What is the Difference Between Plaque and Tartar?

By Diane Del Toro

What is the hardest substance in your body? The answer may surprise you because it is not your bones. Protecting your teeth as you chew your food, tooth enamel is the most durable substance in your body. That’s a good thing considering the human jaw can exert between 150 to 200 pounds of force per square inch.

Although your teeth are encased in enamel and can handle a lot of wear and tear, they are put at risk when you allow a buildup of plaque and tartar to form on them. That’s why it is important to know the difference between plaque and tartar and understand what you can do to prevent them from damaging your healthy teeth.

What is Plaque?

When a person eats, the sugars and starches in their food mix with bacteria and saliva, creating a sticky, colorless film called plaque. The bacteria in plaque contains acid that is very harmful to tooth enamel. Foods like candy, soda, or other sugary treats are more likely to form plaque, which can cling to a person’s teeth and gums. It can even form under the gums and around the roots of the teeth, wreaking havoc on the supporting bones and sometimes causing the loss of teeth.

When plaque forms, it is soft and can be removed with regular brushing and flossing. However, when plaque is left on teeth, it begins to harden. In fact, once plaque is formed, it takes only about fortyeight hours for it to harden.

What Is Tartar?

When plaque hardens on the teeth, it becomes something called tartar. Tartar, also referred to as calculus, is mostly made up of mineralized dead bacteria. Like plaque, tartar can develop above and below the gum line. However, unlike plaque, tartar cannot be removed with brushing and flossing. When a person develops tartar, a dental professional must use special tools to remove it from the teeth.

Tartar that has formed on the teeth makes it difficult for a person to brush and floss properly, leading to cavities, gum disease, and bone loss. This is why having tartar removed by a dentist or oral hygienist is so important to the health of the teeth and gums

Regular Cleaning and Checkups Can Help Prevent Tartar Buildup

Along with daily brushing and flossing, it is important to have a regular six-month dental checkup so that your teeth can be cleaned and polished. During your visit, the dentist will take x-rays and do a thorough exam, checking for any dental issues and providing you with important information on how to properly care for your teeth at home. Visiting your dentist on a regular basis will help you avoid expensive dental procedures down the road and help you maintain healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime.