What Dental Tartar Is

Dental tartar forms when bacteria and food debris stick to teeth and harden through mineral deposits from saliva. It is recognizable as yellow or brown layers between teeth, on back teeth, or along the gumline.

Unlike soft plaque that brushing can remove, hardened tartar clings firmly and cannot be eliminated by regular toothbrushing alone. Its rough surface becomes an ideal site for new plaque to accumulate again.

Dangers of Untreated Tartar

Tartar left untreated for too long can trigger various problems. The early stage is bad breath and gum inflammation (gingivitis), marked by bleeding gums when brushing. If it continues, inflammation can progress to periodontitis, an infection of the tooth-supporting tissues.

As a result, teeth can loosen or even fall out because receding gums no longer hold the roots firmly. Tartar also raises the risk of cavities and sensitive teeth. This is why dentists always stress that tartar should not be underestimated.

How to Remove Tartar: Scaling

The only effective way to remove tartar is visiting a dentist for scaling. In this procedure, all tartar is cleaned using a scraping tool called a scaler, usually an ultrasonic scaler that works with ultrasonic vibrations.

Scaling takes about 15-45 minutes depending on how much tartar there is, and may require several visits for complete cleaning. If tartar buildup is heavy enough to cause gum disease, the dentist may recommend deep cleaning with an additional root planing procedure, which smooths tooth-root surfaces so gums can reattach.

Preventing Tartar from Returning

After scaling, tartar can be kept from building up again quickly. Brush twice a day for at least two minutes with proper technique using fluoride toothpaste, and clean between teeth with dental floss at least once daily. Antiseptic mouthwash helps reduce plaque-causing bacteria.

Cut back on sugary and starchy foods that speed plaque formation, and drink plenty of water. Just as important, get dental checkups at least every six months for oral health monitoring and repeat scaling when needed.