DIY Scaler Tarter Removal?

cormie

I'm not too sure what the terms are, but just wondering what advice people would give for anyone wanting to do a bit of DIY tooth cleaning? I brush my teeth at least twice a day and floss every night and use an oral irrigator every odd week too, I've got pretty good teeth but they wouldn't be perfectly straight, from time to time, there might be a small stain that has built up which brushing and flossing hasn't removed, if I scrape it gently with the end of my finger nail, this will clean it away.

I'm just wondering are these things a good instrument to have and would they be safe to use for irregular cleaning of more stubborn teeth marks that the tooth brush hasn't tackled?: http://www.amazon.co.uk/DENTAL-MIRROR-AND-SCALERS-SET/dp/B005S7TM3Q/ref=pd_cp_d_2

One comment says they are being missold as scrapers and shouldn't be use as a scraper at all and they can damage your teeth as they are sharp etc?

Any feedback appreciated. This would be for use between dental cleaning visits of course and not need to be used daily or anything of the sort.

Dianthus

The only correctly marketed instrument is the mirror. The other two instruments are not scalers, but a dental probe& a carver.

Regardless, DIY rarely ends well, in any field....!

cormie

Thanks for the reply, would there be anything as soft but as effective as say my own fingernail that could get into tighter spots? Just something to keep going between dental visits?

xzanti

I wouldn't imagine it's ever a good idea to take a metal implement to your teeth.. enamel does not grow back!

Get your Dentist to do your scaling for you.

LottieP25

cormie wrote: »

I'm not too sure what the terms are, but just wondering what advice people would give for anyone wanting to do a bit of DIY tooth cleaning? I brush my teeth at least twice a day and floss every night and use an oral irrigator every odd week too, I've got pretty good teeth but they wouldn't be perfectly straight, from time to time, there might be a small stain that has built up which brushing and flossing hasn't removed, if I scrape it gently with the end of my finger nail, this will clean it away.

I'm just wondering are these things a good instrument to have and would they be safe to use for irregular cleaning of more stubborn teeth marks that the tooth brush hasn't tackled?: http://www.amazon.co.uk/DENTAL-MIRROR-AND-SCALERS-SET/dp/B005S7TM3Q/ref=pd_cp_d_2

One comment says they are being missold as scrapers and shouldn't be use as a scraper at all and they can damage your teeth as they are sharp etc?

Any feedback appreciated. This would be for use between dental cleaning visits of course and not need to be used daily or anything of the sort.

Oh god don't buy it, your going to do so much damage, dentists and hygienists are trained how to safely remove staining and calculus, you're not!!

In between dental visits you should be flossing like you said , cleaning a min of twice a day and using an alcohol free based mouthwash!!

If you are getting staining on your teeth quickly then look for the reason, it could be due to using an unsuitable mouthwash, drinking too much tea it coffee, smoking.

As xzanti said , enamel doesn't repair itself , once it's damaged it's irreversible , you will leave dentine exposed which is a softer tissue and as a result will leave you open to a whole new range of issues.

cormie

Thanks for the replies again Ok, I think I'll stay away from it, to be honest, the staining is absolutely minimal and wouldn't be noticed unless under close inspection, I don't drink tea, coffee or smoke and often receive compliments on how white my teeth are. My first dentist visit was in 2009 at the age of 25 and I have since had a few fillings etc but otherwise I'm in good shape. Just want to minimise the need for any future work so if that means staying away from scrapers etc, so be it.