The question of whether flossing removes tartar or just plaque reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of these two substances. Flossing is a widely recommended component of a complete oral hygiene routine, acknowledged by dental professionals as a method for reaching surfaces a toothbrush cannot. Understanding the distinct properties of soft, bacterial film versus hard, mineral deposits clarifies the specific role flossing plays in maintaining oral health.
Understanding the Difference Between Plaque and Tartar
Plaque is a soft, sticky, and typically colorless film that constantly forms on the surface of your teeth and at the gum line. This film is a biofilm composed of oral bacteria, food particles, and saliva. The bacteria within this soft matrix feed on sugars and starches, producing acids that erode tooth enamel and irritate the gums.
If plaque is not removed promptly, it begins a process called mineralization, hardening into tartar, also known as dental calculus. Tartar forms when the plaque absorbs minerals, primarily calcium and phosphate, from saliva. This calcification process can start within 24 to 72 hours. Once hardened, tartar is a rough, porous, and cement-like deposit that bonds firmly to the tooth structure.
Tartar often appears yellow or brown and creates a surface that encourages even more plaque to accumulate. Unlike the soft, easily disrupted film of plaque, tartar is a rock-hard mineral deposit. This difference in composition and hardness determines why plaque can be removed at home, while tartar requires professional intervention.
The Primary Function of Flossing
Flossing is designed to remove the soft, bacterial film of plaque, not the hard structure of tartar. The thread slides into the tight spaces between teeth and below the gum line where toothbrush bristles cannot effectively reach. By gently scraping the surface of the tooth, the floss mechanically disrupts the newly formed plaque biofilm.
This mechanical action is highly effective against the soft, sticky nature of plaque. The floss creates friction against the tooth surface, lifting the bacteria and food debris before they have a chance to harden. Flossing must be performed daily to break up bacterial colonies before they mature and begin the calcification process.
Flossing cannot remove calcified tartar because the dental floss lacks the rigidity and abrasive quality necessary to scrape away the mineral deposit. Trying to use floss or any non-specialized tool to remove tartar is ineffective and may even damage your gums. Once plaque has hardened into tartar, it becomes a fixed structure resistant to all at-home cleaning methods.
How Tartar is Professionally Removed
Since tartar cannot be removed by flossing or brushing, it requires specialized tools and techniques performed by a dental hygienist or dentist. The procedure for removing tartar is known as scaling. Dental professionals use either specialized manual instruments, called dental scalers or curettes, or modern ultrasonic devices.
Ultrasonic scalers utilize a rapidly vibrating metal tip that chips away the hard tartar, often combined with a jet of water to wash away the debris. Manual scaling involves carefully scraping the tartar from the tooth, both above and below the gum line. Attempting to scrape the hardened mineral deposits at home is not recommended, as it can cause damage to the gum tissue and tooth enamel.
This professional cleaning is the only way to eliminate calculus once it has formed and is an important part of routine dental checkups. If tartar has extended significantly below the gum line, a deeper cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing may be necessary. The removal of tartar is fundamental because its rough surface promotes the accumulation of more plaque and further gum irritation.
The Importance of Daily Plaque Removal
Daily plaque removal, primarily through flossing, is a preventative measure designed to stop the formation of tartar entirely. When plaque is left on the teeth, the resulting tartar creates a rough surface and a protected environment for harmful bacteria. This buildup leads to irritation and inflammation of the gums, known as gingivitis.
If gingivitis is ignored, the condition can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease where the infection spreads and begins to break down the bone and tissue supporting the teeth. Daily flossing prevents this progression by targeting plaque in the tight interdental spaces before it can calcify. Flossing once a day is recommended to disrupt this cycle of plaque-to-tartar formation.
By removing the soft bacterial film every day, you maintain a healthy environment that minimizes gum inflammation and the risk of developing periodontitis. The long-term health of your teeth and gums depends on this consistent, mechanical removal of plaque, ensuring the precursor to tartar is eliminated.