Dental plaque and tartar are often confused, though they are intimately related and represent different stages of the same process. Understanding the difference between these two forms of dental buildup is fundamental to maintaining comprehensive oral health. Their removal and management require completely different approaches.
Defining Dental Plaque
Dental plaque is a colorless, soft, and sticky film that constantly forms on the surface of the teeth. This film is a complex bacterial community, or biofilm, which develops when oral bacteria combine with food particles and components found in saliva. Plaque is approximately 70% bacteria, which feed on dietary sugars and carbohydrates. This process produces acids that attack tooth enamel, initiating decay and irritating gum tissue. Because plaque is soft, it is effectively removed through the daily mechanical action of proper brushing and flossing.
Understanding Dental Tartar
Tartar, formally known as dental calculus, is the hardened, mineralized form of plaque that remains on the tooth surface. Unlike soft plaque, tartar is a porous, rough substance that typically appears yellow or brown and is easily visible above the gum line. It is primarily composed of dead bacteria and mineral deposits, such as calcium phosphate and magnesium phosphate, which are naturally present in saliva. Tartar bonds firmly to the tooth enamel, making removal impossible with routine at-home cleaning methods. The rough texture of calculus provides an ideal surface for fresh plaque to accumulate, accelerating further buildup.
The Path from Plaque to Tartar
The transformation of soft plaque into hard dental calculus is a chemical process called mineralization, directly linking the two substances. If plaque is not removed within a relatively short period, minerals dissolved in saliva begin to deposit into the plaque’s structure. These mineral ions, particularly calcium and phosphate, precipitate within the biofilm’s organic matrix. This calcification turns the soft plaque into a hard, cement-like deposit bonded to the tooth. Initial hardening can begin within 24 to 72 hours, and complete mineralization typically occurs over 10 to 14 days.
Removal and Professional Care
The distinction between plaque and tartar is most practically observed in their required methods of removal. Plaque control relies on consistent daily hygiene practices, such as brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, to mechanically disrupt the soft bacterial film and prevent mineralization. Once plaque transitions into tartar, it cannot be removed by a toothbrush, floss, or any other home-care product. The strong bond of dental calculus requires professional intervention from a dental hygienist or dentist. Specialized instruments, such as ultrasonic scalers and handheld curettes, are used to carefully scrape the hard deposits away during a professional cleaning procedure called scaling.