Black plaque – reasons for how to remove it from teeth at home and at the dentist

The process of formation of dark plaque on teeth -

As we said above, dark plaque on teeth is formed due to various pigments that are deposited on the surface of the teeth. But to be completely precise, it is thanks to chromophores (these are compounds in pigments that determine their color). Chromophores can be of organic and inorganic origin. For example, organic chromophores include the so-called polyphenolic compounds, which include “tannins”, “furfural”, etc. These compounds can be found in coffee, tea, wine and fruits.

Tobacco smoke (polyphenols, etc.) also contains a large number of dark-colored pigments of organic origin. As for inorganic chromophores, these include metal ions - primarily Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ (divalent and trivalent iron), Cu 2+ (divalent copper), as well as Mn 2+ (divalent iron). valence manganese). And I think - everyone now understands that the formation of pigmented plaque on teeth occurs due to the deposition of organic and inorganic chromophores on the surface of the teeth. A particularly interesting process will be the deposition of metal salts on the teeth of children and adults, which we will discuss in detail below.

Important: dark plaque on teeth forms much more slowly if the surface of the teeth is clean and does not have a layer of soft microbial plaque or hard tartar. But, if there is soft microbial plaque on the teeth that has not been properly removed (during oral hygiene), or there is already a tightly attached layer of partially mineralized plaque, then in this case the pigments are integrated into their structure much faster.

Those. to the bacterial film on the surface of the teeth, as well as to a rough surface (for example, fillings) - pigments will “stick” much faster than to a completely clean tooth surface. The same applies to tartar, which is dental plaque mineralized by calcium salts contained in saliva (primarily calcium phosphate). And chromophores, i.e. pigments - they can integrate perfectly even into the crystal lattice of calcium phosphate, which, together with bacteria, makes up tartar.

Types of plaque

Soft deposits consist of pathogenic microflora: streptococci, staphylococci, lactobacilli, leptotrichia, etc., as well as their metabolic products. Among microorganisms there are those that contain a coloring pigment. Therefore, dental plaque can be colored in any color:

white or slightly yellowish is formed due to poor hygiene;
gray indicates a violation of mineralization processes;
green indicates that the dust is dominated by bacteria whose waste products contain chlorophyll;
yellow informs that the deposits have been pigmented by food dyes (tea, coffee, etc.);
brown is formed in smokers or people who secrete iron that is not absorbed by the body in their saliva;
black or dark brown is formed, as a rule, on milk teeth with a predominance of pigment-forming bacteria.

Dark plaque on teeth from smoking, tea and coffee -

Yellow or brown plaque on teeth can most often be found in patients who smoke or drink strong coffee or tea. Below we will once again present 2 photographs in which we ask you to pay attention to the following. Both patients have plaque on their teeth (especially a lot of soft microbial plaque). We have already said above that pigments hardly adhere to clean tooth enamel, but very quickly attach to the layer of microbial plaque.

Pigment + bacterial plaque –

But if with stains from tea and coffee everything is quite simple, and they can be attributed simply to superficial pollution, then with smoking things are more complicated. On the one hand, some of the pigments contained in tobacco tar will indeed remain only on the surface of the tooth enamel, and in the future this pigment plaque can be removed without problems. But on the other hand, experienced smokers may experience a change in the physiological color of the enamel and even dentin, which is associated with prolonged penetration of the resin into the depths of the hard tissues of the tooth (this occurs through many micro-cracks on the surface of the enamel). And such pigmentation cannot be changed by professional teeth cleaning, and chemical whitening will be required.

But yellow plaque on teeth can form not only among lovers of tobacco, strong tea or coffee. Pay attention to the photo of the lower teeth below. This patient does not smoke, does not abuse coffee or tea, but in this patient, in the area of the necks of the teeth, a layer of partially mineralized dental plaque is clearly visible, which is already tightly attached to the tooth enamel and can no longer be cleaned off with a regular toothbrush. Those. The problem here, again, is not related to excessive consumption of coffee or tea, but, first of all, to insufficient oral hygiene. As a result of this, the completely soft microbial plaque that has not been removed begins to mineralize and at the same time turns a little yellow.

Partially mineralized dental plaque –

Important: drinks and food products that contain a large amount of pigments - dark-colored carbonated drinks, beets, wine, tea or coffee, spices, berries and some fruits (24stoma.ru). If the tooth enamel is not covered with a layer of microbial plaque, then such products can only temporarily change the color of the tooth enamel (for example, many people notice that immediately after drinking wine their teeth turn blue for a short time). But in the presence of dental plaque, pigments penetrate into the structure of the latter, remaining in it for a long time.

Other causes of darkening of teeth -

Some ingredients in oral care products can stain your teeth. First of all, we are talking about such a common antiseptic as chlorhexidine, which is included in many toothpastes and mouth rinses. The same effect can be caused by the antiseptic benzalkonium chloride, which can be included not only in some mouth rinses, but also in some dental gels (an example is Kamistad gel).

Long-term use of rinses and toothpastes containing essential oils can also lead to darkening of your teeth, because the latter are also polyphenolic compounds (eg Listerine mouthwash). But here it should be noted that black plaque on teeth as a result of the use of antiseptics and essential oils does not appear in all patients. The fact is that darkening occurs only on those surfaces of the teeth on which there is a layer of microbial plaque. And it is possible that while this coating was light, you simply did not notice it. But in any case, such darkening will be reversible.

Dark plaque after using chlorhexidine -

Another common ingredient in hygiene products that can lead to darkening of teeth is stannous fluoride (SnF2), which is included in some toothpastes as an anti-caries component. There is a scientific paper about this at the link above. The fact is that pigments (chromophores) can also be formed by chemical processes of initially colorless compounds. In addition, stannous fluoride can react with volatile sulfur compounds produced by oral bacteria to form tin sulfide (SnS2). This can cause plaque-covered tooth surfaces or demineralized areas of enamel to turn yellowish.

But! Dark plaque on teeth can occur even with good oral hygiene, and even if you do not smoke or drink strong tea or coffee. This formation mechanism is associated with the vital activity of chromogenic bacteria in the oral cavity, which primarily includes actinomycetes. Most often, the formation of such plaque occurs in children, but adults are no exception (see photo below).

Black plaque produced by chromogenic bacteria -

Why does plaque form on teeth?

Various factors can provoke the formation of plaque. It often consists of food debris, bacteria and is formed due to insufficient oral hygiene. But sometimes plaque appears even in those patients who regularly brush their teeth efficiently. Why? This is due to the darkening of the enamel under the influence of coloring pigments contained in coffee, strong black tea, and nicotine. In addition, a change in the aesthetic appearance of enamel is possible under the influence of certain medications, diseases of the liver, spleen, mouth rinses, as well as as a result of the activity of chromogenic bacteria (occurs in childhood).

Black plaque on teeth appears among workers in the metallurgical industry who daily inhale condensate containing microparticles of heavy metals. Units darken and collapse in people with drug addiction.

Black plaque on a child’s teeth –

As we said above, the mechanism of deposition of insoluble metal salts on teeth will work not only in children, but also in some adults. The fact is that in the oral cavity there are bacteria called actinomycetes. They are anaerobic bacteria and are often called chromogenic bacteria. It is these bacteria that are responsible for the appearance of black or tightly attached plaque, located circularly in the area of the necks of the teeth (Fig. 10-12). Sometimes such plaque may have a brown or greenish tint.

Black plaque in a child -

According to various statistics, the formation of dark plaque occurs in 1 to 20% of all children, and the process itself occurs as follows... Actinomycetes, in the course of their life activity, release hydrogen sulfite, which enters into a chemical reaction with iron compounds contained in saliva. As a result, an insoluble form of iron is formed (with impurities of calcium and phosphorus), which is deposited on the teeth in the form of a black plaque. Moreover, this happens even in patients with high-quality regular oral hygiene.

Scientific studies have shown that the deposition of black plaque in the form of insoluble iron salts is associated with 2 main factors. Firstly, we are talking about the species composition of the microflora of the oral cavity, i.e. The higher the content of actinomycetes in the oral cavity, the higher the risk of black plaque formation. Thus, one of the scientific studies showed that in children aged 6-12 years with black spots, actinomycetes were sown in 70% of cases, and in children without black spots - only in 20% of cases. And this shows an obvious dependence.

In addition to actinomycetes, bacteria of the genus Prevotella, for example, P.gingivalis and P.intermedia, can also lead to the deposition of insoluble iron salts. But they show such activity only if a child or adult has concomitant gum inflammation, manifested by bleeding. Those. These bacteria extract iron from red blood cells that enter the mouth during gum disease, turning it into black plaque. Thus, the presence of gingivitis in the patient is another risk factor.

The connection between black plaque and drinking water –

Scientific studies show that drinking unfiltered tap water, as well as water purified by osmosis, increases the risk of deposition of insoluble iron salts in the form of black plaque by 13 times (you can read the clinical study at this link). How to remove such plaque - read at the very end of the article.

How to prevent plaque formation?

As you know, the best treatment for diseases is their prevention. To prevent unaesthetic plaque on your teeth from bothering you and making you suffer in the dentist’s chair, remember a few rules that will help keep your teeth white, strong and smooth:

Give up bad habits. No matter how trivial it may sound, it is smoking and alcohol abuse that are the strongest enemies of enamel. Put out the cigarette once and for all, minimize the consumption of wine, beer, vodka and other strong drinks, and within a couple of months you will notice that the condition of your teeth has noticeably improved.
Review your diet . Coffee, soda, sweet juice and black tea are not at all safe for your teeth, even if you drink them through a straw. And caramels, toffees, cakes and chocolates not only leave an unpleasant coating on the enamel, but also provoke tooth decay. Include more fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs in your diet - these are the foods that allow you to cleanse crowns naturally; in addition, plants strengthen the body.
Don't write off sugar-free candies and chewing gum . These products activate salivation.
Remember the rules of personal hygiene . Brushing your teeth twice a day is the key to healthy enamel, crowns, gums and nerves. Choose your toothpaste carefully, brush every square millimeter, be mindful of the space between your teeth, and be sure to remove the film from your tongue.

Effective and safe teeth whitening and cleansing of surface enamel stains is provided by Asepta Plus gentle whitening toothpaste. This paste has a unique multi-stage teeth cleaning system that guarantees whitening for 4 weeks without damaging the tooth enamel. Hydroxyapatite and potassium citrate, which are part of the paste, mineralize weakened tooth enamel, prevent the occurrence of increased tooth sensitivity, and calamus and eleutherococcus extracts strengthen the gums and accelerate the regeneration processes of the oral mucosa.

How to remove black plaque on teeth -

If you only have a not too pronounced dark plaque on your teeth (in the absence of tartar or a thick layer of pigmented plaque), its amount can be reduced using an Oral-b electric brush and a special toothpaste with increased abrasiveness. We'll cover this method below, but keep in mind that this will only work on a thin layer of plaque.

How to remove plaque on teeth if a thick layer of plaque has formed or there is already tartar - in this case, you should immediately contact your dentist for professional teeth cleaning. Professional cleaning will completely remove all external contaminants from your teeth, but if you are an experienced smoker and pigmentation of the hard tooth tissues themselves (enamel and dentin) has already occurred, then chemical bleaching may also be required.

If the tooth has darkened

If one tooth has darkened and this is not a superficial plaque, but a change in the color of the tooth enamel, this means that we are talking about the death of the dental nerve and damage to the pulp. Perhaps the nerve was killed or removed during dental treatment, or the patient was in no hurry to see a doctor during an acute inflammatory process that led to the death of the nerve. Be that as it may, if a tooth is blackened from the inside, it means that only intra-canal whitening, installation of a crown or veneer will help it. In this case, the dentist must first find out why the tooth turned black and rule out the inflammatory process.

As a rule, an experienced specialist, when treating a tooth with nerve removal, knows that it will change color and immediately advises the patient to think about installing a crown or veneer. Therefore, if you don’t know exactly why your tooth turns black, remember if your doctor warned you about the possibility of such consequences.

Sometimes the reason a patient goes to the dentist is that the tooth has turned black under the filling. In this case, the cause of the tooth discoloration is most likely due to poor quality treatment. In particular, the filling may turn black if blood gets into it during installation - for example, because the doctor injured the gum. Also, a tooth under a filling may turn black if the dentist has not completely removed the damaged tooth and the carious process continues under the filling. In this case, the filling will have to be removed and a new one installed. This is a good reason to think about the professionalism of the doctor who performed the dental treatment.

In any case, the first thing to do if a tooth has turned black is to contact a reliable, highly qualified dentist.

Removing dental plaque at the dentist -

Depending on the amount of plaque and tartar, as well as the equipment of the dental office, the dentist can use the following methods or a combination of them:

ultrasonic cleaning + conventional mechanical polishing (carried out using a polishing brush and paste),
ultrasonic cleaning + Air-Flow,
Air-Flow only.

a) Cleaning dental plaque using Air Flow –

The Air-Flow method is something like sandblasting. From a special tip under high pressure, a water-air mixture with particles of an abrasive-polishing substance is supplied to the tooth surface. This method works great if your layer of pigmented plaque is not too thick and there are no massive hard dental deposits. But if they do exist, then the dentist will first remove the massive deposits with ultrasound and, using Air-flow, polish your teeth, removing all the smallest irregularities and plaque residues.

How to get rid of plaque using Air-flow –

b) Removal of dental plaque using ultrasound –

Ultrasound cleaning of plaque is the most common and most versatile method. Its advantage is that with the help of ultrasonic cleaning devices (scalers) you can remove pigmented plaque of any severity, as well as the most massive hard dental deposits. The cost of the procedure averages from 150 to 200 rubles per 1 tooth, but there are clinics where this service can cost even 400-500 rubles (per 1 tooth).

A nozzle is inserted into the tip of the ultrasonic scaler, the tip of which oscillates at ultrasonic frequency during the procedure, and during the oscillation process water is supplied generously to the tip of the nozzle. As a result of mechanical contact of the nozzle with dental plaque, the attachment of the latter to the tooth is destroyed. The cavitation mechanism also works in parallel. It lies in the fact that the propagation of ultrasonic waves in an aqueous environment leads to the formation of many air bubbles, which burst with the occurrence of hydrodynamic impacts (this leads to cleansing of the tooth surface).

Removing plaque using ultrasound (video) –

After ultrasonic cleaning, tiny particles of plaque (irregularities) always remain on the surface, which must be removed. This can be done either using Air-flow, or using traditional teeth polishing using a rotating polishing brush with bristles and a special polishing paste. If polishing is not done, the tooth surface will remain rough, which will lead to the rapid adhesion of new portions of microbial and pigmented plaque to the teeth.

Types of tartar

Tartar can be localized on the visible surfaces of the teeth - then it is called supragingival. If it forms on the roots, it is called subgingival. In addition to location, supragingival and subgingival calculus have several other important differences.

Supragingival calculus has a hard or clay-like consistency. The minerals for its formation come from saliva. The color is white or light yellow, but often the deposits are colored in various colors by food pigments and tobacco. Such stone can accumulate on one, several or all teeth, most often on the side of the cheek on the molars of the upper jaw and on the side of the palate on the lower incisors. In advanced cases, deposits fill the spaces between adjacent teeth and connect them with a bridge-like structure;
Subgingival tartar is formed in gingival and periodontal pockets. Usually it is denser and harder, firmly attached to the surface of the tooth. Substances for its mineralization come from blood serum. The color of subgingival calculus is dark brown or greenish-black. This variety is dangerous because it is not detected by the dentist during a visual examination and is diagnosed only with the help of a special instrument - a probe. In young patients, subgingival calculus is less common, but after 40 years, like supragingival calculus, the vast majority of people have it [1].

How to remove plaque from teeth at home -

You can remove plaque from your teeth at home using a combination: an Oral-b electric brush + a special teeth polisher.
As the latter, you can use, for example, PRESIDENT White Plus toothpaste, which has an abrasiveness of RDA 200. But the best option is to buy a special dental polishing paste that the dentist uses. The best option for such polishing pastes is Detartrine or Detartrine Z (the latter is better, but more expensive). Oral-b toothbrush and Detartrine series toothpastes:

You can use the Oral-b electric toothbrush every day, and in fact, these brushes are made exactly like a dentist's tool for polishing teeth from plaque. But the special tooth polishing pastes mentioned above are not intended for daily use, but only for periodic processing. Such pastes are capable (even without the use of ultrasonic cleaning) of removing not only moderate pigmentation plaque, but even small tartar.

But still, it would be optimal to first undergo professional oral hygiene at the dentist, and use our recommendations as “regular maintenance therapy.” In addition, it should be taken into account that the home method of removing plaque mentioned above has special requirements for the process of carrying out this procedure, which you can read in the article at the link below.

→ Removing stone and plaque

Prevention

The formation of deposits on enamel is a physiological process that cannot be eliminated completely. However, there are general rules to reduce the intensity of its formation and minimize pathological consequences. These include:

Personal hygiene. You should brush your teeth at least twice every day. In this case, you need to follow the cleaning rules recommended by dentists in order to get rid of the maximum amount of food debris and bacteria.
Correct selection of paste and brush. Choosing the right teeth cleaning tools matters more than many people think. The brush should not injure the gums. It needs to be changed every 3 months. The paste is selected according to age.
Using dental floss and mouthwash. Dental floss allows you to get rid of food debris and deposits in the spaces between the teeth. The rinse has a beneficial effect on the condition of the enamel and promotes the normal functioning of the gums. It can be used after meals to reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth.
Timely treatment. Diseases of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and other systems must be treated promptly and correctly. Self-medication can only aggravate the situation and lead to complications.
Proper care. Orthodontic structures in the oral cavity require separate cleaning and care. Ignoring this factor not only leads to increased formation of deposits, but can also cause the development of an inflammatory process.
To give up smoking. A bad habit negatively affects the entire body.
Avoiding excessive consumption of coffee, tea, and coloring drinks.

Every person should have their teeth professionally cleaned once a year to remove tartar and hard deposits on the enamel. This allows you not only to improve the appearance of your teeth, but also to prevent a number of oral diseases. The reason why you should contact Nurimed is an individual approach to each client’s problem followed by a comprehensive solution.

Black plaque on a child’s teeth: treatment

Both pigmented microbial plaque and chromogenic staining of teeth due to the activity of actinomycetes bacteria are removed equally in both children and adults, but there are nuances depending on age. For example, Air-flow can be used no earlier than from 12-15 years of age (at the discretion of a specialist), ultrasonic cleaning can be used from 14 years of age. Therefore, in younger children, removal of dark plaque is carried out only with the help of a polishing brush and paste.

Removing dark plaque from a child (before and after photos) –

The main problem with removing pigment plaque caused by chromogenic staining (deposits of insoluble iron salts) is that usually the black plaque returns within 2-3 weeks. Therefore, you don’t really go to the dentist. And in order to prevent the reappearance of black plaque as much as possible, you need to follow the recommendations from the list below.

Prevention of chromogenic staining –

solve the problem with drinking water (we already said above that drinking ordinary tap water, as well as water purified by an osmotic filter, increases the risk of stains by 13 times),
stop taking chewable forms of vitamins,
if you have bleeding gums, you need to see a dentist and have gingivitis treated,
if you use pastes with stannous fluoride, switch to pastes with sodium fluoride or amino fluoride,
use toothpastes that contain pyrophosphates, sodium citrate, polyaspartate, as well as polydone and bromelain (all these components prevent pigments from attaching to tooth enamel),
use toothpastes with lactoferrin (this glycoprotein has the ability to bind 2 trivalent iron ions per 1 molecule),
Buy your child an Oral-B electric toothbrush (from 3 years of age).

All this will reduce the risk of black plaque deposits, and thanks to an electric toothbrush, you can also polish your child’s teeth yourself. Here it is necessary to clarify that many models of Oral-B electric toothbrushes are for adults - in some modes they can also be used by children from 4 years old, but under the supervision of adults. By the way, you can read about how lactoferrin prevents the formation of black plaque from insoluble iron salts in an English-language study at this link.

Professional Air Flow cleaning

This method is considered the most gentle on enamel and painless. The essence of the procedure is to influence deposits with a mixture of water, air and soda crystals, which is supplied under pressure. This way you can clean your teeth and the spaces between them.

The dentist recommends Air Flow cleaning to the patient in the following cases:

the presence of plaque that turns into stone;
discoloration of enamel caused by drinking strong tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, smoking;
if it is necessary to install or remove crowns, braces, implants, high-quality cleaning of these systems;
the presence of tightly spaced, twisted teeth in a row;
the appearance of symptoms of periodontal disease.

Timely cleaning with such a device helps prevent the development of caries, gingivitis, periodontitis and periodontal disease. It allows you to effectively remove deposits on teeth, between units, even in the most inaccessible places, as well as on dental structures. At the same time, the enamel becomes lighter by 1-2 tones, pigment spots disappear. During polishing, the enamel is saturated with fluoride and strengthened.

Despite all the advantages of Air Flow, this procedure has a number of contraindications. In particular, it is not carried out when:

severe pathologies of the respiratory system, including bronchial asthma;
hepatitis;
diabetes mellitus;
tuberculosis;
tendency to allergic reactions;
HIV;
infectious diseases;
heart rhythm disturbances, presence of a pacemaker;
increased sensitivity of enamel;
the presence of areas of demineralization;
installed titanium implants.

This method of professional cleaning is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation.

After the procedure, for 2-3 days the patient may complain of pain when eating cold and hot food. To reduce enamel sensitivity, you must use toothpaste labeled “Sensitive.” Be sure to buy a new brush with soft bristles.

During this period, it is better to exclude sour and sweet foods, cold and hot foods from the diet, refuse to drink carbonated drinks with dyes (including low-alcohol ones), coffee, strong black tea, and red wine. It is undesirable to eat red and orange fruits and vegetables.

Preventing tea stains on teeth

Tea lovers need to use a special whitening paste. A good option is to purchase ASEPTA PLUS, which provides gentle whitening and protection against plaque formation and unwanted pigmentation.

Advantages of ASEPTA PLUS paste:

a unique multi-stage cleaning system that does not damage the enamel;
content of potassium citrate and hydroxyapatite, which mineralize weakened enamel.
calamus and eleutherococcus extracts strengthen the gums and help maintain healthy mucous membranes;
Possibility of daily use.