How can I dissolve calcium deposits? A comprehensive guide to medical and natural options

September 28, 2025 •

4 min read

Calcification can impact anyone, with studies showing that coronary calcification affects a significant portion of the aging population. Understanding the options available is the first step toward finding relief. This guide explains how can I dissolve calcium deposits, covering various types of calcification and their targeted treatments.

Quick Summary

The ability to dissolve calcium deposits depends on their location and cause, requiring a tailored approach that may involve medical procedures, medication, dietary changes, or home remedies, especially with guidance from a healthcare provider. Different types of calcification, such as kidney stones or calcific tendonitis, have specific treatment paths.

Key Points

Targeted Treatment: The method for dissolving calcium deposits varies significantly based on their location, such as in arteries, kidneys, or joints.
Medical Procedures: Medical options include shockwave therapy, percutaneous needling, and surgery for stubborn deposits in tendons or joints.
Kidney Stones: These can be managed with increased fluid intake, citrate-rich juices, specific medications, or medical procedures like lithotripsy.
Lifestyle and Diet: Dietary changes, including proper hydration and balancing calcium with magnesium, can help prevent and manage some forms of calcification.
Professional Care is Essential: Hardened deposits in the body, like tartar on teeth, cannot be removed at home and require professional medical or dental attention.
Prevention Focus: For deposits like arterial calcification, the focus is often on preventing further buildup by managing underlying health conditions and lifestyle.

Understanding Calcium Deposits

Calcium deposits, or calcifications, occur when excess calcium builds up and hardens in soft tissues, organs, or blood vessels, disrupting normal function. This can happen for various reasons, including tissue damage, inflammation, aging, genetic factors, or underlying conditions like autoimmune disorders or chronic kidney disease. The location of the calcification dictates the appropriate course of action, as a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective.

Types of Calcification

Calcium deposits can manifest in several areas of the body, each with distinct causes and treatment strategies:

Joints and Tendons (Calcific Tendonitis): Often occurring in the shoulder's rotator cuff, these deposits can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
Kidneys (Nephrocalcinosis): The most common type of kidney stones, these are formed from high levels of calcium, oxalate, or phosphate in the urine.
Arteries (Coronary Artery Calcification): A predictor of cardiovascular disease, this type involves calcium buildup in the heart's arteries, causing them to stiffen.
Skin (Calcinosis Cutis): Firm, whitish or yellowish bumps form under the skin, which may be linked to systemic diseases or injury.
Teeth (Tartar or Calculus): Hardened plaque on teeth, known as tartar, is made of calcium phosphates and can lead to periodontal disease.

Medical and Clinical Procedures

For many types of calcium deposits, especially those causing significant pain or health risks, medical intervention is necessary. These procedures are typically performed by specialists and should never be attempted at home.

Treatments for Calcific Tendonitis

Medical professionals have several tools to address calcium deposits in tendons, particularly in the shoulder:

Corticosteroid Injections: Injecting steroids into the affected joint can reduce inflammation and pain.
Percutaneous Needling: Guided by an ultrasound, a doctor uses fine needles to break up and aspirate the calcium deposits. The body may then absorb the remaining fragments.
Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): A device delivers mechanical shocks or sound waves to the deposit, breaking it up into smaller particles that the body can clear.
Arthroscopic Surgery: For stubborn or severe cases, a surgeon uses a small camera and instruments to physically remove the deposit through a tiny incision.

Treatments for Kidney Stones

If you have kidney stones, especially larger ones, a urologist may recommend one of the following treatments:

Medications: Thiazide diuretics may be prescribed to lower calcium levels in the urine for some stone types. Potassium citrate can also help increase urine pH.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL): A non-invasive procedure using shock waves to break large stones into smaller pieces that can be passed more easily.
Ureteroscopy: A thin, lighted tube with a camera is passed through the urinary tract to locate and either remove the stone or break it up with a laser.

Addressing Arterial Calcification

While the calcification itself is not directly removed, treatment focuses on managing the underlying risk factors for cardiovascular disease:

Lifestyle Changes: A heart-healthy diet low in cholesterol, salt, and fat, combined with regular exercise, can help slow the progression of plaque buildup.
Medication Management: Doctors may prescribe medications to manage conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, which contribute to arterial plaque.
Vitamin K2: Some studies suggest that Vitamin K2 may help transport calcium from arteries to bones, though this should be discussed with a doctor.

Natural Remedies and Prevention

Certain natural approaches and dietary adjustments can help manage specific types of calcification and support overall health. Always consult a healthcare provider before attempting to self-treat, as these methods are not guaranteed to dissolve existing deposits.

Dietary and Supplement Strategies

Hydration: Drinking plenty of water is crucial for flushing out the minerals that can form kidney stones.
Lemon Juice and Citrate: Citrate, found in lemon and orange juice, can help inhibit kidney stone formation and break down calcium deposits.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Citric acid in apple cider vinegar is also sometimes suggested for kidney stones, but more research is needed.
Magnesium: Increasing magnesium intake can help balance out excess calcium and may lower overall levels.
Phytic Acid (IP-6): Found in nuts and seeds, phytic acid may help pull calcium from arteries.

Prevention Through Lifestyle and Hygiene

Dental Hygiene: For calcium buildup on teeth (tartar), prevention is key. Regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings are the only way to remove hardened deposits.
Addressing Underlying Conditions: Managing systemic issues like autoimmune disorders or hyperparathyroidism can prevent metastatic calcification.

Comparison of Treatment Methods


Location of Deposit	Natural/At-Home Methods	Medical/In-Clinic Treatments	Prevention Strategies
Kidneys	High fluid intake, lemon juice	ESWL, Ureteroscopy, Medication	Hydration, balanced diet, managing underlying issues
Joints & Tendons	Rest, physical therapy, NSAIDs	Percutaneous needling, shockwave therapy, surgery	Managing repetitive joint stress, exercise
Arteries	Heart-healthy diet, certain vitamins (K2, D3)	Addressing underlying cardiovascular risks	Diet, exercise, quit smoking, manage weight
Skin	Managing underlying causes	Medications (e.g., calcium channel blockers), surgery, lasers	Avoiding trauma, managing systemic conditions
Teeth	Brushing, flossing	Professional dental scaling and polishing	Daily dental hygiene, regular cleanings

Conclusion

Successfully dissolving calcium deposits is highly dependent on their location and cause. While some deposits, like tartar on teeth or mineral scale in plumbing fixtures, can be physically removed or dissolved with acids, calcification within the body requires a much more nuanced approach. Medical treatments range from non-invasive shockwave therapy and percutaneous needling to surgical removal, depending on the severity and location. For certain deposits, such as those in arteries, the focus is on managing underlying conditions rather than dissolving the calcification directly. Natural remedies and lifestyle changes, particularly diet and hydration, can play a supportive role, especially in the prevention of new deposits. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan before attempting any remedy. For more information on calcification and its various forms, consult authoritative health resources, such as the Cleveland Clinic's comprehensive guide to calcium deposits.

Frequently Asked Questions

While supplements like vitamin K2 and magnesium are sometimes suggested to help balance calcium levels and prevent further buildup, they are not proven to dissolve existing calcification. Always consult a doctor before starting any supplement regimen for calcium deposits.

Dissolving calcium deposits in joints, such as those causing calcific tendonitis, typically requires medical procedures. Options include steroid injections to reduce inflammation, shockwave therapy to break up deposits, or percutaneous needling under ultrasound guidance.

Yes, lemon juice is rich in citrate, which is a natural inhibitor of kidney stones. Increasing your intake of pure, sugar-free lemon juice or other citrus juices can help break down calcium deposits and prevent their growth.

Currently, there is no direct way to dissolve existing arterial calcium deposits. Treatment focuses on managing underlying conditions and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, through diet, exercise, and medication.

You cannot remove tartar at home with regular brushing. Once plaque hardens into tartar, it requires a professional dental cleaning, or scaling, by a dentist or hygienist. Consistent daily brushing and flossing can help prevent future buildup.

Prevention depends on the type of deposit. For kidney stones, drink plenty of fluids. For arterial issues, focus on a heart-healthy lifestyle. For tendons, manage joint stress. Good oral hygiene prevents tartar. Managing underlying health issues is key for widespread calcification.

Symptoms vary by location. Deposits in joints can cause pain and stiffness. Kidney stones lead to severe back or side pain, nausea, and blood in the urine. Skin calcification appears as firm, white or yellow bumps. Arterial deposits are often asymptomatic but can indicate heart disease risk.