Usually, if it is, it’s going to be on your lower front teeth. Sometimes this can be due to a lack of hygiene but other times it’s because of the types of bacteria that are present. Usually, if it’s above the gums it’s lighter in color but below the gums, it’s darker. Tartar on teeth can look yellow, brown, or black. By semi-permanently I mean that you cannot clean it off on your own, but your dentist or hygienist will know how to remove tartar with special instruments. Tartar is a gradual accumulation of calcified plaque that is semi-permanently fused to the tooth. If you wipe a little off with your fingernail, it will have a slimy or sticky texture. And if it’s not removed thoroughly, it only takes about 24 hours for the plaque to start calcifying into tartar.Įven though plaque is usually white, it can also take on other colors depending on the food you’re eating and how long it’s been on your teeth. That’s why we in dentistry stress brushing and flossing so often because plaque is toxic to teeth and gums. What is dental plaque exactly? Bacterial byproducts. When you have plaque, teeth have a filmy-looking white residue that can easily be wiped away. While dental plaque-induced gingivitis is reversible with improved home care after a couple of weeks, tartar buildup is more of a “permanent” problem unless you have it professionally removed by your dental provider. Plaque and tartar can lead to a cyclic infection that ultimately results in gum disease, tooth mobility, and loss. Long story short, the presence of tartar on your tooth roots will cause the adjacent gums to start detaching from your teeth - creating deep pockets - which in turn then erode the bone structure immediately next to it. When that happens (and you’re not sure how to remove tartar) you see periodontal disease start to kick in. Typically, tartar is heaviest along the gumlines, but then it slowly starts to accumulate under your gums as well.

Fast calculus buildup on front teeth