Key Facts Tartar, also known as dental calculus, is a hard, crusty deposit that forms on the teeth Tartar is formed from plaque, a soft, sticky substance that accumulates on the teeth Plaque and tartar contain bacteria, which can lead to various oral health issues if not removed Professional dental cleaning is necessary to remove tartar What is Tartar? Tartar, or dental calculus, is a hard, calcified deposit that forms on the teeth. It is the result of the mineralization of dental plaque, which is a biofilm of bacteria and food debris that regularly forms on the tooth surface. Tartar can form above or below the gum line. When tartar…