How to remove tartar from teeth

What is tartar and how is it different from plaque?

Cleveland Clinic says plaque is a colorless, sticky bacterial film made of bacteria, food remnants and saliva, and that some plaque is normal. New plaque forms every day, including overnight. Tartar, also called dental calculus, is hardened dental plaque, mostly mineralized dead bacteria mixed with minerals from saliva, forming above and below the gumline. Unlike plaque, tartar cannot be removed with brushing and flossing, and it can cause yellow, brown or black stains.

How to remove dental plaque

Cleveland Clinic recommends brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, using a soft-bristled brush, flossing daily and getting professional cleanings on a schedule your dentist recommends, often about every six months. Its oral hygiene page suggests brushing the tongue too. The ADA recommends cleaning between your teeth once a day with floss or another interdental cleaner. Plaque that is removed daily has no time to harden.

Can you remove tartar at home?

No. Cleveland Clinic says only a dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar, using special instruments, and that removing it yourself can damage your teeth and make you more prone to cavities. If tartar breaks off on its own, call your dentist rather than trying to remove the rest. The plaque page says not to try to scrape tartar off yourself. NIDCR says tartar can only be removed by a professional cleaning. Tools sold for scraping tartar can scratch enamel and injure the gums.

How a dentist removes tartar

Cleveland Clinic says the dentist or hygienist removes plaque and tartar with hand tools or an ultrasonic scaler, then polishes the teeth, and that sealants or fluoride may be suggested. If tartar has built up under the gums with gum disease, a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing may be needed. See our guides on teeth cleaning and gum disease.

How to get tartar off teeth at home

You cannot, but you can stop more forming. Cleveland Clinic lists brushing two to three times a day with a soft, fluoride toothpaste, flossing or using interdental brushes once a day, rinsing with an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash twice a day, avoiding smoking and other tobacco products, and professional exams and cleanings about every six months, or more often if you are prone to decay or gum disease.

Does oil pulling remove tartar?

No evidence in the sources we read says so. Healthline's oil pulling article reports small studies, a 2017 randomized trial of 40 dental students and a 2020 pilot study of 20 adults, suggesting coconut oil may reduce plaque, with the authors saying more research is needed, and does not address tartar. It says the American Dental Association does not recommend oil pulling due to a lack of supporting research. Oil pulling is not a substitute for brushing, flossing or a professional cleaning.

How long does it take for plaque to harden?

The Cleveland Clinic pages do not give a time, and say only that plaque can harden into tartar if it is not removed. Regular brushing and flossing, plus checkups, interrupt the process. See our tartar and plaque hub.

Why tartar matters for your gums

Tartar is rough and porous, so plaque sticks to it more easily and keeps the gums irritated. Cleveland Clinic says tartar can create pockets between the teeth and gums where bacteria and food debris collect, and its plaque page lists red, swollen gums that bleed when brushed as a sign of plaque build-up. Left alone, this can lead to gum disease, which our gum disease guide explains. If you see hard deposits near the gumline or your gums bleed regularly, book a professional cleaning rather than waiting for your next routine visit.

Questions to ask your dentist

Ask about your own build-up pattern.

• Where am I building up tartar, and why?
• Do I need cleanings more often than every six months?
• Do I need a deep cleaning, or is a routine one enough?
• Which toothbrush and interdental cleaner suit my mouth?
• Do my gums show signs of damage from tartar?

Frequently asked questions