Dental tartar, also known as calculus, is a hard, mineralized deposit that forms on teeth. It begins as dental plaque, a soft, sticky biofilm of bacteria, food debris, and saliva proteins. If plaque is not removed through routine brushing and flossing, it absorbs minerals from saliva, such as calcium phosphate salts. This process, which can start in as little as 24 to 72 hours, causes the plaque to harden, creating a rough deposit that bonds strongly to the tooth enamel and root surfaces.
Irritation and Gum Inflammation
The primary effect of tartar is localized irritation along the gumline, triggering an inflammatory response in the soft tissues. The rough, porous texture of calculus acts like a scaffold, creating an ideal environment where bacterial plaque can rapidly accumulate. This buildup occurs both above and slightly below the gumline, directly against the gingiva.
The constant presence of bacterial colonies releases toxins that irritate the gums, initiating the first stage of gum disease called gingivitis. This condition is characterized by gums becoming red, swollen, and tender. A common sign is the tendency for gums to bleed easily during routine oral hygiene activities. Because gingivitis does not yet involve the underlying bone, it is generally reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care.
Progression to Advanced Disease
When tartar remains untreated, the chronic irritation and inflammation extend deeper beneath the gumline, marking the progression to periodontitis. The body’s prolonged inflammatory reaction against the bacteria causes the gum tissue to detach from the tooth root, creating deepened spaces known as periodontal pockets. These pockets then become traps for more plaque and calculus, allowing the infection to thrive in an environment inaccessible to a toothbrush.
Within these deep pockets, the chronic infection and the immune system’s response begin to destroy the connective fibers and the alveolar bone anchoring the teeth. This bone loss is the defining, irreversible consequence of periodontitis. As supporting bone structures are eroded, the gums often recede, exposing more of the tooth root surface. This loss leads to increased tooth mobility, shifting of teeth, and the potential for eventual tooth loss if the infection is not halted.
Professional Treatment Requirements
Due to its hard nature, tartar cannot be removed by simple brushing, flossing, or rinsing at home. The strong bond of the calculus to the tooth surface requires specialized dental instruments and professional skill for removal. Dental hygienists or dentists must use metal hand instruments or ultrasonic scaling devices to physically chip away the hardened deposits from both the visible tooth surface and the areas below the gumline.
For cases where periodontitis has developed, a procedure known as scaling and root planing is performed to clean the deep periodontal pockets. Scaling removes the calculus below the gumline, while root planing smooths the tooth root surfaces. This smoothing action discourages bacteria from re-adhering and helps the gum tissue heal and potentially reattach to the cleaned roots, preventing further bone destruction.