What you should know about tartar on teeth
Dental tartar is a hard mineral deposit on the teeth that forms when bacterial plaque is not removed by daily cleaning. Calcium and phosphate salts from saliva seep into the bacterial biofilm and harden it into a crystalline layer that brushing cannot remove. The rough, porous surface of tartar then attracts more harmful bacteria, which speeds up gum disease.
There are two main types of deposit: supragingival tartar, visible above the gum line, yellowish or brown; and subgingival tartar, below the edge of the gum, darker because it contains breakdown products of blood from bleeding gums. Subgingival deposits are hidden and are detected during a periodontal examination with a fine probe.
| Criterion | Above the gum line | Below the gum line |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Above the gum line | Below the edge of the gum |
| Color | Yellowish or brown | Darker |
| Detection | Direct visual examination | Periodontal probe, X-rays when needed |
How does tartar form?
Tartar starts to form within days when soft plaque is left on the tooth surface.
Saliva is rich in calcium and phosphate. These minerals build up in the plaque biofilm and gradually harden it, making it more and more difficult to brush away. The process is fastest near the openings of the salivary glands, for example behind the lower front teeth.
What causes tartar build-up?
Saliva composition
People whose saliva is rich in calcium and phosphate tend to form tartar faster, even with reasonable oral hygiene. The flow of saliva, which varies from person to person, also affects how well the mouth rinses itself. Some general conditions, such as diabetes or hormonal changes, can change the properties of saliva.
Hard-to-reach areas
Crowded teeth, fixed braces or poorly fitting fillings and crowns make daily plaque removal harder, so plaque stays longer and hardens. Smoking and a diet rich in simple sugars also change the plaque and speed up its hardening.
How does tartar affect oral health?
Hardened deposits on the teeth are an ideal surface for harmful bacteria, which cause chronic inflammation of the gums.
01
Gingivitis
The rough surface of tartar on teeth keeps plaque in place, creating a cycle of build-up and inflammation. The direct result is gingivitis: redness, swelling and bleeding when brushing. Without treatment, it can progress to periodontitis, which destroys the tissues that support the tooth.
02
Gum pockets
When tartar reaches below the gum, the small space between the gum and the tooth becomes a focus of bacterial activity. Bacterial toxins break down the gum attachment and the supporting bone, and the pocket deepens. During a periodontal examination the depth of the pockets is measured and recorded, which shows how severe the condition is and guides treatment.
03
Other effects
Tartar can also lead to tooth sensitivity when receding gums expose the root, bad breath and staining. In severe cases, a gum abscess or loose teeth due to bone loss may develop.
What happens in the mouth when tartar builds up?
Gum disease linked to tartar is the body's inflammatory response to the bacteria living in and on the deposits. Bacterial toxins trigger the release of inflammatory messengers in the gums; blood vessels become more permeable, white blood cells are recruited and bone-resorbing cells are activated around the tooth. Tartar below the gum also acts as a physical barrier that prevents the gum from reattaching to the tooth.
The same inflammation breaks down the collagen fibers of the gum, which leads to gum recession and deeper periodontal pockets. Observational studies have also found an association between gum disease and cardiovascular disease, but according to the American Heart Association a causal link has not been shown (Lockhart et al., 2012). In people with type 2 diabetes, treating gum disease slightly lowered average blood sugar (about 0.4% in HbA1c after 3 to 4 months, according to a Cochrane review). These findings underline that tartar removal is part of looking after your general health.
How does tartar affect your gums over time?
Tartar acts as a constant reservoir of bacterial toxins that seep into the gums and maintain chronic inflammation. When the disease reaches the stage of periodontitis, deep gum pockets form, attachment and bone are lost (visible on X-rays) and teeth may become loose. Such cases are usually treated by a periodontist.
The link between tartar and gum disease is not the same for everyone: it depends on genetics, environment and habits. Some people develop significant gum damage with little tartar, others progress more slowly. In every case, regular professional tartar removal remains the key to preventing irreversible damage to the supporting tissues. In advanced periodontitis, treatment may involve scaling and root planing and sometimes gum surgery; antibiotics, if needed, are prescribed only by the clinician.
Signs of tartar on your teeth
The early signs of tartar build-up are often visible or noticeable at home:
- A rough or hard surface on the teeth, especially on the inner side of the lower front teeth
- A yellow, brown or black line along the gums
- Gums that bleed on their own or when brushing, a sign of early gingivitis
- Tender, swollen gums where they meet the teeth
- Bad breath that does not go away despite regular brushing
- A metallic or unpleasant taste in the mouth, especially in the morning
A dark or black line along the gums or between the teeth is usually black tartar: subgingival tartar, darkened by traces of blood from bleeding gums. It can only be removed by a professional cleaning.
At the clinic, when needed, bitewing or periapical X-rays help locate deep deposits and assess the bone around the teeth.
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
Tartar removal: why a professional cleaning matters
Professional tartar removal is the foundation of every program to prevent and treat gum disease.
A professional dental cleaning removes tartar above and below the gums, together with the bacterial film covering it. Home brushing removes only soft plaque, whereas a cleaning by the clinic's hygienist reaches below the gum line and breaks up the hardened deposits. This is not only mechanical: it restores a healthier balance of bacteria in the mouth, lets the gums heal and stops further periodontal damage.
How is tartar treated?
Professional tartar treatment has two main stages: scaling above and below the gum line, then polishing; in gum disease, root planing is added.
1. Scaling above and below the gum line
Scaling mainly uses ultrasonic instruments that vibrate rapidly, with a constant water spray that helps break up the deposits and rinse the area. The vibrations break the crystal structure of the tartar so it can be removed with minimal trauma to the soft tissue. Hand instruments are used alongside them for precise work between the teeth and between the roots, where the ultrasonic tip has limited access. Disclosing dyes are sometimes used to show areas of remaining plaque. Finally, the teeth are polished with a mildly abrasive paste and rotating rubber cups, which removes surface stains and makes it harder for new plaque to stick.
2. Scaling and root planing
For deep deposits below the gums or chronic periodontitis, a systematic scaling and root planing is needed, usually one section of the mouth at a time and sometimes under local anesthesia for comfort. It takes longer and requires precision, since the roots must be cleaned deep below the gum without damaging the supporting tissues. After cleaning, the clinician may rinse the gum pockets with an antiseptic solution to reduce the remaining bacteria.
3. Complementary approaches
Complementary technologies, such as some lasers, have been proposed to disinfect gum pockets. They do not replace mechanical cleaning, and their added benefit is still uncertain. The clinic does not use lasers: tartar is removed with ultrasonic and hand instruments. In advanced gum disease, the clinician may also consider an antibiotic as an add-on to mechanical cleaning: it is given by prescription only, and it never replaces tartar removal.
How can you prevent tartar on teeth?
The most effective prevention is to remove plaque carefully every day, before it hardens into tartar. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between the teeth once a day, with floss or another interdental cleaner. Regular check-ups and professional cleanings, at a frequency based on your mouth and personal risk, remove the tartar that has already formed before it harms the gums. For practical tips, see our guide to healthy teeth and gums.
Tartar removal is available at our clinic at 12 HaTnufa Street in Talpiot, south Jerusalem, open Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00. After the examination you receive a written treatment plan and estimate, and itemized receipts you can submit to your insurer (coverage depends on your policy).
Tartar on teeth: frequently asked questions
Removing tartar above the gum line is usually not painful, although the teeth may feel sensitive, especially when the gums are inflamed. Deep cleaning below the gums is sometimes done under local anesthesia for comfort. Mild sensitivity in the days after the cleaning is common and usually passes.
Tartar forms mainly where the toothbrush does not clean well: between the teeth, along the gum line and behind the lower front teeth, opposite the openings of the salivary glands. The composition of saliva also plays a role: some people build up tartar faster than others, even with reasonable oral hygiene.
How often you need tartar removal depends on the condition of your mouth and your personal risk of decay and gum disease. For many people this means a check-up and cleaning every six months; others need it more or less often, as the dentist recommends.
Tartar cannot be removed by brushing at home: it is removed during a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist, with ultrasonic and hand instruments (scaling). At home you can only slow its formation, by brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between your teeth every day.
Tartar keeps bacteria in contact with the gums, which causes gingivitis: red, swollen gums that bleed easily. Left untreated, the inflammation can progress to periodontitis, with deeper gum pockets, bone loss, gum recession and, eventually, loose teeth. Tartar can also contribute to bad breath and staining.
Sources
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), Plaque – View the source
- American Dental Association, Home Oral Care, 2024 – View the source
- Lockhart PB et al., Circulation (American Heart Association), 2012 – View the study
- Simpson TC et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2022 – View the study
- Fee PA et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020 – View the study
