Calculus ups; so they can advise you if caries is forming. Calculus is the hard stone like deposit on teeth formed by plaque When this happens, a filling is often that has calcified. recommended. If caries is left untreated for a longer time, and the Calculus is usually strongly attached bacteria have invaded into the to the teeth and must be removed by middle i.e. the pulp, of the tooth, an instrument. It can not be just you may even need to have a root brushed off the teeth. Subgingival canal treatment or extraction carried calculus (below the gums) is usually out. Your will always be advised of darker and more adherant to the the options on the treatment and tooth than the creamy yellow what is most appropriate for your supragingival calculus. tooth. Caries ( dental )/ Tooth decay You can do a lot at home to prevent caries forming in your teeth. Caries or 'tooth decay' is a disease of the hard structure of the teeth caused Brushing your teeth correctly to by various bacteria in the mouth. For remove plaque with a fluoride caries to form, the bacteria which are toothpaste and cleaning between the present in plaque need to have teeth with dental floss, sticks of sugars from food, and need to be interdental brushes will help to present long enough on the tooth reduce the amount of bacteria surface to cause demineralisation i.e. (plaque) on your teeth. to cause a reduction in the amount of, for example, calcium, in the You can also try to reduce the structure of the tooth. amount, and the frequency of the sugars and sweet things you eat and Once demineralisation has taken drink, as this will also help prevent place, the bacteria can invade the caries. It has been shown that tooth to deeper levels, and regular brushing, the use of eventually a cavity or caries lesion fluorides, and the reduction in may occur. quantity and frequency of sugar intake will all help to significantly Dentists can detect the presence of reduce caries. If you need more caries by noticing changes in the information about caries and tooth appearance of your teeth, and by the decay you must ask us. use of light and x-rays. This is one of the reasons why dentists recommend regular check- .