Tartar, also known as dental calculus, cannot be removed at home with regular brushing and flossing. A professional dental cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist is required to effectively remove tartar.
Understanding Tartar
Tartar is hardened plaque. Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, forms on your teeth daily. When plaque is not removed by brushing and flossing, it can harden into tartar. Unlike plaque, which is soft and easily removable, tartar is a hard, mineralized deposit that firmly adheres to the teeth.
Why You Can't Remove Tartar At Home
- Hardened Nature: Tartar's hardened structure makes it resistant to regular brushing and flossing.
- Strong Adhesion: Tartar strongly bonds to the tooth surface, requiring specialized tools for removal.
- Professional Tools: Dental professionals use specialized instruments, such as scalers and ultrasonic devices, to carefully and effectively remove tartar without damaging the teeth.
Professional Tartar Removal
The process of professional tartar removal is known as scaling and root planing:
- Scaling: The dental hygienist uses instruments to remove tartar buildup above and below the gumline.
- Root Planing: This step smooths out the tooth root surfaces, preventing further tartar accumulation and helping gums reattach to the tooth.
Key Takeaways
| Feature | Plaque | Tartar |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Soft, sticky film | Hard, mineralized deposit |
| Removal | Removable by brushing and flossing | Requires professional dental cleaning |
| Formation | Daily | When plaque hardens |
| Another Name | Dental calculus |
Prevention
While you can't remove existing tartar at home, you can prevent it by:
- Brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
- Flossing daily to remove plaque between teeth.
- Maintaining regular professional dental cleanings.
- Limiting sugary and starchy foods and drinks.
