You might already know that brushing, flossing, and professional teeth cleanings remove plaque from your teeth. But what is plaque? How does it damage your oral health? And how is it different from tartar?
Understanding the answers to these questions can help you keep up with good oral health habits and help make sense of what makes your brushing and flossing more effective.
As part of Imagine Dental’s mission to help you enjoy better oral health, our dentists in Arizona want to help you understand all aspects of your oral health. Today, we’re breaking down:
- What’s the difference between plaque and tartar.
- How plaque can cause cavities and gum disease.
- Why regular dental cleanings are so important.
Let’s dive in!
How to Tell If It’s Plaque or Tartar on Your Teeth
Plaque and tartar might seem similar, but they’re very different.
What is Plaque?
Plaque is a soft, sticky film that constantly forms on your teeth. You can usually feel plaque as a fuzzy coating on your teeth, especially if you haven’t brushed in a while.
It starts off as a protective coating that comes from your saliva. Unfortunately, that protective coating (called the pellicle) is a perfect surface for bacteria to stick to.
Thick plaque that sits undisturbed for a long time develops a complex structure. There are even channels to deliver nutrients to bacteria at the base levels! Unfortunately, it also becomes harder to remove.
Part of the reason is because it absorbs minerals from your saliva and calcifies into tartar (called calculus by dentists).
What is Tartar?
Tartar is a hardenedis hardened plaque. It has a rough surface and can be yellow, brown, or even black as it absorbs stains and blood from irritated gums. Tartar often builds up around the gumline and between your teeth. Which is where it can cause serious problems for your gums.
How Can You Tell the Difference?
Telling the difference between plaque and tartar is fairly easy. If it goes away when you brush, floss, or even scratch at it with your fingernail, it’s probably plaque. If it’s hard and firmly stuck to your tooth, it’s probably tartar.
Tartar usually (not always) forms first between the teeth and at or below the gumline. It also tends to form first near your salivary ducts. That is, the tongue side of your lower front teeth and the cheek side of your upper molars.
It’s worth noting that there isn’t always a hard line between the two. As plaque slowly absorbs minerals and hardens, you can develop a sort of “loose” tartar that you may be able to remove with floss or a toothbrush.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that many times, you won’t know you’re developing tartar at all! Because it tends to develop where your toothbrush can’t reach, it may be deep below the gums and only become visible on an x-ray.
However, you may be able to tell if you’re developing tartar under your gums if you have gum disease.
Can Plaque and Tartar Hurt Your Teeth and Gums?
Yes! Plaque and tartar are the two main reasons people have oral health problems.
As bacteria build up on your teeth and gums, they create their own protective coating called the matrix. The thicker the matrix becomes, the more types of bacteria can thrive. Especially bacteria that can damage your oral health by eating sugar and producing acid, which creates cavities.
Tartar’s rough, hard texture can physically abrade and push against the gums, which can also damage the connection between the gums and the teeth.
How Plaque and Tartar Hurt Your Immune System
Plaque and tartar can damage your gums directly. However, your own immune system’s reaction to plaque and tartar can do even more harm. The bacteria and physical irritation from plaque and tartar cause inflammation.
Your own immune cells and the inflammatory process can damage the cells in your gums, the ligaments that hold the tooth in the socket, and even the bone socket itself. This is the gum disease process.
Together, tooth decay and periodontal disease are the two leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
How to Prevent Tartar Buildup
Preventing tartar buildup starts with good plaque control. If you remove plaque while it’s still in its soft, sticky form, it won’t have a chance to harden into tartar.
The good news? It’s a pretty straightforward process.
- Brush at least twice every day.
- Brush with good technique, focusing on gently sweeping plaque away from the gumline.
- Brush for at least two minutes each time.
- Try to floss at least once per day.
- Consider adding a water flosser to your routine.
- Use fluoride toothpaste.
You can help your routine work even better with antibacterial mouthwash to kill any bacteria that are left after brushing and flossing. Some mouthwash also has fluoride, which can strengthen enamel.
You can also help to control bacteria by rinsing well with plain water after eating, or chewing sugar-free gum, which can remove food debris and increases saliva, which helps to keep the teeth clean as well..
Regular teeth cleanings are crucial because once tartar forms, only a professional cleaning can remove it.
Should You Scrape Off Tartar at Home?
It might be tempting to try scraping off tartar at home, but it’s not a good idea. Using sharp objects on your teeth can damage your enamel and gums, leading to more problems down the road. It’s always best to visit a dentist for professional teeth cleanings, where we have the proper tools and training to remove tartar safely.
For our Arizona readers, Imagine’s professional teeth cleanings in Phoenix and Ahwatukee are a great way to protect yourself from cavities and gum disease. It’s also a great way to keep your smile looking great!
Part of a dental cleaning is polishing the teeth, which completely removes plaque as well as stain. Effective stain removal can help your smile look bright and fresh. Plus, we can get you set up for teeth whitening treatments to take your smile to the next level!
Protect Your Oral Health with Regular Teeth Cleanings in Phoenix and Ahwatukee at Imagine Dental!
The best way to protect your smile from plaque and tartar is by keeping up with your oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly. If you’re in Phoenix or Ahwatukee, Imagine Dental offers professional teeth cleanings that can help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Don’t let plaque and tartar harm your smile—schedule your cleaning today and enjoy a cleaner, healthier mouth!
