When bacteria build up on your teeth and along the gum line, they become plaque. When plaque buildup isn’t removed, it can harden into tartar buildup. Tartar is hard, crusty, porous, yellow or brownish in colour and can only be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist. Plaque and tartar buildup can cause gingivitis, so it’s important to take care of it early.
Plaque is that thin, sticky film that forms on your teeth every day. If it’s not removed through brushing and flossing and rinsing with a mouthwash, plaque on teeth can lead to cavities, bad breath, and gum inflammation.
Plaque is usually colorless or pale yellow, but you can feel it. It can feel like a fuzzy coating on your teeth along the gumline. As bacteria multiply, plaque becomes more noticeable, sometimes less than 24 hours after brushing.
Plaque is soft and easy to remove at home. Tartar is hardened plaque that sticks to teeth and needs a dentist to remove it. Once tartar forms, it creates an environment for even more buildup.
Brush and floss daily and rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash like LISTERINE TOTAL CARE ZERO®. It kills 99.9% of germs that cause bad breath, plaque, and gingivitis, and has 5x more cleaning power than brushing and flossing alone, based on bad breath germs.
Mouthwash doesn’t just freshen breath — it kills plaque-causing bacteria and helps prevent tartar. Bonus: mouthwash provides a 360 clean and helps reach hard-to-reach areas toothbrushing may miss.
Plaque starts forming hours after you eat. If you’re not brushing, flossing, and rinsing twice a day, it sticks around. It’s not only about removing plaque, but also about stopping it from coming back.
Stay consistent: brush, floss, and rinse twice daily with a tartar-control mouthwash like LISTERINE TOTAL CARE ZERO®. And don’t skip dental check-ups. They’re key for removing tartar buildup.
