If you’ve noticed a hard, yellowish, or even brownish substance forming on your teeth, you’re not alone. That unsightly buildup is called dental calculus, more commonly known as tartar, and it’s something we all need to manage if we want a healthy smile. But what exactly is tartar, how does it affect your teeth, and most importantly—how can you control it?
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about dental calculus (tartar) and how to keep it at bay.
What Is Plaque?
Before we talk about tartar, we need to understand dental plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colourless film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth and gums. Every time you eat or drink something (especially sugary foods), the bacteria in plaque produce acids. These acids can erode your tooth enamel, leading to cavities and, if not treated, can affect your gums, causing gingivitis (gum inflammation).
What Is Tartar?
Tartar, or dental calculus, is hardened plaque. When plaque isn’t removed through regular brushing and flossing, it hardens on your teeth, typically around the gumline. This mineralization process can happen within a matter of days! Once tartar forms, it creates a rough surface that attracts even more plaque, making the situation worse. And unlike plaque, which you can remove at home, tartar needs professional dental care for removal.
What Does Tartar Look Like?
Tartar can be yellow or brown, and in some cases, it can even take on a black hue if it absorbs stains from coffee, tea, or tobacco. It’s usually found near the gumline or between your teeth, but it can also form underneath the gums.
Plaque vs. Tartar: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Plaque | Tartar |
| Definition | A soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums. | Hardened form of plaque that can only be removed by a dentist. |
| Texture | Soft and sticky | Hard and rough |
| Color | Colorless or pale yellow | Yellow, brown, or black (if stained) |
| Formation Time | Forms within hours after eating or drinking | Takes a few days to a couple of weeks to harden from plaque. |
| Removal | Can be removed by regular brushing and flossing. | Requires professional dental cleaning to remove. |
| Health Impact | Can lead to cavities and gum disease if not removed. | Increases the risk of gum disease, cavities, and tooth loss if not treated. |
| Prevention | Regular brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. | Prevented by controlling plaque buildup through good oral hygiene. |
Simply put, plaque is the soft, sticky substance that forms on your teeth every day, while tartar is the hardened version of plaque that can only be removed by a dentist. Plaque leads to tartar when it’s not properly removed, so the key to preventing tartar is controlling plaque buildup.
How Does Tartar Affect Your Teeth and Gums?
Tartar can pose significant risks to your oral health. Since tartar provides a rough surface for plaque to cling to, it can lead to more cavities and even gum disease. If left untreated, tartar can irritate and inflame your gums, which can eventually lead to periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease that can cause tooth loss.
Tips to Help Control Tartar
While you can’t remove tartar yourself, you can certainly prevent it.
Here are some key strategies:
1. Electric Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes are great for removing plaque before it hardens into tartar. Their oscillating bristles can help you reach areas that might be hard to clean with a manual toothbrush.
2. Flossing and Rinsing
Flossing is critical because it removes plaque from between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. Using an antiseptic mouthwash can also help kill the bacteria that cause plaque.
3. Diet
Your diet plays a role in plaque buildup. Try to limit sugary and starchy foods that feed plaque-causing bacteria. Drinking ample water throughout the day helps flush out food particles and bacteria.
4. Smoking
If you need another reason to quit smoking, here’s one: smokers tend to have more tartar buildup than non-smokers. Tobacco also stains tartar, making it more noticeable.
How to Remove Tartar from Teeth
Once tartar develops, only a dental professional can remove it. During your routine cleaning, your dentist or hygienist will use special tools to remove tartar from your teeth and gums.
How to Remove Tartar Without a Dentist
Though you can’t completely remove tartar on your own, good oral hygiene habits can help prevent it from forming in the first place. Regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing are key. Some tartar-control toothpaste contains pyrophosphates, which can help break down plaque before it hardens.
Best Toothpaste for Tartar Removal
Look for a tartar control toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to plaque and tartar buildup.
Symptoms and Causes of Tartar
Tartar buildup often leads to:
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Gum irritation or bleeding
- Yellow or brown staining on teeth
- Receding gums if the tartar goes below the gumline
Diagnosis and Treatment
Your dentist can diagnose tartar simply by examining your teeth and gums. They’ll use dental instruments to check for hardened buildup and may also use X-rays to see if tartar is affecting the bone around your teeth.
How Do You Treat Tartar?
Tartar is treated with dental cleanings, where your dentist or hygienist uses special tools to scale the tartar off your teeth.
Gum Disease Treatments
If tartar has caused gum disease, more advanced treatments like deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) may be necessary to clean below the gumline and allow your gums to heal.
Prevention: How to Prevent Tartar Buildup
Here’s the good news—tartar can be prevented with proper oral hygiene:
- Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss every day to eliminate plaque from between your teeth.
- Use an antiseptic mouthwash.
- See your dentist regularly for cleanings.
Outlook and Prognosis
If you don’t remove tartar, it will continue to accumulate, leading to gum disease, cavities, and potentially tooth loss. Regular dental visits are crucial to prevent these complications.
Living With Tartar
To keep your teeth tartar-free, make sure you’re scheduling regular cleanings—usually every 6 months, though your dentist may recommend more frequent visits if you’re prone to buildup.
Takeaways
Knowing the difference between plaque and tartar is essential for maintaining optimal oral health. While tartar can’t be removed at home, consistent oral hygiene and routine dental visits can help you prevent the need for more intensive treatments.
At Richmond & Springvale Dental Group, we’re committed to helping you achieve a brighter, healthier smile. Regular checkups and professional cleanings are essential for preventing tartar and avoiding more serious dental problems.
Schedule your appointment today and let our expert team take care of your oral health. Keep your teeth clean, and don’t let tartar stand in the way of a healthy, confident smile!
Frequently Asked Questions About Tartar (FAQs)
Can a Waterpik Remove Tartar?
A Waterpik or water flosser is great for removing food particles and plaque from between your teeth, but it won’t remove hardened tartar. Still, it’s a great tool to help prevent tartar buildup.
Can Tooth Tartar Break Off?
Yes, in some cases, pieces of tartar can break off. While this may seem like a good thing, it doesn’t mean the underlying problem is solved. Tartar buildup below the gumline still poses a risk to your oral health.
Does Hydrogen Peroxide Dissolve Tartar?
Hydrogen peroxide can help kill bacteria in your mouth, but it won’t dissolve tartar. However, it may help in softening hardened plaque slightly, making it easier for your dentist to remove.
Is Tartar Removal Painful?
Tartar removal, or scaling, is typically not painful. You may feel a little discomfort depending on how much tartar has built up, but most people only feel slight pressure or scraping during the process.
What Is Tartar Made Of?
Tartar is primarily made up of calcium phosphate, which is a compound found naturally in saliva. It also contains dead bacteria, food debris, and other substances that contribute to its hard, calcified structure.
