Dental Plaque vs Tartar: What's the Real Difference?

We hear about them at every dental visit, but let's be honest: we often mix them up.

1. Dental plaque: a reversible stage

Dental plaque is an invisible, sticky, soft film that builds up constantly on our teeth after every meal.

• What is it? A mix of saliva, food residue and bacteria.

• The danger: If left to build up, these bacteria produce acids that attack the enamel, causing cavities or bleeding gums (gingivitis).

• The good news: It is very easy to remove! Thorough brushing twice a day and flossing are enough to get rid of it.

2. Tartar: plaque that has settled in for good

Tartar is a bit like the next level up from dental plaque. When plaque isn't cleaned away, it mineralises on contact with your saliva and hardens.

• What is it? A hard deposit, often yellowish or brownish, that attaches to the teeth and below the gumline.

• The less good news: Once it has formed, tartar can't be shifted at home. Your toothbrush can no longer do anything about it.

Factors that speed up tartar

We are not all equal when it comes to tartar, and some of our daily habits give it a serious helping hand:

• Coffee and tea: As well as yellowing the enamel, they help plaque stick to the teeth.

• Tobacco: It is one of the worst enemies of your mouth. It reduces saliva production (which naturally protects the teeth) and stains tartar dark brown, making it particularly unsightly.

• Sticky, sugary foods: They act as fuel for the bacteria in plaque, which then turns into tartar more quickly.

The face-off at a glance

Characteristics	Dental plaque	Tartar
Texture	Soft and sticky	Hard and solid
Visibility	Almost invisible (whitish)	Yellow, brown or grey
Main danger	Cavities and sensitive gums	Local infections & risks to general health
Solution	Your toothbrush	Your dentist 🦷

Final word (and our smile tip)

The key to avoiding tartar is to hunt down dental plaque day after day! A good hygiene routine at home stops it from forming. And to remove what has resisted while protecting your overall health, book an appointment once or twice a year for a professional scaling. Your smile (and your body) will thank you !