What’s the Difference Between Plaque and Tartar?
Most people think that plaque and tartar are the same things. They use the words interchangeably to refer to the film that covers our teeth if we don’t brush and floss daily. But plaque and tartar are different dental conditions with different implications on our oral health. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between plaque and tartar and how to prevent the conditions.
What is Plaque?
Plaque is the soft, sticky film that coats our teeth and gums over a day. It is the reason for the fuzzy feeling you may sometimes get when you run your tongue over your teeth. Naturally occurring bacteria in our mouths are the causes of plaque. When we eat, these bacteria also eat the food in our mouths. They release acids to break down and digest the carbohydrates in sugary or starchy foods. The combination of bacteria, acids, and food particles forms the sticky substance called plaque. Chronic bad breath, bleeding gums, or red and swollen gums are the main symptoms of plaque. The acids from the bacteria destroy teeth enamel eventually causing cavities and gingivitis.
Everyone gets plaque but it occurs more frequently in people that eat a lot of sugary foods, smokers, and those with chronic dry mouth. If you brush and floss your teeth daily, plaque is easy to get rid of and keep under control.
What is Tartar?
Plaque that hasn’t been removed builds up over several days and weeks into a hardened, hard-to-remove substance called tartar. This is why it is important to brush and floss our teeth daily. To prevent plaque from forming into tartar. Untreated tartar will cause cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, tooth infections, and tooth decay. Tartar on our gums or roots of our teeth can weaken the bones that support the teeth and eventually cause tooth loss.
So how to remove tartar from teeth? Tartar can only be removed by a dental professional. They have special tools that they can use to scrape off the substance.
The Similarities and Differences Between Plaque and Tartar
Plaque and tartar have some similarities which is why many people confuse them. Both are dental conditions that form on the teeth and gums. Poor oral hygiene makes both conditions worse. That is where the similarities end. The main difference between plaque and tartar is that you can easily remove plaque through daily brushing and flossing but tartar can only be removed by a dental professional. Plaque is a sticky film whereas tartar is a hardened brown substance on the teeth. Another difference is that tartar tends to form along the gum line leading to receding gums and gum disease. Plaque forms mainly on the teeth.
How To Prevent and Treat Plaque and Tartar
The main reason why dentists recommend that we brush and floss our teeth is to get rid of plaque and prevent tartar. Brushing teeth twice a day or after every meal gets rid of problematic bacteria, food stuck on the teeth and any plaque that has formed. Flossing every night after your last meal is also important as it gets rid of any food stuck in between teeth. Dentists recommend flossing first before brushing your teeth in the evening. This removes the most amount of plaque.
Chewing sugar-free gum after meals also helps to clean up the mouth and reduce the amount of plaque-causing bacteria in the mouth. If you are unable to brush your teeth during the day, chewing gum is a great alternative.
Another way to prevent plaque and tartar is to get your teeth professionally cleaned by a dentist once or twice a year. There are certain areas of our teeth we can’t clean by ourselves so dentists can get to these areas and remove any tartar that has formed.
If you are prone to plaque, it may be a good idea to reduce the amount of sugar and starch that you consume. Instead of snacks and soft drinks choose to eat lean meat, vegetables, fruits, and water. Also, use fluoride toothpaste when brushing your teeth as the fluoride prevents tooth decay and slows the growth of plaque-causing bacteria.
High pH mouthwashes and rinses are also a good way to wash away bacteria and restore a healthy PH balance in the mouth. If you suffer from persistent plaque, your dentist can recommend special dental sealants, dry mouth medications, fluoride treatments, prescription toothpaste, and antibacterial mouthwash.
Key Takeaway on The Difference Between Plaque and Tartar
Plaque is a sticky film that occurs in all everyone’s mouth and can be easily removed by daily brushing and flossing. If you don’t remove plaque daily it forms into a hard-to-remove substance called tartar. The key differences between plaque and tartar are that tartar is a hard substance that is very hard to remove. Plaque on the other hand is a soft biofilm that you can easily brush off. To prevent plaque and tartar it is important to practice daily oral hygiene and visit the dentist twice a year for dental cleanup. If you want to learn more on how to create an effective oral hygiene routine that prevents cavies, grab a free copy of Why Me?