Dental plaque is a colorless, sticky film composed of oral bacteria, food particles, and saliva that constantly forms on the surface of teeth. This soft, biological film is the precursor to a much more resilient substance. The body’s natural chemistry, combined with daily habits, dictates how quickly this removable substance hardens into a mineralized deposit.
Defining the Key Substances
The distinction between plaque and its hardened form, known as tartar or dental calculus, is based on composition and density. Plaque is a soft biofilm made up of bacteria embedded in a matrix of saliva and food debris, which can be mechanically removed with a toothbrush and floss. If this film is not consistently removed, it begins to integrate with minerals naturally present in saliva, such as calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. These minerals cause the plaque to calcify. Tartar is a porous, crusty deposit firmly bonded to the tooth enamel that cannot be dislodged by normal home care methods.
The Calcification Timeline
Plaque starts accumulating on the tooth surface within minutes of cleaning, and the hardening process begins almost immediately. Initial calcification can begin in as little as four to eight hours if the film is left undisturbed. The first critical window occurs within 24 to 72 hours, during which the plaque absorbs mineral salts from the saliva, initiating the hardening process. This 48-to-72-hour period is when effective brushing and flossing are most impactful in preventing the transition.
Plaque can become approximately 50% mineralized within just two days. The process continues rapidly; within 10 to 14 days, the deposit is considered hardened calculus, which is roughly 60% to 90% mineralized. Once plaque reaches this level of hardness, it adheres tenaciously to the tooth surface. This hardened substance provides a rough surface that attracts even more plaque, accelerating further accumulation.
Factors Influencing Hardening Speed
Several biological and behavioral variables can accelerate or slow down the speed at which plaque turns into tartar. The specific chemical composition of an individual’s saliva plays a significant role. Saliva with a high concentration of mineral ions, such as calcium and phosphate, provides more readily available material for the plaque to absorb and harden.
Dietary habits also directly influence the rate of hardening. Diets high in simple carbohydrates and sugars feed oral bacteria, leading to a more robust and quick-forming plaque biofilm. Poor oral hygiene habits, such as neglecting to brush twice daily or skipping flossing, ensure the plaque remains on the teeth long enough to start the mineralization process. Smoking or using tobacco products are also known to accelerate the formation of tartar significantly.
Dealing with Tartar
Once plaque has calcified into tartar, it is impossible to remove through regular home care methods like brushing or flossing. The removal of calculus requires professional intervention by a dental hygienist or dentist. The standard procedure for removing tartar is called scaling, which involves using specialized instruments, such as manual dental scalers or ultrasonic devices. These tools carefully chip away the hardened deposits from the tooth surface, both above and below the gum line.
Allowing tartar to remain on the teeth poses serious risks, as its rough, porous texture attracts and holds more bacteria. The presence of calculus, particularly below the gum line, leads to chronic gum inflammation known as gingivitis, which can progress to the more severe condition of periodontitis.