Tartar, also known as dental calculus, is a hardened deposit of plaque and minerals that forms on the teeth. It is caused by bacteria in the mouth that feed on sugars and starches in food. Tartar can cause gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health problems.
Tartar can be removed from teeth by a dentist using a variety of methods, including scaling and root planing. Scaling involves using a scaler to remove tartar from the teeth above the gum line. Root planing involves using a curette to remove tartar from the teeth below the gum line. Both scaling and root planing are typically performed under local anesthesia.