Máy lấy cao răng tại nhà: có nên dùng và dùng thế nào cho an toàn?

Many people shop for an at-home tartar remover hoping to scrape off tartar themselves and skip the dental chair. Handheld ultrasonic devices for home use — which the Inmax website lists as tooth cleaners — can help with some tasks, but they cannot do a dentist's job. This article explains where that line is, the risks of misuse and how to use one safely if you decide to buy.

Plaque vs tartar: what is the difference

• Plaque is a soft, sticky film full of bacteria. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), plaque that is not removed can harden into tartar (calculus), making teeth harder to keep clean; when tartar collects at the gum line, gums can become swollen and bleed easily. MouthHealthy – ADA
• Vietnam's Vinmec International Hospital notes that once plaque has hardened into tartar, brushing can no longer remove it. Vinmec (Vietnamese)
• Vinmec also distinguishes tartar above the gums (pale yellow to brown, visible) from tartar below the gums (dark, very hard and difficult to see).

In short: you can clean soft plaque every day; hardened tartar, especially below the gum line, needs a dentist.

Why only a dentist can remove tartar below the gums

• Tartar can form anywhere inside the gum pocket. Dentists run a probe along the root surface below the gums to find and remove it (Tam Anh General Hospital, Vietnamese).
• Looking in a mirror, you cannot see below the gum line, so you cannot tell whether that area is clean.
• In severe gum disease, tartar removal is only part of treatment: Tam Anh describes a patient with grade 4 tartar who had ultrasonic scaling combined with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicine and follow-up visits. Tam Anh (Vietnamese)

What dentists say about an at-home tartar remover

• In Vietnam: Dr Nguyen Thi Chau Ban (Odonto-Stomatology, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City) advises patients not to scale their own teeth at home with machines or hand tools, because the procedure must be indicated by a doctor and done with specialised instruments. Tam Anh (Vietnamese)
• Another Tam Anh article gives three reasons: it is easy to damage teeth, gums and jawbone; home tools struggle to remove tartar effectively; and poor technique can cause infection. Tam Anh (Vietnamese)
• In the UK: the product review site Expert Reviews (updated 2024) interviewed two dentists. One said plainly: “Dentists do not recommend using ultrasonic tooth cleaners at home.” Expert Reviews

To be clear, these are expert opinions. We did not find any independent clinical trial that specifically evaluates handheld ultrasonic cleaners for home use.

Risks of using one the wrong way

The oral health pages of Colgate and the sources above list these risks:

• Scratched enamel, leading to sensitivity.
• Gum injury, which over time can cause recession and exposed roots.
• Pushing tartar deeper below the gum line, which can lead to a gum abscess.
• Cuts to the cheeks, tongue and other soft tissue.
• Loosened dental work: vibration may loosen crowns, veneers and bridges (Expert Reviews).
• Infection if the tool is not disinfected properly (Tam Anh).

What a home tooth cleaner is suitable for

Used correctly and within its limits, a handheld ultrasonic tooth cleaner can be a supporting tool for:

• Cleaning soft plaque and surface stains on tooth surfaces you can see clearly.
• Keeping teeth cleaner between dental visits.

It does not replace regular professional tartar removal. Tam Anh says many dentists recommend a cleaning every 6 months, and people with gum disease or higher risk may need one every 3–4 months as advised. Vinmec likewise recommends booking a tartar removal every 6 months. Nor does it replace brushing twice a day and cleaning between teeth with floss or a water flosser.

How to use it safely if you decide to

1. See a dentist and have a professional cleaning first; ask whether your teeth and gums are suitable for a home device.
2. Read the included instructions carefully; use only the manufacturer's tips and tighten them with the supplied wrench.
3. Always start on the lowest level; go up only if it feels comfortable.
4. Glide the tip lightly over the tooth surface; do not press hard or stay in one spot.
5. Never poke the tip into the gums or slide it under the gum line.
6. Use the dental mirror to see clearly; skip any area you cannot see.
7. Stop at once if you feel pain, bleed or have lasting sensitivity, and see a dentist.
8. Clean the tip after every use; each person should use their own tip.

Who should not use one

• People with gingivitis or periodontitis, swollen or bleeding gums, or loose teeth: get dental treatment first.
• People with crowns, veneers, bridges or other dental work: do not use the device on restorations, and ask your dentist first.
• People with a pacemaker (according to Expert Reviews).
• People with receding gums or sensitive teeth: it may feel uncomfortable, so check with your dentist.
• Children should not use one on their own.

Inmax tooth cleaners: M191 and M191Pro

Many people call this type of device a tartar remover, but on the Inmax website it is listed as a tooth cleaner, because it is meant to clean plaque, not to replace professional scaling.

• M191: 36 kHz ultrasonic, white body, 4 levels (Gentle/Normal/Medium/Strong), 1,200 mAh battery with USB-C charging, 1 W; comes with 3 scaler tips, a wrench for changing tips and a dental mirror.
• M191Pro: the same 36 kHz frequency and accessories as the M191, metallic navy body, 142 g (the white version weighs 134 g).

Browse the tooth cleaner range, compare specifications or contact Inmax for advice. Resellers can see our dealer policy.

Frequently asked questions

Can an at-home tartar remover fully remove tartar?

It cannot replace a dentist. Hardened tartar is firmly attached, and the part below the gums cannot be seen in a mirror. A home device should only be used to help clean surface plaque.

Do I still need professional cleanings if I use one?

Yes. Keep up regular check-ups and tartar removal, usually every 6 months, or more often if your dentist advises.

Can an ultrasonic cleaner damage enamel?

Used wrongly — pressing hard or holding it in one spot — it can scratch enamel and cause sensitivity. Use a gentle level, a light touch, and stop if it feels uncomfortable.

Can a water flosser remove tartar?

No. A water flosser helps remove soft plaque and food between teeth, which helps limit tartar build-up, but it cannot remove tartar that has already hardened.

This article is for general information only, compiled from the sources linked above; it does not replace diagnosis or advice from a dentist.