On this page · 6 sections
01Why it matters
Tartar gives plaque a rough surface to cling to, so even more bacteria collect on the teeth. When it builds up at or below the gumline, it irritates the gums and is a major contributor to gingivitis and, over time, periodontitis. Tartar also stains easily, which can make teeth look yellow or brown, and it makes it harder to brush and floss well.
Text version of this infographic
Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that brushing and flossing remove. Plaque that stays on the teeth hardens with minerals from saliva into tartar, usually along the gumline. Tartar can only be removed by a dental professional during a cleaning.
02Signs and causes
You may see tartar as a hard, crusty, yellow or tan deposit. It often forms on the back of the lower front teeth or the outside of the upper back teeth. Those spots are near where saliva enters the mouth. Tartar below the gumline is often hard to see and is usually found during a dental exam.
Plaque starts forming again soon after you brush. If it is left on the teeth, it can begin hardening into tartar within days. Things that speed up buildup include:
- Skipping brushing or flossing, or missing the same spots each day.
- Smoking or other tobacco use.
- Diets high in sugars and starches.
- Crowded or overlapping teeth that are harder to clean.
- Natural differences in saliva, which make some people build tartar faster than others.
03What happens
Once tartar forms, brushing and flossing cannot remove it. During a professional cleaning, a dental hygienist or dentist breaks tartar off the teeth. They use hand tools called scalers, and sometimes a tool that vibrates.
The teeth are then polished so the surfaces are smooth and plaque has a harder time sticking. When tartar has built up deep below the gumline, the dentist may suggest a deeper cleaning. It is called scaling and root planing, and it cleans the root surfaces under the gums.
04Cost factors
What treatment costs depends on:
- Whether a routine cleaning is enough or a deeper cleaning is needed.
- How much buildup there is and how many areas of the mouth are involved.
- Your dental insurance plan. Many plans include routine cleanings and exams, so call the office to check yours.
- The option to use CareCredit, which the office accepts.
05How to prevent it
- Brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, paying close attention to the gumline.
- Clean between your teeth once a day with floss, interdental brushes, or a water flosser.
- Consider a tartar-control toothpaste. It can help slow new buildup above the gumline, but it does not remove tartar that is already there.
- Limit sugary and starchy snacks between meals.
- Avoid tobacco products.
- Keep regular cleanings, often every six months or as often as the dentist recommends for you.
Some people build tartar quickly even with good habits. If that is you, the dentist may suggest more frequent cleanings.
Due for a cleaning? See our teeth cleaning and exams page.
06Questions people ask
Can I remove tartar at home?
No. Once plaque hardens into tartar, it bonds firmly to the tooth and cannot be brushed or flossed away. Scraping at it yourself can damage your enamel and gums. A dental professional removes it safely during a cleaning.
What is the difference between plaque and tartar?
Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that you can remove with daily brushing and flossing. Tartar is plaque that has hardened. It sticks firmly to the teeth and has to be removed by a dental professional.
Does tartar-control toothpaste work?
Tartar-control toothpaste can help slow the buildup of new tartar above the gumline. It does not remove tartar that has already formed, and it does not replace flossing or regular professional cleanings.
Dr. Sadek is the family dentist at Americana Family Dental on Americana Blvd in Orlando. He reviews the health information on this site. Review date: [date pending review]