Tartar (dental calculus) explained
What is tartar?
Tartar, also known as dental calculus, is hardened dental plaque. Minerals from saliva can build up in soft plaque and harden it. New plaque can cling to the rough deposit, making the gum line more difficult to clean. [1]
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How tartar forms and what it looks like
A film made up of components in saliva forms on the surface of the tooth. Bacteria can attach to this film and form soft plaque. If plaque is not removed thoroughly over time, it can absorb minerals and harden into tartar. Discolouration can have other causes, and soft plaque is not always easy to see. The distinction matters because you can remove soft plaque with daily cleaning, while mineralised deposits are more firmly attached. Pay particular attention to the gum line, where deposits are easy to miss. [1] smileDentity offers preventive dental care as part of its treatment range.
Where hard deposits often appear
Tartar can form on different surfaces of the teeth. It often collects near the openings of the salivary glands, for example on the inside of the lower front teeth. You may feel a rough edge there with your tongue. The texture alone cannot tell you whether it is tartar, staining or another change. Deposits below the gum line are often hard to spot at home. Arrange an examination if an unusual area persists, changes or the gum next to it bleeds repeatedly. [1]
How can I tell tartar from soft plaque?
Soft plaque is a biofilm that careful brushing and cleaning between the teeth can break up and remove. Tartar adheres firmly to the tooth. Colour and shape alone are not enough to identify every stain or deposit reliably. [1]
What kind of cleaning is appropriate?
At a check-up, the dental team can determine where the tartar is and whether other findings need attention. Dental instruments can remove firmly attached deposits. Depending on the service and your findings, professional teeth cleaning can include other steps, such as cleaning hard-to-reach surfaces and advising on daily oral hygiene. Deposits in deeper gum pockets are assessed as part of periodontal treatment. The appropriate approach therefore depends on the examination. If an area still feels rough after cleaning, or your gums continue to bleed, mention it at your next contact with the practice. [1] [2]
What tartar can tell you about your gums
Hard deposits can make cleaning around the gum line more difficult because new plaque can attach to the rough surface. Visible tartar alone cannot establish whether you have periodontitis. Gingivitis mainly affects the gum line, while periodontitis also affects the structures supporting the tooth. To distinguish them, the dental team examines the gums and measures the gum pockets if needed. Bleeding when you brush, increasing gum recession or a loose tooth are reasons to have an examination even when the deposits look small. [1] [2]
Tartar removal and professional teeth cleaning
Removing hard deposits and professional teeth cleaning are different services. Professional cleaning may include additional steps depending on the findings. Hard deposits beneath the gum line may need a different approach as part of periodontal treatment. [1] [2]
Why avoid scraping it off yourself?
Sharp tools can injure the gums and damage tooth surfaces. Have hard deposits assessed by your dental team, especially if the gum repeatedly bleeds in the same area. [1]
How to limit further build-up
The aim of daily oral care is to remove soft plaque before it can build up over time. Clean along the gum line and between the teeth. Floss or correctly sized interdental brushes may be suitable, depending on the available space and how easily you can reach it. Ask your dental team to demonstrate the technique if a device does not fit, hurts the gums or deposits keep returning in the same places. Professional cleaning does not replace daily care. Even careful brushing cannot reliably remove tartar once it has hardened. How often you should attend a check-up depends on your findings and your individual risk. [1] [2]
What to tell your dentist at the next appointment
Tell the dental team when you first noticed the area and whether it bleeds or hurts when you brush. If you are unsure, show them the exact spot and leave the deposit in place. After the examination, ask which surfaces you could reach more effectively when brushing and whether the gums need specific treatment. If you have periodontitis, the discussion also covers planning your follow-up care. [1] [2]
How do we work at smileDentity?
Andreas Haas, M.Sc., and the dental team distinguish between removing deposits and treating disease of the tissues that support the teeth. If you have previously had periodontal treatment, you can bring your latest findings so the team can compare any changes with earlier measurements.
A preventive appointment at smileDentity can establish whether hard deposits mainly collect in areas you find difficult to reach or whether the gums are also inflamed. It helps to point out where bleeding recurs despite regular brushing. The team can then assess whether advice on cleaning between the teeth is sufficient or a periodontal examination is appropriate. [1] [2]
At smileDentity, we show you where plaque collects on the affected teeth. The technique you need depends on whether the area is behind the lower front teeth or between the back teeth.
Related treatments and information at smileDentity
Related services
Related entries in the smileDentity glossary
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Removing soft plaque regularly is important for prevention. The appropriate interval between check-ups depends on your findings.
A toothbrush helps remove soft plaque and limit further build-up. Once plaque has hardened, normal brushing usually cannot remove it. A dental check-up can establish whether the rough area is tartar and how it should be treated.
Bleeding can be a sign of gum inflammation. Areas that are hard to reach can be missed even with regular cleaning. An examination helps distinguish inflammation at the surface from deeper problems. Repeated bleeding should be assessed.
Hard deposits can look light or dark. An examination can determine whether the cause is tartar, a surface stain or another change in the tooth. [1]
Questions about your findings?
At an appointment, we can discuss the findings, possible next steps and alternatives.
Author: Andreas Haas, M.Sc.
English translation of the clinically reviewed German article.