{"id":9091,"date":"2019-09-02T08:08:07","date_gmt":"2019-09-02T07:08:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/?page_id=9091"},"modified":"2024-08-13T08:08:33","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T07:08:33","slug":"dental-plaque-tartar","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/oral-hygiene\/dental-plaque-tartar\/","title":{"rendered":"What Causes Dental Plaque and Tartar? How to Remove Plaque from Teeth."},"content":{"rendered":"

Dental plaque and tartar<\/strong> are related, but they are not the same thing. What’s the difference and what causes them? Keep reading to find out.<\/p>

One thing that plaque and tartar (calculus) do have in common is that you don’t want them staying on your teeth for long. The good news is that it’s quite simple to remove plaque at home<\/strong> with a good oral hygiene routine<\/a> and perhaps some special tooth plaque removal products. Tartar on teeth, however, will require attention from your dentist.<\/p>

In this article we explain how plaque builds up on teeth, why you should get rid of it before it hardens to tartar, and the best tools and techniques for removing plaque from teeth. We hope this information helps you understand how to take better care of your teeth and prevent oral health problems in the future.<\/p>

What is plaque?<\/h2>
\"plaque
If not removed, plaque leads to various problems with teeth<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Plaque is a sticky coating that builds up on the teeth and around the gums. A technical term for plaque is “dental biofilm”, since it contains live bacteria, as well as saliva. The gluey texture helps the bacteria stick together around your teeth and gums, where they feed on the carbohydrates left behind when you eat and drink.<\/p>

Without effective plaque removal, the bacteria breed and the biofilm spreads. As the bacteria feed, they produce acids which erode tooth enamel and harden plaque<\/strong>, contributing to a number of dental problems including:<\/p>