Whether dental floss can remove tartar depends on the difference between the deposits that build up on tooth surfaces. A regular home care routine is the primary method for preventing oral health issues, but these tools have limitations. Daily brushing and flossing manage the soft, sticky bacterial films that constantly form. When neglected, these deposits change structure, requiring professional intervention.
Understanding Plaque and Tartar
Plaque is a soft, colorless, or pale yellow biofilm that continuously forms on the teeth, gums, and tongue. This substance is a sticky matrix primarily composed of bacteria, food particles, and saliva. Oral bacteria feed on sugars and starches, producing acids that erode tooth enamel and lead to decay. If left undisturbed, plaque can trigger inflammation in the gum tissue, which is the initial stage of gum disease known as gingivitis.
If soft plaque is not removed within twenty-four to seventy-two hours, it begins to harden. This hardening process, called mineralization, occurs when plaque absorbs calcium and phosphate minerals from the saliva. The result is tartar, also known as dental calculus, a rougher and porous deposit. Tartar is firmly bonded to the tooth enamel and can appear yellow, brown, or greenish.
The Mechanical Limits of Flossing
Flossing is an extremely effective tool for removing soft plaque and food debris from tight spaces that a toothbrush cannot reach. The flexible, non-abrasive material of the floss is designed to scrape the sticky biofilm from the surfaces between teeth and just below the gum line. Daily flossing effectively disrupts the bacterial colonies before they can begin the mineralization process.
However, flossing is mechanically ineffective against the hardened structure of tartar. Tartar is chemically bonded to the tooth surface, creating a deposit similar in hardness to cement. The soft material of dental floss cannot break this bond or chip away the calcified deposit. Once plaque transforms into calculus, it creates a rough surface that attracts even more soft plaque, accelerating buildup.
Professional Treatment for Hardened Deposits
Since home care tools cannot remove mineralized tartar, its removal requires specialized dental instruments operated by a dentist or hygienist. The standard procedure for tartar removal is known as scaling. This process uses tools specifically designed to safely chip away the calcified deposits without damaging the tooth enamel.
One common tool is the ultrasonic scaler, which uses high-frequency vibrations to fracture the tartar from the tooth surface. This device simultaneously sprays water to cool the tip and flush away the dislodged debris. After the bulk of calculus is removed, manual instruments, such as hand scalers and curettes, meticulously scrape off any remaining deposits, particularly from below the gum line. Regular professional cleanings are necessary to eliminate these deposits that harbor bacteria and contribute to gum disease.