What is Plaque vs Tartar
Dental plaque and tartar are two of the main contributing causes of tooth decay and gum disease and are often referred to in one breath, as if they’re the same thing. While they are certainly related to each other, there are some important differences between plaque and tartar. Understanding these differences helps demonstrate the importance of regular visits to the dentist as well as the importance of daily brushing and flossing; these methods work in conjunction to address and prevent the destructive effects of accumulated plaque and tartar.
If you’ve ever run your tongue along the fronts of your teeth and noticed that they’ve felt fuzzy, you’ve noticed plaque. Soft, sticky plaque builds up constantly throughout the day, fed by the foods and drinks a person consumes. As the bacteria in plaque metabolize, they emit acids that erode dental enamel and destroy the teeth. This is why it’s so important to brush and floss regularly, to remove plaque as it forms; while dentists recommend twice daily brushing and daily flossing, if it’s at all possible it’s best to brush after every meal. Drinking plenty of water and chewing sugar-free gum after eating can help if such regular brushing is unrealistic. Even with diligent home hygiene, it’s inevitable that some plaque will be left behind, often below the gum line and in other hard-to-reach places – and this is where the dental hygienist comes in. Using specialized tools, your dental hygienist will thoroughly remove residual plaque and leave the teeth squeaky clean.
If plaque isn’t removed from the teeth, it hardens, calcifying and becoming tartar. When tartar calcifies, it becomes impossible to safely remove with home hygiene methods and must be removed by a dental professional with clinical tools. This characteristic underscores the importance of regular dental visits and professional cleanings. When tartar remains on the teeth, it leads to tooth decay, gum disease, dental sensitivity, and gum recession; not only that, the rough surface of tartar can attract plaque and contribute to a domino effect of destruction in the oral cavity. As tartar hardens just below the gum line, the gums begin to pull away from the tooth roots, creating a comfortable crevice for additional plaque which continues to gather in the absence of effective oral hygiene.
The formation of plaque and tartar are normal, but managing them is the most important thing you can do to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. The combination of plaque and tartar gradually destroys the soft tissue and bone tissue that support the teeth and hold them in the mouth, and it also destroys the teeth themselves. While both plaque and tartar contribute to this destruction, with an effective oral hygiene routine that includes daily brushing and flossing paired with regular visits to the dentist, both of these normal yet destructive elements can be kept at bay. For most patients, dentists recommend scheduling dental checkups and cleanings in six-month increments, though some patients are encouraged to see their dentists more frequently. If any concerns are spotted during your routine dental checkup, you may need to schedule an appointment with a specialist, like a periodontist, but the goal of regular dental checkups and cleanings is to reduce the likelihood of such concerns and to keep the teeth strong and healthy in the mouth for the duration.