Plaque and tartar: what’s the difference?
Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth every day. It is colourless or pale yellow, and you can usually feel it as a fuzzy coating when you run your tongue over your teeth. Brushing and flossing remove it.
Tartar, also called dental calculus, is plaque that has hardened. When plaque is left on the teeth, minerals from your saliva harden it into a rough, chalky deposit, often within a day or two. Tartar is usually yellow or brown and tends to collect behind the lower front teeth and along the gum line.
| Plaque | Tartar | |
| Texture | Soft and sticky | Hard and rough |
| Colour | Clear to pale yellow | Yellow, brown or dark |
| Removed by | Brushing and flossing | A dental professional only |
Why brushing can’t remove tartar
Tartar bonds firmly to the tooth surface, so toothbrush bristles and floss simply slide over it. Its rough, porous texture also makes it easy for new plaque to stick, which is why tartar keeps growing once it forms.
Left alone, tartar along and below the gum line irritates the gums. This can lead to bleeding, swelling and bad breath, and over time to gum disease, which can loosen teeth. Whitening toothpastes and DIY scraping tools won’t fix it, and scraping at home can damage your enamel and gums.
How deep cleaning works
A routine scale and polish removes tartar above the gum line. When tartar has built up below the gums, your dentist may recommend a deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing.
- Assessment. Your dentist measures the gaps between your teeth and gums to see how far the tartar and inflammation go.
- Scaling. An ultrasonic scaler uses gentle vibration and water to break up tartar above and below the gum line.
- Root planing. The root surfaces are smoothed so gums can heal and reattach, and bacteria find it harder to settle.
- Follow-up. Your gums are checked again after a few weeks to make sure they are healing well.
Deep cleaning is often done under local anaesthetic and may be split over two visits. Mild tenderness for a day or two afterwards is normal. Learn more about our gum treatment in Dubai.
What is AirFlow cleaning?
AirFlow is a modern cleaning method that uses a fine stream of warm water, air and a very fine powder to wash away plaque, biofilm and surface stains. It reaches gaps between teeth, around braces and implants, and just below the gum line, without the scraping feel of traditional polishing.
AirFlow is excellent at removing soft deposits and stains, while an ultrasonic scaler handles hard tartar. Used together, they give a thorough, comfortable clean that many patients find gentler than a traditional scale and polish. A professional clean is also a good first step before whitening, as whitening works best on clean teeth.
How often should you have a professional clean?
Most people benefit from a professional teeth cleaning every six months. If you have gum disease, braces, implants or build tartar quickly, your dentist may suggest every three to four months.
Book a cleaning in Motor City
Feel a rough edge behind your front teeth, or notice bleeding when you brush? Book a consultation at Acer Dental Clinic, Turin Boulevard, Motor City, or call/WhatsApp +971 582 344 055.
