how to remove plaque and tartar safely. Despite what the do-it-yourself plaque scraper promises of safe and effective plaque removal, this seemingly simple task can cause irreversible harm to your oral health.

What Are the Dangers of Using a Plaque Scraper at Home?

Plaque scrapers are specialized medical tools requiring extensive training on safe and effective use. Our dental hygienists participate in a two-year program and earn a degree that allows them to use scalers on the public.

We cannot overemphasize the dangers of DIY scaling of your teeth. Plaque scrapers are sharp, and their improper use can cause trauma to your delicate gum tissue. That can lead to gum recession, exposing your tooth roots which, in turn, can result in tooth sensitivity.

Plaque scrapers can scratch your tooth enamel and injure your tongue, cheeks, or other soft tissue. They can also cause infections, and one way they do that is by pushing tartar under the gum line, which may lead to a gum abscess and a host of complications requiring urgent dental attention.

Removing Plaque and Tartar Safely

The best way to remove plaque safely and promote your oral health is to maintain meticulous oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash. It’s also important to schedule your twice-a-year dental exams and cleanings so our trained dental hygienist can remove any plaque or tartar buildup with a scaler and other specialized dental tools.

Quality Preventive Dental Care in El Segundo and Lomita

Contact Avalon Dental Care to schedule your routine dental cleaning. Our team will evaluate your oral health to ensure everything is in tip-top shape. If you’re considering using a plaque scraper at home, please talk to one of our team members. We’ll discuss home care measures for long-term healthy smiles. Call us and schedule your appointment today!