You might have heard your dentist discussing the plaque and tartar on your teeth. Though these two are closely related, there is an important difference between them.
Plaque is the name applied to the film of bacteria that grows on every surface in your mouth. This bacteria is responsible for tooth decay and gum disease. Fortunately, removing plaque is a simple matter of brushing your teeth.
Tartar, or calculus, is what plaque turns into if it is allowed to remain on your teeth for too long. The plaque has hardened into a resilient shell on your tooth. When a tooth ceases to feel smooth to the touch and begins to take on a rough texture, you probably have tartar. Tartar can no longer be removed through conventional brushing, and needs to be removed by your dentist in a process called scaling. When you begin to develop tartar, visit our International District dentist to restore your pearly-whites to their former glory.