Plaque and tartar are often used interchangeably, but they represent two distinct stages of a single process affecting your teeth. The relationship between these substances is one of cause and effect, where one always precedes the other. Recognizing this difference is important because it determines whether a dental issue can be resolved at home or requires professional intervention. The distinction lies primarily in their texture, composition, and removability.
The Soft Stage: Understanding Dental Plaque
Dental plaque is a colorless or pale yellow, sticky film that constantly forms on the surface of your teeth, restorations, and along the gumline. This substance is a complex microbial community, and it consists mainly of bacteria, their metabolic products, and components from saliva. The bacteria feed on sugars and starches from the food you eat, producing acids that damage tooth enamel and lead to decay.
Because of its soft, sticky nature, plaque is easily disrupted and removed through regular mechanical cleaning. If plaque is not removed, this soft film serves as the foundation for a much harder dental problem.
The Hard Stage: Formation and Characteristics of Tartar
Tartar, also known as dental calculus, is the hardened, mineralized form of dental plaque. This transformation occurs when soft plaque absorbs minerals from your saliva. This calcification process can begin rapidly, with plaque hardening into tartar within 24 to 72 hours if left undisturbed.
Once formed, tartar bonds strongly to the tooth enamel, creating a rough and porous surface that attracts even more plaque. Tartar typically appears as a yellow or brown deposit that forms both above and below the gumline. Unlike plaque, tartar is too hard and firmly attached to be removed by regular brushing or flossing, requiring specialized tools for removal.
At-Home Strategies for Plaque Control
The most effective way to prevent tartar from forming is by consistently removing plaque. This involves brushing your teeth for a full two minutes twice daily using a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps strengthen enamel and protects against the acids produced by plaque bacteria.
Flossing once a day is important, as a toothbrush cannot effectively reach the tight spaces between teeth and below the gumline where plaque accumulates. Utilizing string floss or a water flosser physically removes trapped food particles and the bacterial film from these hard-to-reach areas. You can supplement this routine with an antimicrobial mouthwash, which helps reduce the bacteria that contribute to plaque formation.
Professional Intervention and Long-Term Health
Once plaque has transitioned into tartar, its removal requires professional intervention. Dentists and dental hygienists use specialized instruments, such as ultrasonic scalers, to safely break down and remove the hard deposits from both above and below the gumline. For extensive buildup, a deep cleaning procedure known as scaling and root planing may be performed.
If tartar is ignored, the rough deposits promote inflammation, leading to an early form of gum disease called gingivitis, characterized by red, swollen, or bleeding gums. Allowing tartar to remain can progress this condition into periodontitis, which involves the detachment of the gums from the teeth, bone loss, and eventually, tooth loss. Untreated gum disease is also linked to wider systemic health issues, including heart disease.