When you visit your dentist's office for a check-up and cleaning, your dental hygienist typically uses specialised tools to remove hardened debris and food from your teeth. Among these dental tools is a scaler or curette – known as a plaque scraper or ultrasonic tooth cleaner – to remove the plaque and tartar build-up.
Although consumer plaque scrapers are widely available, it's not a good idea to use them yourself. We'll give you the scoop on why home plaque scrapers can be risky business – and the best way you can remove plaque.