Tartar on Teeth

In plain English

What tartar on teeth usually means

Tartar, also called calculus, is plaque that has hardened onto the teeth. Plaque is the soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth every day. Where it is not brushed and flossed away, minerals in saliva can start to harden it within a few days into a rough, crusty deposit. Tartar is usually yellow or tan above the gumline and can be dark brown or black below it. It most often collects behind the lower front teeth and on the outer surfaces of the upper back teeth, close to where saliva enters the mouth. Once it has hardened, it is bonded to the tooth. It cannot be brushed, flossed or rinsed off, and it cannot be removed safely at home. A dentist or dental hygienist removes it during a professional cleaning. Tartar matters because its rough surface holds more plaque against the gums, which is linked to gum disease and decay. Book a routine cleaning, and go sooner if your gums bleed, swell or pull back, or a tooth feels loose. Fever with facial swelling, or trouble breathing or swallowing, means 911 or the ER.

Plaque that is not fully removed

Tartar always starts as plaque. Spots that brushing tends to miss, such as the gumline, the tongue side of the lower front teeth and the spaces between teeth, are where it typically hardens first. A dentist or hygienist can show you exactly which areas are being missed.

Crowded teeth, braces and fixed wires

Overlapping teeth, brackets and wires bonded behind the front teeth create ledges that a toothbrush and floss do not reach easily. Tartar tends to build along those edges even in people who brush carefully. Extra cleaning aids and more frequent professional cleanings are commonly suggested by the dental office.

Dry mouth

Saliva rinses food and bacteria off the teeth through the day. When there is less of it, which is common with many medications, mouth breathing and some health conditions, plaque builds faster and sticks longer. A dentist or doctor can look into the reason for a persistently dry mouth.

Smoking and other tobacco use

Tobacco use is linked to heavier tartar, darker staining of the deposits and a higher risk of gum disease, and it can mask bleeding that would otherwise be an early warning. A dentist or doctor can point you toward support for quitting if you want it.

Frequent sugary or starchy snacks and drinks

The bacteria in plaque feed on sugars and starches, so frequent snacking and sipping sweet drinks gives plaque more to grow on between brushings. More plaque sitting on the teeth for longer typically leads to more tartar, particularly along the gumline and between the back teeth.

Long gaps between professional cleanings

Some tartar forms even with good home care, and some people form it faster than others. Without regular cleanings it thickens and can spread below the gumline, where it cannot be seen. How often to have a cleaning varies, so ask your dentist what interval suits your mouth.

What a dentist does about it

A dentist or dental hygienist will look at where the tartar sits, measure the space between the gums and the teeth with a small probe, check for bleeding and gum recession, and may take X-rays to see deposits below the gumline and the level of the bone. Tartar above the gumline is removed during a routine cleaning with hand instruments and ultrasonic tools made for the purpose, followed by polishing. When tartar extends below the gumline and the gums show signs of disease, a deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, is typically recommended, often with the area numbed and sometimes over more than one visit. Afterward you are usually shown where plaque is being missed and told how often to return, which varies from person to person.

Until you can be seen

Nothing at home removes tartar, so the aim until your cleaning is to slow new buildup and keep the gums comfortable. Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush, angling the bristles toward the gumline, and clean between the teeth once a day with floss or small interdental brushes. Sipping water and cutting back on sugary snacks and drinks between meals also helps. Do not use metal tools, home tartar removal kits or abrasive powders on your teeth. They can scratch enamel, cut the gums and leave deposits behind under the gumline. Removal is a job for a dentist or hygienist. Bleeding gums are a reason to book sooner, not a reason to stop brushing.

Note — Timing

When to See a Dentist

Table 1 — Possible causes

Possible Causes of Tartar on Teeth

1. 01Plaque left on the teeth long enough to harden
2. 02Hard-to-clean areas such as crowded teeth, braces and retainer wires
3. 03Dry mouth, with less saliva to wash plaque away
4. 04Smoking and other tobacco use
5. 05Frequent sugary or starchy snacks and drinks
6. 06Long gaps between professional cleanings

Table 2 — Home remedies & self-care

Home Remedies & Self-Care

These may help manage symptoms temporarily while waiting for professional care.

• 01Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush, angled toward the gumline
• 02Clean between the teeth once a day with floss or interdental brushes
• 03Sip water and cut back on sugary snacks and drinks between meals
• 04Book a professional cleaning; home care slows new buildup but does not remove tartar

Table 3 — Common treatments

Common Treatments for Tartar on Teeth

These dental procedures are commonly used to treat tartar on teeth.

Table 4 — Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Tartar on Teeth