What is Tartar? How to Remove Tartar from Teeth?

What Is Tartar?

Tartar is mineralized dental plaque that becomes hard and crusty. It forms when plaque, the sticky, bacteria‑rich film that naturally forms on your teeth, is not removed promptly through regular brushing and flossing. Over time, plaque absorbs minerals from your saliva, hardens, and bonds tightly to the tooth surface.

This hardened substance can appear yellow, brown, or black, depending on how long it’s been present and what substances you consume, like coffee, tea, wine, or tobacco.

Once tartar forms, it cannot be removed by brushing or flossing at home. Only a dentist or dental hygienist can safely remove it during a professional cleaning.

What Causes Tartar to Form?

Tartar forms when plaque is not removed regularly. When bacteria in plaque mix with leftover food particles and saliva, they produce acids that irritate gums and damage enamel. If this plaque stays on the teeth for more than a couple of days, minerals in saliva bind with it and harden it into tartar.

Common causes and risk factors include:

• Inadequate brushing and flossing
• High‑sugar or high‑carbohydrate diets that feed harmful bacteria
• Smoking or tobacco use
• Dry mouth, which reduces saliva’s natural cleaning action
• Crowded or crooked teeth that trap food and plaque
• Braces or dental appliances that make cleaning difficult
• Genetic factors influencing saliva composition

Once tartar develops, it forms a rough surface that attracts even more plaque, creating a vicious cycle of buildup that accelerates oral disease risk.

Plaque vs. Tartar: What’s the Difference?

Understanding the difference between plaque and tartar is essential for effective oral care:

Plaque

Plaque is a soft, sticky film composed of bacteria, food debris, and saliva. It builds up constantly throughout the day. Plaque feels fuzzy or “slimy” on teeth and can often be cleared away with proper brushing and daily flossing.

Tartar

Tartar is hardened plaque. After plaque sits on the teeth for too long, minerals from saliva combine with it and turn it into a hard deposit. Tartar feels rough and cannot be removed by brushing or flossing at home. Only a dental professional can remove it safely.

Here are the key differences:

Texture: Plaque is soft; tartar is hard and crusty.
 

Color: Plaque is usually clear or pale; tartar often looks yellow to dark brown or black.
 

Removal: Plaque can be removed with good home care; tartar requires professional dental treatment.
 

Risk: Tartar increases the risk of gum disease, bad breath, and enamel erosion more than plaque alone.

How Tartar Affects Teeth and Gums?

Tartar doesn’t just make your smile look dull; it actively harms oral health.

Increased Risk of Gum Disease

• Tartar that forms above and below the gumline irritates gum tissue. This causes inflammation, redness, and bleeding, which are the earliest signs of gingivitis. If left untreated, this can progress into periodontitis, a serious condition where gums pull away from teeth and underlying bone starts to deteriorate.

Tooth Decay and Cavities

• The bacteria trapped in tartar continue producing acids that erode tooth enamel. This acid attack weakens tooth structure, leading to cavities.

Stained and Discolored Teeth

• Because tartar is porous, it easily absorbs pigments from coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco, leading to visible stains.

Bad Breath (Halitosis)

• The bacteria trapped between tartar and gums release sulfur‑producing compounds. These compounds create persistent bad breath that regular brushing and mouthwash alone cannot fix.

Signs You May Have Tartar Buildup

You might not always see tartar immediately, but common signs include:

• Yellow, brown, or black patches on teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
• Slight gum swelling or tenderness
• A rough, crusty feeling on the surface of teeth
• Gum recession that makes teeth look longer over time

Dark or black tartar is often seen in smokers and heavy coffee or tea drinkers, or where tartar has absorbed blood breakdown products from the gums.

Professional Treatment: How Dentists Remove Tartar

Tartar removal is called scaling and can be performed by a dentist or dental hygienist.

During scaling:

• Special metal instruments gently scrape tartar above and below the gumline
• Ultrasonic tools may be used to disrupt hardened deposits
• The tooth surface is polished afterward to make it harder for plaque to reattach

If tartar has caused gum inflammation or bone loss, your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing. This deeper clean smooths root surfaces and promotes healing of gum tissues.

For advanced cases with deep periodontal pockets, additional procedures such as gum surgery or laser therapy may be recommended.

Regular professional cleaning, typically every six months, helps prevent tartar buildup and keep gum disease from progressing. Your dentist can recommend the right schedule based on your individual risk.

Natural Ways to Support Oral Health (Plaque Prevention)

While natural remedies cannot remove hardened tartar, they can help reduce plaque and slow future tartar buildup when used alongside good oral hygiene:

1. Baking Soda – Acts as a mild abrasive that helps scrubbing off surface plaque gently.
2. Salt Water Rinse – Helps reduce bacteria and soothe inflamed gums.
3. Aloe Vera Gel – Has antibacterial properties that support gum health.
4. Oil Pulling – Swishing coconut or sesame oil may help reduce oral bacteria.
5. Vitamin C‑Rich Fruits – Foods like strawberries and oranges may help reduce bacterial adhesion.
6. Cheese – Stimulates saliva and neutralizes acids after meals.
7. Sesame Seeds – Chewing seeds can act as a gentle abrasive to help clean teeth.
8. Antibacterial Mouthwash – Reduces bacteria that lead to plaque formation.

These approaches should support daily care but not replace professional cleanings or regular dental checkups.

How to Prevent Tartar Buildup

Prevention is the strongest defense against tartar. Key everyday habits include brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once daily, using an antibacterial mouthwash, and limiting sugary or starchy foods that feed plaque bacteria.

Eating crunchy fruits and vegetables increases saliva and naturally cleans teeth, while quitting smoking and tobacco improves overall oral health. Hydration also supports saliva production, which naturally protects enamel and reduces plaque formation. Regular dental checkups remain essential because tartar can form even with good home care.

When You Should See a Dentist

Visit your dentist if you notice:

• Hardened buildup that won’t brush away
• Frequent bleeding gums
• Gum recession or loose teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Pain or swelling

Early intervention prevents gum disease progression and costly restorative procedures later.

Frequently Asked Questions