Your mouth naturally contains bacteria, which will spread across your teeth throughout your day. When this happens, bacteria create a film known as plaque that can feel gritty or fuzzy on the teeth.
Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that forms on teeth from bacteria, saliva, and food particles. Plaque forms from bacteria, saliva, and food particles that accumulate on the tooth surface.
Plaque will allow oral bacteria to eat away at your dental structure, making the teeth weaker and therefore more prone to cavities. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars from food and drink, producing acids that contribute to plaque formation.
You can also face a higher risk of oral infections like gum disease with lingering plaque on your teeth.
You remove plaque when you brush your teeth and floss every day. But if plaque does not scrub away in a timely fashion, it can harden into a substance known as tartar. Tartar forms when plaque is left untreated and hardens into mineral buildup, resulting in hardened deposits that require professional cleaning.
Tartar will stick to your teeth and will not go away with your usual at-home oral hygiene methods. Yet it will still pose the same threat to your oral health. Instead, plaque must be removed by your dentist.
Learn more about tartar and how it can affect your smile when you read responses from your dentist to frequently asked questions.
How Does Plaque Become Tartar?
Plaque consistently collects on your teeth, and particles from the foods you consume throughout the day can contribute to the formation of this sticky film. Plaque buildup may be hereditary and forms when bacteria feed on sugar and starch from food. If not removed, plaque buildup occurs over time, increasing the risk of dental issues. You brush your teeth to get rid of plaque in the mornings and in the evenings.
Plaque can harden into tartar if it remains on your smile for 24 to 72 hours. Some underlying factors, like dry mouth, might make plaque become tartar at a faster rate. Tartar typically appears yellow, brown, gray, or black in color due to staining from food and beverages. Discuss your risk of tartar formation with your dentist for optimal preventive care. Unlike plaque, tartar is more visible and easier to detect above the gumline.
What Makes Tartar Dangerous for Your Smile?
Tartar poses a threat to your oral health because it spreads and breeds oral bacteria just like plaque. Then bacteria can erode your dental structure, cause tooth decay, irritate the gum tissue, and give you an oral infection.
All of these issues can lead to pain or discomfort as well as irreversible harm to your smile. Tartar buildup can also cause unpleasant odor due to bacteria and debris trapped around your teeth and gums. And it can these concerns are even more likely because hard tartar can make completing your oral hygiene routine more difficult. Black tartar, which appears as dark or black staining on the root surfaces of teeth, is often associated with periodontal disease and can be especially difficult to remove. So make sure you get rid of this calcified material on your teeth as soon as possible. Advanced tartar buildup can eventually lead to bone loss around the teeth, making early treatment essential.
Does tartar cause tooth decay?
Yes, tartar can contribute to tooth decay. Here’s how the process works:
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Plaque formation: Bacteria in your mouth mix with food and drink to form a sticky film called plaque.
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Acid production: The bacteria in plaque feed on sugars and starches and produce acids. Sugary foods provide fuel for these bacteria, increasing acid production. These acids attack your tooth enamel, the hard outer layer that protects your teeth.
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Plaque hardens into tartar: If plaque is not removed through daily brushing and flossing, it can harden into a tough, calcified substance called tartar (or dental calculus).
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Tartar provides a hiding place for bacteria: Tartar creates a rough surface that traps more plaque and bacteria, making it much harder to clean your teeth. The acids from the bacteria continue to eat away at your enamel, leading to tiny holes or openings, which are the first stage of a cavity.
In essence, tartar acts as a shield for the acid-producing bacteria, accelerating the process of tooth decay. Tartar buildup increases the risk of both cavities and gum disease, making prevention and early treatment essential for maintaining oral health.
How long does it take for plaque to harden?
Plaque can begin to harden into tartar in as little as 24 to 72 hours if it’s not removed. This is why consistent daily brushing and flossing are crucial for preventing tartar buildup. Once tartar has formed, it is so strongly bonded to your teeth that you cannot remove it with a regular toothbrush—it must be removed by a dental professional. Attempting tartar breaking at home is not recommended, as it can damage your teeth and gums. Professional tartar removal is the safest and most effective way to address hardened deposits and maintain your oral health.
How Do I Get Rid of Tartar?
Once plaque hardens to tartar, you cannot scrub it away with your usual brushing and flossing routines. You will need to attend a professional dental cleaning at your dentist’s office.
During this appointment, the dentist will use a scaler to scrape away tartar that collects on your smile. This precise dental attention will make your mouth feel fresh, clean, and radiant once again. Regular tartar removal is essential for maintaining good dental health and preventing more serious oral issues. But if tartar causes other dental problems, you may need further treatment from your dentist to restore your smile. If tartar buildup has led to periodontal issues, gum disease treatment may be necessary to address bone loss and protect your oral health.
Removing plaque daily through proper brushing and flossing is crucial to prevent tartar formation and reduce the need for professional intervention.
Does it hurt to get rid of tartar?
The process of removing tartar, known as a dental cleaning, may cause some discomfort, but it is not typically painful. The level of discomfort you experience depends on several factors, including:
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Amount of tartar buildup: If you have a large amount of tartar, the cleaning may take longer and require more effort to remove, which could lead to some discomfort.
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Use of tobacco products: Smoking or using smokeless tobacco products can increase tartar buildup and cause staining, making the cleaning process more challenging and potentially more uncomfortable.
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Tooth and gum sensitivity: Individuals with sensitive teeth or inflamed gums (due to gingivitis or periodontitis) may experience more discomfort during the procedure.
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Your pain tolerance: Everyone’s pain threshold is different.
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Type of tools used: Dentists often use an ultrasonic scaler, which uses vibrations to break up tartar and is generally considered gentler than manual tools.
In cases of severe buildup or high sensitivity, your dentist can offer a local anesthetic to numb the area and ensure a pain-free experience. Any mild discomfort or gum sensitivity you feel after the cleaning is usually temporary and subsides within a day or two.
Can I Prevent Tartar Formation?
You can prevent tartar formation by making sure you clear away plaque in a timely fashion. Adhere to a thorough and consistent oral hygiene regimen at home, and make sure you attend regular dental cleanings to ensure all plaque is removed from your smile. Chewing sugar-free gum increases saliva flow and helps wash away food debris when brushing isn’t possible. Using baking soda as part of your routine can be a natural way to help remove tartar and neutralize harmful acids.
Your dentist can let you know during a check-up if you have underlying conditions, such as aggressive oral bacteria, that may increase your risk of forming tartar. Book a dental appointment today to prioritize your preventive dental care. Work with your dentist to establish a cleaning schedule tailored to your individual needs.
Professional cleanings are essential to prevent plaque buildup and tartar formation.
Importance of Regular Dental Visits
Regular dental visits are one of the most important steps you can take to prevent tartar buildup and protect your teeth and gums from oral health issues. The American Dental Association recommends routine dental cleanings every six months, as these appointments allow your dental hygienist to remove plaque and tartar that daily brushing and flossing can’t reach.
During a professional dental cleaning, special instruments are used to remove tartar buildup both above and below the gum line, helping to prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health problems.
In addition to professional dental cleanings, your dentist can provide personalized advice on how to prevent tartar buildup at home. This might include switching to a tartar control toothpaste, using a soft-bristled toothbrush, and limiting sugary and starchy foods that feed the bacteria responsible for plaque and tartar buildup.
Your dental team can also demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques to help you remove plaque more effectively and reduce your risk of swollen gums, bad breath, and other oral health issues.
Remember, only a dentist can remove tartar buildup once it has formed.