Plaque vs. Tartar: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to dental health, one of the most important things you can do is to make sure you keep your teeth free of plaque and tartar. It’s safe to say that most people understand that these kinds of gunky buildup are bad for our teeth, but there are many misconceptions about the differences between plaque and tartar including how to identify them and how they can be safely removed.
Facts About Plaque
Dental plaque is a thin layer of bacteria, food, and saliva that forms on the surface of teeth after eating or drinking. When left in the mouth, these bacterias produce acids that harm and degrade the protective enamel of the tooth.
Importantly, this tends to happen more often when we consume food and drinks that are full of sugar because sugar is a magnet for the bad types of bacteria that produce acids.
Some signs of plaque buildup on teeth that help distinguish plaque vs. tartar include:
- Teeth feeling fuzzy or slimy
- Bad breath
- Gums bleeding while flossing
Facts About Tartar
Tatar, also known as dental calculus, is not the same as plaque. However, it is formed from plaque that sits on teeth for too long. This plaque gets mixed together with the minerals in the salvia to form a hard layer of tartar. Similar to plaque, tartar can form on the surface of the teeth and in between the gum line.
Some signs of tartar buildup on teeth include:
- Raised & swollen gums
- Feeling rough patches on the teeth
- Teeth discoloration (especially near the gumline & in between teeth)
What’s the Difference Between Plaque & Tartar?
One of the main differences between plaque vs. tartar is that each substance is formed through a different process. Plaque forms throughout the day as we eat and drink, and tartar only forms if plaque is not being removed through daily brushing and flossing.
Plaque and tartar also look different on the teeth. Plaque is typically colorless, while tartar tends to have a yellow or brown appearance.
Besides the process of formation and the way they look, the removal process for plaque vs. tartar is also very different. Tartar buildup is actually much more difficult to remove from the teeth than plaque. In fact, tartar can only safely be removed by a dental professional. A dentist or dental hygienist can remove the substance through a process called scaling.
How to Protect Your Kid’s Teeth
Even though plaque and tartar are different, when both are left untreated, they can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. That’s why it is important to take steps to stay on top of your kid’s dental health every day.
If your little one has a consistent dental hygiene routine that includes brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day, they are off to a pretty good start. It is also helpful to try to minimize your child’s sugar intake to limit plaque formation right from the get-go.
Last but not least, it’s important to make sure your kiddo goes to the dentist at least twice a year so the dentist can remove hard-to-reach plaque and any tartar buildup.
