Is it Safe to Use a Plaque Scraper at Home? A Dentist’s Advice

Plaque is a sticky film that forms on everybody’s teeth. While what you eat plays a role in its development, plaque begins to form when the natural bacteria in your mouth get mixed with sweet, sugary foods and drinks or starch-rich food items like bread, rice and other grains.

Left unchecked, plaque hardens and becomes tartar, which can be difficult to remove effectively at home and on your own. In fact, keeping tartar from forming is one reason that you should be vigilant about seeing your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.

The one key tool your dentist uses to remove plaque from your teeth is called a scaler, or a plaque scraper. With it, your dentist can scrape the plaque off the surfaces of your teeth so that it doesn’t have a chance to harden into problematic tartar.

Although we tend to think of scrapers as tools with a flat face, similar to a putty knife, oral scrapers are actually sharp, hook-like instruments that your dental hygienist uses manually. More recently, manufacturers developed hand-held ultrasonic models that utilize vibrations to help loosen plaque and tartar. These new instruments are increasingly common in dental practices.

In addition, dental product companies and inventors have gone to the retail market with inexpensive scrapers to reach consumers directly. More and more people are buying over-the-counter plaque scrapers in lieu of visiting the dentist or out of vigilance to keep their teeth clean.

​​Professional dental tools to remove plaque

Your dental hygienist uses a variety of tools during your visit to keep your teeth clean and sparkling. While the devices your team might use can vary based on your oral health, most dental offices are stocked with the same set of equipment.

Common professional dental tools to remove plaque include the following:

• Curettes: These tools have a long handle with two very sharp hooks on either end. They can remove plaque that’s collecting around your tooth and below your gum line.

• Hand scalers: These tools look very similar to curettes, but they’re sharper and curvier. Your team might use these tools to get plaque the curettes can’t touch.

• Powered scalers: This tool has a sharp edge, just like the hand-held version, but it is motorized. The vibrations can remove plaque more effectively with less pain.

• Polishers: These tools have a rotating end that’s placed on the hard surfaces of your teeth to remove any remaining deposits that weren’t removed with the other tools.

Are Plaque Scrapers Safe to Use on Your Own?

Plaque scrapers are popping up more and more in drug and grocery stores, leading well-intentioned shoppers to pick one up on their way to the checkout line. The problem is that you simply don’t have the skills to use one properly if you’re not a dentist.

That’s because most plaque scrapers are extremely sharp instruments designed to help remove every bit of plaque from your teeth. In the wrong hands though, a plaque scraper could cause gum irritation or damage, lead to scratches in your dental enamel or cause infection if you push plaque and tarter beneath your gum line instead of removing it.

Injuring your cheeks, lips and tongue is also possible. If you’re considering using a plaque scraper at home, make sure your dentist has approved it and shown you the correct procedure for your dental health needs.

Understand the risks of DIY plaque removal

We’ve mentioned how dangerous professional-grade dental tools can be in the hands of average consumers. But what exactly can go wrong? Let’s outline a few common consequences of trying DIY dentistry.

The enamel that protects your teeth is less than 2 mm thick. It’s surprisingly strong, but it’s also easy to damage with very sharp tools and hooks. Your enamel also doesn’t extend to the root of your tooth. If you use a scraper improperly, you could scratch your enamel. You could also chip it away from the lower layers of your teeth if you push the scaler below your gum line.

Plaque scrapers are also very sharp, and it’s hard to guide them into your mouth safely. One small slip could lead to a deep cut on your cheeks, tongue, or lips. These injuries can easily get infected by the bacteria inside your mouth.

After buying DIY tools, you may also be less likely to visit your dentist for regular screenings. A skipped visit could mean a reduced opportunity to catch dental disease at its earliest stages when it’s easier to treat. Researchers say almost 45% of people have untreated cavities. If you don’t visit your doctor regularly, you could be included in this statistic.

How to Use a Scraper Properly

Using a plaque scraper is usually best left to your dentist. In rare circumstances, your dentist may advise you that certain tasks can be done with a plaque scraper safely at home.

However, you’ll need to work with your dentist or a hygienist to learn the routine that’s best for you. If you don’t, you could risk damaging your teeth, hurting your gums or creating other problems in your mouth.

In most cases, your dentist will recommend that you start at the base of your gum line and guide the sharp tip between your teeth to scrape away plaque. In this way, you’re using a plaque scraper much like dental floss.

In general, you’re better off sticking to regular dental floss, a water-based dental pick or an interdental brush when it comes to your at-home dental care routine. Antibacterial and plaque-reducing mouthwashes can also be very helpful without the risks of a sharp plaque scraper.

Top Scraper Brands

Plaque scrapers are easy for a consumer to find, though most dentists and hygienists typically won’t advise you to use one on your own. If your dentist does recommend one for at-home use, ask them what model you should consider buying to fit your dental health goals.

If you do end up shopping for a new plaque scraper, you’ll find no shortage of branded models with the logos of various manufacturers, many of which make other dental products like toothpaste and toothbrushes. Store-branded plaque scrapers and dental care products are also available.

Top brands include:

• PERSMAX Calculus Cleaner and Ultrasonic Cleaning Kit

• SonicBrush + Calculus and Plaque Remover Kit

• Safco 204 Scaler Hand Tool

• Dentek Professional Oral Care Kit

Caring for your teeth doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need sharp plaque scrapers or costly ultrasonic tools that are better off in a dentist’s office than on your vanity to take care of your teeth either.

Reach out to today to learn more about proper dental care and schedule an appointment with a dentist. When it comes to overall dental health, nothing beats a professional cleaning and check-up.

At-home dental tools to remove plaque

Some companies sell curettes and hand scalers for at-home use. Consumers are told they can use these devices safely and effectively, ensuring they don’t need more dental visits than absolutely necessary.

It’s not safe to use curettes and hand scalers to remove plaque at home. However, there are several other at-home tools that could help you keep your teeth clean. They include the following:

Electric toothbrushes

An electric toothbrush has a replaceable bristle head attached to a motor. Some toothbrushes vibrate, allowing you to loosen plaque by simply holding the brush to your teeth. Others rotate, allowing the bristles to touch all of the surfaces of your teeth without moving the brush up and down or forward and back.

In head-to-head studies, researchers say electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual brushes for removing plaque. They can improve the health of both your teeth and the gums that support them.

If you’re looking for a safer way to remove plaque, an electric toothbrush could be a good investment. Your dentist can help you choose a brand and learn how to use the tool safely. Pushing too hard can damage your teeth and gums, so you should use the tool with care. Allow the motor to do the work while you slowly guide the bristles through your entire mouth.

Water-based flossers

Flossing helps to remove deposits that collect between your teeth. Most people are encouraged to floss at least once per day, but it’s not easy for everyone. Manipulating floss can be complicated for people with arthritis, and those with a tricky gag reflex may feel uncomfortable while they floss.

An electric, water-based flosser shoots a jet of fluid between the teeth to loosen plaque and food deposits. People can spit out the liquid at the end of the session. Using a water flosser is relatively easy, but your dentist can help you understand how to use the tool if you have questions.

In head-to-head comparisons, researchers found that water flossers are just as efficient as regular floss in removing plaque. If you’ve been avoiding floss, a motorized version could be a good option.

How can you prevent dental plaque?

Keeping your teeth clean is an excellent way to prevent cavities from forming. Changing your diet may help too. The American Dental Association says the foods and drinks we consume have a direct impact on plaque-causing colonies inside our mouths.

Harmful foods and drinks include the following:

• Sugars: Fruit juices, honey, sugary snacks, desserts, and other sweet treats are directly associated with plaque formation and cavities.

• Carbonation: Fizzy drinks tend to be acidic, which can erode a tooth’s natural protection and cause cavities.

• Acids: Foods with a high acid content can erode your enamel and make cavities more likely.

Foods and drinks that might be helpful include the following:

• Dairy: Milk and other dairy products may help to inhibit cavity formation.

• Calcium-filled foods: Plant-based calcium alternatives include soy, almonds, nuts, flaxseed, and oats.

When you’re preparing your meals, focus on foods that are low in sugar and acids. Sip cool water instead of sugary juices. And always brush after you eat to wipe any excess food away.