Dental tartar, also known as calculus, is hardened dental plaque that adheres firmly to the surfaces of teeth and along the gumline. Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria and food debris. When plaque is not removed through daily hygiene, it combines with minerals in saliva. This mineralization creates a rough, porous deposit that requires professional attention to remove.
Why Hardened Tartar Cannot Be Softened
Existing, calcified tartar cannot be softened or dissolved using at-home treatments like brushing, flossing, mouthwash, or home remedies such as vinegar or baking soda. The reason lies in its rigid chemical structure, which is more akin to concrete than a soft film. Tartar is primarily composed of inorganic mineral salts, including calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, and magnesium phosphate. These deposits form when minerals from saliva precipitate into the plaque biofilm, creating a highly durable crystalline matrix physically bonded to the tooth surfaces. Once mineralization occurs, the deposits are impervious to chemical dissolution. Only specialized tools used by a dental professional can safely break this bond and remove the deposit.
Actionable Steps for Plaque Control
While existing tartar requires professional removal, the progression of new tartar formation can be significantly slowed and prevented by consistently controlling its precursor, plaque. The foundation of this control involves meticulous daily mechanical cleaning, specifically focusing on technique and consistency. Brushing at least twice daily for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush is necessary to physically disrupt the sticky bacterial film before it has a chance to mineralize.
It is important to use interdental cleaners, such as floss or tiny brushes, once a day to remove plaque from between the teeth and just beneath the gumline. These areas are inaccessible to toothbrush bristles and are common sites for initial calculus development. The proper technique involves gently guiding the floss between the teeth and curving it into a “C” shape against each tooth surface, sliding it toward the gumline.
Selecting a toothpaste formulated with anti-calculus agents can provide a chemical advantage against mineralization. Ingredients like pyrophosphates and sodium hexametaphosphate work by binding to calcium and phosphate ions in the mouth. This action inhibits the crystallization process that turns soft plaque into hard tartar. Zinc citrate is another effective ingredient that functions by inhibiting the growth of the plaque bacteria itself.
Beyond mechanical and chemical aids, dietary habits play a significant part in plaque control. Plaque bacteria thrive on sugars and starches, producing acids that contribute to the formation of the biofilm. Reducing the frequency of consuming sugary drinks and starchy snacks limits the food source for these bacteria, thereby reducing the volume of plaque created.
Professional Removal Procedures
For any existing hardened tartar, physical removal by a dental professional is the only safe and effective treatment option. This procedure is referred to as scaling, where a dental hygienist or dentist uses specialized instruments to scrape the calculus off the tooth surface. The tools used include manual hand scalers and ultrasonic devices that utilize high-frequency vibrations to break apart the deposits.
Scaling is performed both above the gumline (supragingival) and below the gumline (subgingival), where tartar can lead to gum disease. If deposits extend beneath the gumline, a deeper cleaning known as root planing may be necessary to smooth the tooth roots. Smoothing the root surfaces makes it more difficult for bacteria and new calculus to adhere, promoting the reattachment of gum tissue. Regular professional cleanings, typically scheduled every six months, are necessary for maintaining oral health and preventing complications associated with persistent calculus deposits.