Gloss & Floss Answers · Oral Health & Prevention

What is tartar and why do we get it?

Author: Gloss & Floss Dental Care® · Clinically reviewed by a dentist at Gloss & Floss Dental Care®

Short answer

Tartar is hardened dental plaque that has mineralised on the teeth, often along the gumline or between teeth. We get tartar when soft plaque is not removed thoroughly and minerals in saliva help it harden over time. Unlike plaque, tartar cannot be brushed away at home. It usually needs professional removal by a dentist or dental hygienist to protect the gums and make daily cleaning easier.

Why tartar matters

Tartar is common, but it should not be ignored. Once plaque has hardened into tartar, it creates a rough surface where more plaque can collect. This can irritate the gums, contribute to bleeding, bad breath and inflammation, and make home cleaning less effective.

Tartar does not always hurt. Many patients only notice it as a rough feeling behind the lower front teeth, yellow or brown deposits, bleeding gums or persistent bad breath. A dental hygienist can usually identify and remove tartar before it contributes to deeper gum problems.

How tartar forms

Dental plaque is a soft bacterial biofilm that forms naturally on teeth every day. If plaque is not removed with brushing and interdental cleaning, it can absorb minerals from saliva and gradually harden into tartar, also called calculus.

Tartar often forms in areas where saliva flow is strong, such as behind the lower front teeth and near the upper molars. It can also form under the gumline, where it is harder to see and more closely linked to gum inflammation and periodontal disease.

Why do some people get tartar more easily?

Plaque is not removed thoroughly every day
Cleaning between teeth is missed or difficult
Saliva mineral content makes plaque harden faster
Teeth are crowded or difficult to access
Dental restorations create plaque-retentive areas
Fixed retainers, bridges or implants need special cleaning techniques
Smoking or nicotine use increases staining and gum risk
Dry mouth changes the oral environment and plaque control
Diet, snacking frequency and oral hygiene routines are not balanced
Regular dental hygienist maintenance has been delayed

Types of tartar

Type	Where it forms	Why it matters
Supragingival tartar	Above the gumline, often visible on the teeth.	Can feel rough, collect stains and irritate the gumline.
Subgingival tartar	Below the gumline, often hidden inside gum pockets.	Can contribute to deeper gum inflammation and requires professional assessment.
Stained tartar	Often around areas exposed to coffee, tea, tobacco or pigments.	May look yellow, brown or dark and can be confused with tooth staining.
Tartar around retainers or restorations	Near fixed wires, crowns, bridges, implants or difficult-to-clean areas.	Needs adapted cleaning tools and regular professional maintenance.

Can you remove tartar at home?

No. Once plaque has hardened into tartar, normal brushing and flossing cannot remove it safely. Trying to scrape tartar at home with sharp tools can damage enamel, gums, restorations or implants.

Home care is still important because it removes soft plaque before it hardens. The safest approach is to prevent new tartar while having existing tartar removed professionally.

What can tartar lead to?

Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
Red, swollen or tender gums
Bad breath or bad taste
More plaque build-up because the tooth surface feels rough
Gingivitis, which means gum inflammation
Deeper gum pockets if inflammation progresses
Increased difficulty cleaning between teeth
Staining and visible deposits
Higher risk of gum disease in susceptible patients

What affects the answer?

How quickly plaque hardens in your mouth
Where tartar forms
Whether tartar is above or below the gumline
Whether the gums bleed or feel swollen
Whether there are gum pockets or bone loss
Whether you smoke or use nicotine products
Whether you have dry mouth or take medication affecting saliva
Whether you have crowded teeth, implants, bridges or fixed retainers
How often you clean between the teeth
How long it has been since your last dental hygienist visit

What happens at Gloss & Floss?

At Gloss & Floss Dental Care® in Södermalm, Stockholm, tartar is assessed together with gum health, plaque levels, bleeding points, cleaning access and oral-hygiene habits. If there are signs of deeper gum disease, the dentist or hygienist may also check pocket depths and recommend X-rays.

Tartar removal may include gentle scaling, professional cleaning, polishing, AirFlow when suitable and personalised advice on interdental brushes, floss, electric toothbrush technique or other tools. For English-speaking patients, we explain the difference between plaque, tartar, gingivitis, gum pockets and periodontal disease in clear language.

How can you reduce tartar build-up?

Brush twice daily with careful technique at the gumline
Clean between teeth every day
Use interdental brushes in the correct size if recommended
Do not skip areas that bleed mildly
Ask a dental hygienist to show where you miss plaque
Book professional cleaning before deposits become heavy
Keep fixed retainers, bridges and implants under regular maintenance
Manage dry mouth if saliva changes make plaque control harder
Reduce smoking or nicotine-related gum risk when possible
Attend recall visits based on your individual risk level

When should you seek care?

Book a dental hygienist or dentist appointment if you feel rough deposits on your teeth, see yellow or brown build-up, notice bleeding gums, have bad breath, see gum recession, feel food trapping or have not had tartar removed for a long time. Seek assessment sooner if bleeding, swelling, pus, loose teeth or deep gum pockets are suspected.

Frequently asked questions

Is tartar the same as plaque?

No. Plaque is soft bacterial biofilm that can usually be removed with brushing and interdental cleaning. Tartar is hardened plaque that needs professional removal.

Why do I get tartar even though I brush?

You may still miss plaque between teeth, behind lower front teeth or near the gumline. Some people also form tartar faster because of saliva composition, tooth position or cleaning access.

Can tartar cause bleeding gums?

Yes. Tartar can irritate the gumline and hold bacteria close to the gums, which can contribute to inflammation and bleeding.

Can tartar cause bad breath?

Yes. Tartar and plaque-retentive areas can contribute to bad breath, especially if gum inflammation, food trapping or poor interdental cleaning is also present.

How often should tartar be removed?

The interval varies. Some patients need hygienist maintenance once or twice a year, while others with gum disease, heavy tartar formation, implants or risk factors may need more frequent care.

Is tartar removal painful?

Many patients tolerate tartar removal well, but sensitivity can occur if gums are inflamed or deposits are deep. Tell the hygienist if you are sensitive or anxious so the treatment can be adjusted.

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Disclaimer

This article provides general information from Gloss & Floss Dental Care® in Stockholm. It does not replace an individual dental examination, periodontal assessment, dental hygienist treatment, diagnosis, X-ray review or personalised oral-hygiene instruction.

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