Dental tartar, also known as calculus, is a hard, porous deposit that forms on teeth. It develops when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria and food particles, remains on tooth surfaces and absorbs minerals from saliva. This calcification creates a rough surface, attracting more plaque and posing a concern for oral health.
Can Tartar Naturally Detach?
Large pieces of dental tartar rarely detach naturally from teeth. Tartar bonds firmly to tooth enamel and root surfaces. While a tiny, brittle chip might come off during biting or vigorous brushing, this is usually an insignificant fragment.
What people perceive as a larger piece of tartar breaking off often signals underlying issues. Extensive tartar buildup can lead to gum inflammation and recession, potentially loosening large pieces of subgingival tartar. This detachment is not a healthy, natural occurrence and indicates advanced dental concerns.
What Happens If Tartar Comes Off?
If a piece of tartar detaches, especially a larger one, it often signals significant underlying dental conditions. This event can expose the tooth surface, potentially leading to increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet stimuli. The newly exposed area might also feel rough or uneven to the tongue.
Sometimes, a gap might become noticeable, particularly if the calculus was extensive or contributed to gum recession. The detachment of tartar does not resolve the underlying issue of bacterial presence or gum disease. Instead, it indicates professional dental assessment and thorough cleaning are necessary to address remaining deposits and any associated gum or tooth damage.
Professional Tartar Removal
Professional dental cleaning, known as scaling, remains the only effective and safe method for removing tartar. Dentists and dental hygienists use specialized instruments to dislodge and remove these hardened deposits without harming the tooth enamel or gum tissues. Ultrasonic scalers are commonly used, employing high-frequency vibrations to break down tartar, while a water spray simultaneously flushes away the debris.
Hand instruments, such as curettes and sickles, are then used to meticulously scrape away any remaining calculus from tooth surfaces, both above and below the gumline. Regular professional cleanings are important for oral health and preventing gum disease, as they ensure complete and safe tartar removal that cannot be eliminated by at-home brushing and flossing.
Preventing Tartar Accumulation
Preventing tartar accumulation begins with consistent and effective daily oral hygiene practices. Brushing teeth twice daily for at least two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste helps to remove plaque before it hardens into tartar. Daily flossing is equally important for cleaning between teeth and along the gumline, areas where toothbrushes cannot reach effectively.
Using an antiseptic mouthwash can also help reduce the bacterial load in the mouth, further inhibiting plaque formation. Limiting sugary and starchy foods and beverages can also reduce food sources for plaque-forming bacteria. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings, typically every six months, are necessary to remove any formed tartar and maintain optimal oral health.