Plaque vs. Tartar

You may hear the words “plaque” and “tartar” and think they are the same substance, but they are not. What is the difference between the two–plaque vs. tartar? They are similar in that both are harmful to the tooth enamel.  And, they are related. When plaque builds up and hardens, it can develop into tartar, which can cause cavities and lead to gum disease without proper oral hygiene.

It’s important to know the difference between plaque and tartar, how to prevent both, and what to do if you notice buildup on your teeth. At Hamby Family Dental Center, your Fuquay-Varina dentist, we work with our patients on dental hygiene routines that will decrease the amount of plaque and tartar on your teeth. In this article, we discuss important aspects of the two.

Plaque

Everyone gets plaque on their teeth. It’s normal to produce plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. However, if you fail to remove plaque with routine dental cleanings and daily brushing and flossing, it can cause cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues.

What Tooth Plaque Is Made Of

Plaque is formed from bacteria, leftover food particles, and saliva. Bacteria in your mouth feed on food debris like sugars and carbohydrates. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), plaque contains more than 500 species of bacteria, some of which are good and some are bad for your mouth. The bacteria break food down into a sticky, acidic film that is plaque. 

Harmful bacteria produce acids after you eat or drink, especially when you eat or drink something sugary. The acids attack the enamel on your teeth which can lead to more serious issues for your dental and your overall health. 

Complications of Dental Plaque

If you don’t remove the plaque, it hardens on your teeth and turns into calculus, also known as tartar. Only a dental professional can remove tartar. Extreme dental plaque and tartar can lead to:

• Cavities
• Gingivitis
• Tooth infection
• Tooth loss

Preventing Plaque Buildup

Look for signs of plaque on your teeth, including:

• Chronic bad breath
• Teeth that feel fuzzy or slimy
• White or yellow substance on dental floss
• Bleeding or painful gums

A person’s risk of developing plaque and gum disease is higher due to these factors:

• Not brushing or flossing teeth regularly
• Having genetic risk factors for tooth decay
• Smoking
• Having certain lifestyle risk factors like eating a high-sugar diet or having high stress levels
• Not seeking regular dental care
• Wearing oral appliances such as braces or retainers that make it more difficult to clean the teeth thoroughly

To prevent plaque buildup, you should:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day
• Floss every day
• Limit sugary foods and drinks, or brush your teeth after consuming sugar
• See a dentist every six months for a checkup and routine cleaning

Tartar

When you don’t remove plaque, it calcifies from the calcium and other minerals in the saliva and becomes hard. This hard plaque is called tartar or calculus. Tartar can stain the teeth and make them look discolored. It also traps plaque and increases the risk of developing more tartar. Plaque and tartar can cause gingivitis and periodontitis. Chronic exposure to the bacteria in plaque causes inflammation in the gum tissue. This can trigger bleeding, pain, redness, and infections. 

When you notice tartar, you should continue to brush and floss regularly. Pay particular attention to brushing the gumline. You may have tartar if you notice:

• Discolored spots on your teeth, especially near the gums or in between teeth
• Hard, rough patches on your teeth
• Swollen, painful, or bloody gums

Tartar might be off-white or yellow at first. After a while, it turns the color of whatever foods or substances you consume. For example, certain things can make tartar look darker, such as:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Red wine
• Smoking
• Chewing tobacco

Removing Tartar

Removing plaque and tartar can help treat gum disease and prevent it from worsening. You can’t brush or floss tartar away on your own. Tartar is extremely hard. Only dental professionals can remove tartar with professional cleaning. If plaque and tartar buildup are significant, a dentist will recommend scaling and root planing to remove it under the gums to prevent more buildup.

Management and Treatment

During a bi-annual dental checkup, a dentist or hygienist will use special instruments to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. They may also recommend:

• Dental sealants to keep plaque from forming on the chewing surfaces of your teeth
• Dry mouth treatments to increase saliva production
• Fluoride treatments to slow the growth of plaque-causing bacteria and reduce your risk of tooth decay
• Prescription toothpaste or antibacterial mouthwash

Ways to Reduce Dental Plaque

To remove plaque, visit your dentist regularly and practice good oral hygiene.

Here are ways you can reduce plaque from teeth:

• Floss daily – Flossing once a day with dental floss to get rid of food and plaque, before brushing, removes more plaque.
• Brush two times per day – Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Chew sugarless gum – If you can’t brush soon after eating or drinking, chew sugar-free gum. Select a gum that has the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance.
• Choose healthy foods –  Cut back on sugary, starchy foods and drinks. Choose nutritious foods and snacks such as plain yogurt, cheese, raw vegetables or fruit.
• See your dentist regularly –  Get dental checkups and cleanings at least twice a year.
• Use mouthwash – Rinse daily with an over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription antiseptic mouthwash.

Contact Hamby Family Dental Center to Schedule Your Regular Dental Checkups

Our professional team at Hamby Family Dental Center can clean the plaque and tartar off your teeth in a regular bi-annual checkup and we can properly diagnose any dental and oral issues from plaque buildup you may be experiencing. Contact us today to schedule a cleaning or other appointment by calling  919-552-2431 or completing the form below.