Dental plaque and tartar: what they are, what causes them and how to remove buildup

Dental tartar and bacterial plaque on teeth: what is it? Surely you have heard these two concepts at some point in your life and, whether you know what they are or not, you’ve probably heard that neither of them is very pleasant. In this article we’ll take a look at both: we will show you what types of plaque and tartar exist, how to prevent them and how to remove them from your teeth once and for all.

We’ll tell you everything you need to know about dental plaque and tartar.

What is plaque? And what is tartar?

Wondering what if that stuff on your teeth is plaque, tartar or dental calculus? Let’s start by taking a look at plaque: what is it and what is doing on the teeth? The plaque that you can find on teeth is a sticky and colorless layer that builds up on the tooth surface due to the accumulation of bacteria and food debris. Among other oral diseases, the accumulation of bacterial plaque is the main cause of cavities and gingivitis, hence its need for removal.

And what is tartar and why is it on teeth? Well, the tartar on teeth is simply the calcification of dental plaque, which is why it’s also referred to as dental calculus or calculus teeth. When we don’t brush our teeth properly, the accumulation of plaque can solidify, giving rise to tartar. Tartar or dental calculus can accumulate in the molars, in other teeth and in the gums, where it is more difficult to remove.

So, what’s the difference between plaque vs tartar?

Basically, tartar is the next level of plaque. Unlike plaque, which is sticky, tartar is hard.

The consistency of each is closely related to another of the main differences between plaque and tartar: plaque removal is simple vs tartar removal, which is a bit more complicated. If you have tartar on your teeth, you’ll have to go to the dentist as soon as possible to remove it and prevent disease.

So essentially, when discussing plaque vs tartar, tartar is the progressed and more dangerous plaque.

How do plaque and tartar build up on teeth?

Dental plaque is formed by the accumulation of food debris on the tooth surface, which is colonized by various bacteria found in the oral cavity that feed on these debris. The combination of food remains, along with bacteria and other elements, build up on the teeth and create the sticky substance known as plaque.

Tartar or dental calculus buildup forms when dental plaque is not cleaned. When the plaque comes into contact with saliva, a reaction is created which calcifies the plaque, turning into tartar. Tartar or dental calculus buildup on the teeth should be avoided at all costs, as we mentioned earlier, because it’s more difficult to remove and more dangerous to your oral health.

What causes plaque and tartar on teeth?

The main cause of dental plaque is usually not maintaining good oral hygiene. If plaque is not properly removed by brushing and using interdental floss, it will accumulate and calcify, forming tartar or calculus teeth. Since both are interrelated, it could be said that poor oral hygiene is also the main cause of dental tartar.

That being said, when talking about what causes plaque and tartar on teeth, we must also consider that there are certain times when oral hygiene can be difficult to maintain, such as when fixed orthodontics is used. Plaque caused by braces is relatively frequent, since these devices make it difficult to thoroughly brush the teeth and gums, and may facilitate the buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth around the device.

Although poor oral hygiene is the main cause of both, it is also true that the appearance of plaque and tartar on the teeth is not due to this exclusively, there are other factors that can influence their development. For example, if we eat a lot of sugar, the pH of our saliva will be altered and we’re more likely to create and accumulate dental plaque and tartar buildup. On the other hand, there are people who naturally have a more acidic pH, which creates the ideal climate for plaque and other oral diseases such as cavities.

Types of plaque and dental calculus on teeth

Depending on where the problem is located, there are different types of dental plaque and calculus. Let’s take a look.

Types of plaque on teeth

Dental plaque can be located in various places in the mouth. Depending on where it accumulates, we can find several types of bacterial plaque on teeth:

• Marginal plaque: this is the one that is on top of the tooth’s surface
• Coronal plaque: we find this type of plaque on the border of the teeth and gums
  
• Subgingival plaque: this plaque accumulates in the pits of the gingival sulcus and within the periodontal pockets, causing tartar pockets in the gums.
  

Types of tartar or dental calculus

Like bacterial plaque, tartar or dental calculus can also appear in various places. We could say that there are two types of dental calculus:

• Supragingival tartar: as its name suggests, supragingival tartar is found on the border of the gums and teeth
• Subgingival tartar: this accumulates under the gums, and can form in the periodontal pockets
  

How to remove dental plaque and tartar from teeth

Plaque removal

When it comes to the removal of plaque on teeth, we just need to maintain proper dental hygiene, using a brush and dental floss after each meal. In addition, we can complement this brushing with clinic visits for professional dental cleaning from time to time. We can count on professional dental cleanings to achieve a deeper cleaning of the oral cavity. So the removal of plaque from the teeth is pretty simple.

Tartar removal

If plaque is the easy one, how can we remove tartar from the teeth? Calculus teeth or tartar removal is not as simple as cleaning dental plaque. To remove hard tartar from the teeth you will have to go to your dentist. During the consultation, the hygienist or dentist will perform a dental cleaning in the event that tartar is found on the dental surface. But if you’re wondering how to remove tartar from teeth when it’s found under the gums, a tartarectomy or dental curettage will be necessary for the tartar removal. With the help of a curette or an ultrasonic cleaner, the professional will help you remove the tartar from your teeth and gums.

How to prevent plaque and tartar build up

Both to avoid dental plaque and to prevent it from turning into tartar, proper hygiene is vitally important. It’s as simple as using the toothbrush with toothpaste and dental floss after meals. This way we can avoid the accumulation of plaque, the formation of tartar and the diseases that may arise.

Impress: experts in clear orthodontics and oral health

Are you thinking of starting orthodontic treatment but you’re nervous that it may hinder your oral hygiene, leading to excess plaque and tartar? With Impress clear orthodontics, you won’t have to worry.

At Impress we are specialists in oral health and removable orthodontics. Thanks to the use of aligners, which can be removed for eating and cleaning, our patients can maintain excellent oral hygiene, thus avoiding the accumulation of plaque and the formation of tartar or dental calculus. In addition to being removable, Impress orthodontics are invisible, so you can carry out your treatment with virtually no one noticing.

Come in and meet us! Schedule a consultation where we’ll perform an exhaustive study of your mouth’s health and determine which type of treatment is best suited to your case.

Contact us by calling or texting us at +44 20 3808 1072 or WhatsApp, or by filling out our online form to schedule an appointment. Discover your nearest Impress clinic!