What causes plaque and tartar?

About 700 species of micro-organisms, including bacteria, live in our mouth, and some join together to form plaque. When food and saliva combine, it creates ideal conditions for oral bacteria to feed, grow and multiply, especially where the teeth and gums meet but also on the tongue and throughout the mouth. These bacteria like to feed on carbohydrates, which are found in a wide range of foods including bread, pasta, rice and potatoes, and in sugars such as sucrose in sweet treats and soft drinks. If plaque is allowed to continue accumulating, it can quickly turn into tartar – within 24 to 72 hours – as minerals from saliva find their way into the plaque biofilm.

What damage does tartar do?

Tartar is a common dental problem and much more difficult to get rid of than plaque, and this puts your oral health at greater risk, both above and below the gum line.

Calcified plaque increases the risk of:

• Tooth decay – damage to dental enamel that can lead to cavities (dental caries) – holes in teeth that cause pain, infection, and tooth loss.
• Tooth sensitivity – dental discomfort from hot or cold drinks and foods.
• Tooth discoloration – tartar can turn your teeth green, brown or black.

But the greatest risk from tartar build-up is gum disease.

Tartar and Gum Disease

The longer plaque and tartar remain on teeth, the more harmful they become, increasing the risk of gum infection from long-term exposure to bacteria. Gum disease starts as gingivitis – inflammation of the gums – and can progress to the more severe condition of periodontal disease/periodontitis. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. Periodontal infection and inflammation destroy bone and connective tissues in the jaw that hold teeth in place. Eventually, teeth can become so loose they have to be removed. Many studies indicate that gum disease can also jeopardize your overall health as infection travels from the mouth through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, including vital organs.

Who is more likely to get tartar?

Since everyone has bacterial plaque in their mouth, we’re all vulnerable to tartar build-up. However, older people and young children are more at risk, and so is anyone who:

• Eats a lot of sugary and/or starchy foods.
• Doesn’t practise diligent oral hygiene.
• Fails to get regular dental care.
• Uses tobacco products.
• Suffers from dry mouth (xerostomia).
• Has crooked or crowded teeth.

While misaligned teeth are a risk factor for tartar accumulation, so is wearing fixed braces to straighten them – it also makes it more difficult to clean your teeth properly.

Signs that you may have tartar building up

While plaque is a soft, clear or pale-yellow substance, when it calcifies into tartar it becomes hard and porous, feels crusty on your teeth, and stains your teeth as it darkens in colour.

Other signs of plaque and tartar accumulation include:

• Persistent bad breath (halitosis) – from the odour produced by toxins released by bacteria.
• Hard deposits on teeth.
• Teeth that feel slimy or fuzzy.
• Loose teeth.
• White or yellowish residue on dental floss.
• Sore gums.
• Bleeding gums.
• Red or swollen gums.

Preventive Dentistry

Dental check-ups and cleanings every six months are essential to support your oral healthcare efforts at home. Because plaque may be colourless, it can be difficult to see with the naked eye. Dentists have instruments to detect and remove plaque. Routine dental visits, including X-rays, may also reveal other dental health issues and enable early treatment. Your dentist may recommend dental sealants for back teeth to provide a protective barrier against plaque and food debris. Sealants also smooth the chewing surfaces of teeth, which makes it easier to keep them clean. You won’t be able to remove tartar at home, and you shouldn’t attempt to do so. Scratching at this cement-like substance with makeshift “dental tools” can damage your teeth and gums. A dental cleaning will eliminate any plaque and tartar deposits. Tartar can only be removed by a dental professional using special instruments.

Smoking and Plaque

You likely already know that smoking damages your general health, but you may not realise that nicotine and tar in cigarettes increase plaque and tartar accumulation, and smokers are much more likely to get gum disease. Smoking also puts you at greater risk of oral cancer.

Plaque and Tartar FAQs

At NoFrills Dental, our patients often have many questions about plaque and tartar. Here are the answers to some of their most common questions.