What Is a Calculus Bridge?

When plaque on your teeth gets out of control, it hardens, forming tartar, also known as calculus. A calculus bridge is when this buildup coats multiple teeth and starts to fill in gaps. If untreated, this can lead to serious dental issues, including gum disease and tooth decay.

This article provides an overview of calculus bridges, including their causes, their impact on oral health, and their treatment and prevention.

How Plaque Can Cause a Calculus Bridge

Plaque is a bacteria-rich film that forms on the teeth, along the gumline and on such surfaces as fillings and dental crowns. This colorless or pale-yellow substance forms naturally throughout the day as bacteria digest carbohydrates and sugars from the foods and drinks you consume.

If plaque isn't cleaned off of your teeth, it hardens to form calculus. Calculus is composed of calcium, bacteria, and other organic matter in the mouth.

While proper brushing and flossing can remove plaque, tartar can only be removed with dental cleanings and procedures. Poor dental hygiene, especially incorrect brushing or flossing, is the primary driver of tartar formation.

What Does a Calculus Bridge Look Like?

Unlike plaque, a calculus buildup is visible and can vary in color depending on where it's located relative to the gumline. Calculus is a denser, claylike substance, typically yellow above the gumline and dark brown, green, or black below the gumline.

A calculus bridge forms when calculus coats multiple teeth in a row and starts to fill in the gaps between them. Individual cases vary but a calculus bridge tends to start as a dark discoloration on the teeth along the gumline before spreading.

Side Effects of a Calculus Bridge

Calculus in the mouth has a distinct and severe impact on tooth and gum health. Especially if untreated, calculus bridges lead to various dental conditions, including the following.

Halitosis

Chronic bad breath, known as halitosis, is a common sign of calculus formation. Worse than typical cases of “morning breath” or after eating certain foods, halitosis isn’t cleared up by brushing your teeth, using mouthwash, or mints. Halitosis can lead to periodontal disease, an advanced form of gum disease.

Gum Disease

The most common side effect of calculus buildup is gum disease, a bacterial infection of the gums. Early-stage gum disease is called gingivitis. It's primarily an inflammation of the tissues that causes bleeding, red, or swollen gums. You can reverse early-stage gum disease with proper dental care and cleaning.

In periodontitis, the more advanced stages of periodontal disease, pockets form between the teeth and the gums, which can become infected. If untreated, this can lead to loosened or lost teeth and deterioration of tissue and the jawbone.   

Receding Gums

When calculus bridges lead to periodontal disease, a common complication is receding gums. The progression of the bacterial infection destroys connective tissue, leading to bone loss and exposing the roots of teeth. Receding gums form gaps between teeth and gums that can become sites for plaque and calculus buildup.

Tooth Decay

The bacteria in calculus feed on the sugars in the mouth, emitting acids as a byproduct. This creates an acidic environment that breaks down your tooth enamel, leading to cavities (clinically known as dental caries). If allowed to progress, cavities cause pain, sensitivity, infection, and tooth loss.     

Calculus Bridge Removal and Prevention

Once a calculus bridge has formed, only a dental health professional can remove it. However, there’s a lot you can do to stop plaque from becoming a problem. Here’s an overview of treatment and prevention options for calculus bridges.

Calculus Bridge Removal

Dentists or dental hygienists use special tools and procedures to scrape calculus from the teeth and prevent further buildup. There are several standard treatments, including: 

• Dental scaling: Part of routine dental cleaning is dental scaling, during which the dentist uses specialized tools to scrape off calculus deposits from the crowns of teeth.   
• Polishing: Following the removal of the calculus, the dentist will clean and smooth the surfaces of the teeth, which can prevent bacterial buildup. Not only does tooth polishing improve appearance, it has therapeutic value.
• Deep cleaning: Also known as scaling and root planing, the dentist or hygienist numbs your gums and scrapes away tartar from below the gumline. Sometimes, they'll need to remove the deposits at the tooth's root and smooth out the area. This prevents bacteria from returning.

Since removing calculus is more involved than regular cleaning and can include work below the gumline, it may cause soreness or discomfort.

How to Prevent a Calculus Bridge

Maintaining good oral health prevents plaque from turning into calculus, which involves:

• Proper brushing: Brush at least twice a day, for at least two minutes at a time (30 seconds for each surface, the top front, top back, bottom front, and bottom back). Use circular motions and approach the teeth at a 45-degree angle, brushing gently along the gumline. Replace toothbrushes every two to three months; electric toothbrushes are particularly effective.
• Daily flossing: Once a day, floss between the teeth, removing any lodged food particles. Some people opt for pre-threaded flossers or water flossers.
• Healthy habits: Smoking or using smokeless tobacco can seriously impact oral health, so consider quitting. Alcohol also can affect gum health and should be used in moderation, if at all.
• Regular checkups: It’s recommended you get in-office dental cleanings at least once or twice a year. If you have periodontal disease, you may require more frequent visits. The dentist will also be able to assess for any cavities or other issues forming.

Summary

A calculus bridge is an overgrowth of dental calculus, or tartar, across multiple teeth. Plaque in the mouth, if not removed, can form into a thicker, darker substance on the teeth and along the gumline. Excessive calculus in the mouth causes gum disease, tooth decay, chronic bad breath, or halitosis.

Dental procedures, such as scaling and root planing, can remove the calculus. Along with regular checkups, good oral hygiene prevents calculus bridges from forming.  

A Word From Verywell

Not only can a calculus bridge be unsightly and make you self-conscious, but it can also significantly impact the health of your teeth. Maintaining brushing, flossing, and other positive oral hygiene habits is essential. If you’re seeing buildups of tartar in your mouth, call your dental provider. The sooner you take care of your dental problem, the healthier you’ll be.