Tartar, also known as calculus, refers to the yellow or brown deposits that can form on teeth. Tartar is composed of bacteria, food debris, and mineral salts that harden on the teeth. As tartar builds up, it can begin to cover the tooth surface and spread below the gum line. Tartar below the gum line is particularly problematic, as it can lead to periodontal disease. So can this hardened plaque actually come off your teeth? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is Tartar?
Tartar, or calculus, forms when plaque is not removed from the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film composed of bacteria, food debris, and saliva that adheres to the teeth. When plaque is not removed through regular brushing and flossing, the bacteria continue to multiply and produce acids that irritate the gums. Plaque can also harden into tartar through the accumulation of mineral salts like calcium and phosphate from saliva and food. Unlike plaque, tartar is firmly attached to the teeth and is difficult to remove.
Composition of Tartar
The exact composition of tartar varies, but some key components include:
– Calcium phosphate – The most abundant mineral found in tartar, making up 70-90% of deposits. It is derived from saliva and gives tartar its hardness.
– Calcium carbonate – Accounts for 5-20% of tartar. Also comes from saliva.
– Plaque bacteria – Bacteria make up around 1-2% of tartar’s composition. Specific bacteria found include Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus.
– Food debris – Trapped food particles make up 1-2% of tartar. Carbohydrates are a major contributor.
– Other organic matter – Includes proteins from saliva, leukocytes, and epithelial cells. Makes up 1-2% of tartar.
This hardened composite substance firmly adheres to the tooth surface once mineralized, allowing plaque bacteria to continue proliferating and releasing acids.
Where Does Tartar Form?
Tartar can form anywhere on the teeth where plaque accumulates and mineralizes. The most common areas include:
– Along the gumline – Tartar tends to build up prominently along the gumline, as plaque readily accumulates in this area. This can lead to gum irritation and periodontal inflammation.
– Between teeth – Plaque easily builds up in the tight spaces between teeth, eventually hardening into tartar. This can exacerbate dental decay.
– Behind lower front teeth – The lower front teeth are difficult to keep clean, allowing plaque to readily accumulate and mineralize.
– Around dental work – Tartar can form on the edges of fillings, crowns, and other dental work where plaque gathers. Proper dental hygiene is important around dental work.
– Below gumline – Plaque bacteria can spread below the gumline, where minerals in saliva can harden the plaque into a cement-like tartar. This can accelerate periodontal disease progression.
Can Tartar Be Removed?
Yes, tartar can be removed from teeth through professional dental cleaning. However, tartar cannot be fully eliminated solely through brushing and flossing at home. The deposition of tartar generally requires professional intervention. Here’s why:
Tartar Adheres Firmly to Teeth
Unlike plaque, tartar tenaciously adheres to the tooth surface and cannot be dislodged with a toothbrush or dental floss alone. Brushing and flossing can help slow the buildup of plaque that leads to tartar, but once hardened and calcified, tartar is extremely difficult to disrupt. Only the use of specialized dental instruments can effectively remove tartar.
Tartar Spreads Below Gumline
Perhaps the most problematic aspect of tartar is that it tends to spread beneath the gumline, where it can cause even greater damage. Brushing and flossing primarily clean the exposed tooth surfaces, so they are unable to remove tartar around the tooth root below the gums. This allows the bacteria in tartar to proliferate and worsen gum inflammation.
Professional Dental Cleaning Required
The only reliable way to fully remove tartar buildup, including below the gumline, is to undergo professional dental cleaning. Also called dental scaling and polishing, this involves using advanced tools to scrape, ultrasonically vibrate, and polish away accumulated tartar.
Common tartar removal tools include:
– Metal scalers – Sharp, thin instruments for scraping off deposits.
– Ultrasonic scalers – Use high-frequency vibrations to loosen tartar.
– Polishing cups – Rotate to smooth and polish teeth after scaling.
– Laser devices – Photothermal lasers can aid in calculus removal.
– Hand tools – Used for precision removal of tartar.
– Suction – Removes dislodged tartar and saliva during the cleaning process.
Only professional dental cleanings performed by a dentist or hygienist can successfully remove the entirety of calculus buildup, restoring dental health.
How Often Should Tartar Be Removed?
Dental experts generally recommend having professional tartar removal, or prophylaxis, performed:
– Every 6 months – For most adults, biannual cleanings are advised to prevent excess tartar accumulation leading to caries and gum disease. More frequent cleanings may be recommended for those highly prone to buildup.
– Every 3-4 months – Individuals at high risk for plaque and tartar buildup, such as those with medical conditions like diabetes, are advised to have cleanings done more frequently.
– Annually – For children and adolescents, annual cleanings are typically sufficient for maintaining oral health. More may be needed with risk factors.
– With orthodontic treatment – Increased cleanings help control plaque and tartar buildup accelerated by braces or aligners.
– Around dental work – Cleanings every 3-6 months help remove tartar around restorations or appliances.
The frequency of required tartar removal cleanings can vary based on the individual’s oral hygiene routine, diet, health status, and other factors. Discuss an appropriate cleaning schedule with your dentist.
Risks of Letting Tartar Remain on Teeth
Allowing tartar to continually build up on the teeth without removal comes with considerable oral health risks, including:
Tooth Decay
Tartar provides an ideal environment for acid-producing oral bacteria to thrive. The bacterial acids can demineralize enamel and cause cavities and decay, particularly when tartar forms between teeth. Unremoved calculus exacerbates dental caries progression.
Periodontal Disease
When tartar spreads below the gumline, bacteria can inflame the gums and trigger periodontitis. In severe cases, unchecked tartar buildup can lead to infection, receding gums, tooth loosening, and eventual tooth loss. Regular tartar removal is key to preventing gum disease.
Halitosis
The bacteria proliferating within tartar produce foul-smelling metabolic byproducts including hydrogen sulfide, resulting in bad breath or halitosis. Removing tartar deposits can help treat this unpleasant condition.
Dental Stains
Over time, tartar can become visibly stained from compounds like teas, coffees, wines, and smoking. This can detract from the smile’s aesthetics. Removing stains and deposits through professional cleaning restores whiter, brighter teeth.
Dental Restoration Damage
Buildup around dental work like fillings, crowns, and bridges can lead to deterioration of restorations. Timely tartar removal is key to preserving these investments.
Letting tartar remain on the teeth indefinitely without removal at the dentist will likely result in harm to oral and systemic health. Be sure to get regular professional cleanings.
Can I Remove Tartar at Home?
While you cannot completely eliminate tartar at home, you can help prevent and control plaque buildup between dental visits using good oral hygiene:
Brush Twice Daily
Brushing thoroughly twice a day helps remove plaque before it can mineralize into tartar. Use proper technique and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure to brush all surfaces, especially along the gumline.
Floss Daily
Flossing once a day removes plaque from between teeth and around the gumline, where tartar often forms. Be sure to use proper flossing technique to maximize effectiveness.
Use Antimicrobial Rinses
Over-the-counter antimicrobial mouthwashes can help kill plaque bacteria and slow the formation of tartar when used as a supplement to brushing and flossing. Options include essential oil, cetylpyridinium chloride, or chlorhexidine rinses.
Limit Starchy and Sugary Foods
Reducing intake of sugary and high-carb foods that feed plaque bacteria can help impede tartar buildup. Limit snacking frequency to avoid constant acid attacks.
Quit Smoking
Smoking facilitates tartar formation and staining. Kicking the habit can significantly benefit oral health.
While home care is important for controlling plaque, seeing the dentist regularly for professional tartar removal and cleanings is essential for maintaining your dental health. Be sure to schedule regular exams and cleanings.
Can Tartar Harm Your Teeth and Gums?
Yes, the buildup of tartar can certainly cause harm to the teeth and gums in various ways. Some key problems that tartar accumulation can lead to include:
– Gingivitis – Tartar around the base of the teeth irritates the gums and causes redness, swelling, and inflammation known as gingivitis. This develops into full periodontitis without removal.
– Periodontitis – When gingivitis is unchecked, inflammation can spread deeper below the gumline, destroying the tissues and bone that support the teeth. This advanced gum disease is called periodontitis.
– Tooth Decay – Tartar provides an optimal environment for acid-generating bacteria to thrive, leading to demineralization and eventual caries formation. The decay process is worsened.
– Tooth Loss – In advanced periodontal disease cases, severe infection and destruction of the periodontal ligament can lead to tooth loosening and eventual tooth loss if tartar is not controlled.
– Halitosis – Sulfur gases produced by bacteria proliferating within tartar cause unpleasant bad breath, or halitosis. Removing deposits treats this issue.
– Recession – When tartar spreads below the gumline, it can gradually irritate the gums and cause them to recede or pull away from the teeth. This exposes vulnerable root surfaces.
– Aesthetics – Over time, visible yellow or brown tartar deposits can build up on the teeth and undermine a bright, white smile. Stains are also common.
Clearly, allowing tartar to continually accumulate can negatively impact the teeth and gums in various ways. Getting regular professional cleanings is key to controlling plaque and maintaining oral health. Be sure to see your dentist.
When to Seek Professional Tartar Removal
You should make an appointment for a professional dental cleaning and tartar removal if you notice any of the following signs:
– Visible tartar – Yellow, brown, or white calcified deposits are apparent on the tooth surfaces, especially near the gumline.
– Bad breath – Foul odor emanating from the mouth, even after brushing, that may signal bacterial overgrowth.
– Gum irritation – Red, inflamed, or bleeding gums indicative of gingivitis. Tartar often irritates gum tissues.
– Receding gums – Gums appear pulled away from the teeth, exposing more of the tooth root surface.
– Loose teeth – Tooth mobility from progressive periodontal inflammation and bone loss.
– New cavities – Unexplained development of new decayed areas on tooth surfaces.
– Difficulty flossing – Floss catching on teeth due to subgingival tartar.
– Chipped restorations – Tartar buildup leading to deterioration of dental work.
– Routine exam due – It has been over 6 months since your last dental cleaning.
Noticing any of these signs warrants making an appointment for a thorough dental exam, scaling, and polishing to properly remove built-up tartar and restore oral health.
Tips to Prevent Tartar Buildup
You can help prevent the formation of tartar between your professional dental cleanings by following these tartar control tips:
– Brush thoroughly twice a day – Regular brushing removes plaque before it can harden into tartar. Focus on gumline areas.
– Floss once daily – Flossing clears plaque from between teeth and below the gumline where tartar often forms.
– Use antimicrobial rinses – Over-the-counter antiseptic mouthwashes can help reduce plaque bacteria.
– Rinse after eating – Swishing with water after meals can wash away food debris and prevent plaque accumulation.
– Limit sugary foods – Reducing sugar intake helps starve plaque bacteria and slows acid production.
– Get regular cleanings – Professional tartar removal every 6 months (or more often if needed) is essential.
– Avoid tobacco – Smoking facilitates tartar buildup and staining, so quitting can benefit oral health.
– Use tartar control toothpaste – Some toothpastes contain pyrophosphates to prevent mineralization of plaque.
– Monitor home care effectiveness – Regular dental exams help detect tartar buildup early for optimum control.
With vigilance and a good at-home regimen combined with professional care, you can effectively minimize tartar accumulation and maintain your oral health.
When to See a Dentist
You should see a dentist promptly if you notice any symptoms of a tartar-related problem including:
– Visible tartar deposits – Yellow, brown or white calcified buildup on your teeth indicates a need for professional cleaning.
– Red, swollen, or bleeding gums – Signs of gingivitis often caused by tartar irritating the gums.
– Bad breath – Foul odor that persists despite brushing can signal tartar-related bacteria.
– Increased tooth sensitivity – Loss of enamel from emerging decay around tartar can heighten sensitivity.
– New unexplained cavities – Tartar drives decay formation so new caries warrant prompt attention.
– Toothache – Pain from a cracked tooth or spreading cavity exacerbated by tartar.
– Receding gums – Gums receding from teeth create gaps that are prone to more tartar buildup.
– Loose teeth – Advanced periodontal disease from tartar may cause pathologic tooth loosening.
– Chipped or damaged dental work – Tartar around restorations leads to deterioration.
Don’t put off making an appointment with persistent symptoms or overdue for a routine exam and cleaning. Treating tartar early provides the best chance of reversing damage and avoiding extensive treatment. Your dentist can determine the best course of action for removing built-up tartar and restoring oral health.
Conclusion
In summary, tartar (calculus) refers to hardened plaque deposits that can form on tooth surfaces, especially around the gumline. Unlike soft plaque, tartar cannot be removed by brushing and flossing alone due to its calcified composition and firm adhesion to teeth. Tartar is also problematic because it spreads easily below the gumline where it can exacerbate periodontal disease. Allowing tartar to continually build up comes with considerable risks like tooth decay, receding gums, and eventual tooth loss in severe untreated cases. However, tartar can be effectively removed by undergoing regular professional dental cleanings and scaling to physically scrape off and dislodge calculus deposits. Still, daily dental hygiene including brushing, flossing, and antimicrobial rinses helps control plaque in between biannual cleanings. Seeing the dentist promptly if any symptoms of tartar issues arise is also key to maintaining oral health. With vigilant daily home care and professional tartar removal every 6 months, you can keep calculus at bay and avoid major dental problems down the road.