When your vet looks at your pet's teeth and mentions "plaque" or "tartar," it is important to know the difference. Understanding these two stages of dental buildup is the first step in avoiding serious oral health issues.
Plaque: The Sticky Enemy
Plaque is a soft, sticky film composed of bacteria, saliva, and food particles that constantly forms on the teeth. It is practically invisible at first, but it is the root cause of bad breath and early gum irritation. The good news: Plaque is soft enough to be wiped or brushed away with a regular at-home hygiene routine.
💡 Stop Plaque in its Tracks:
Plaque begins forming within hours after eating. To effectively manage it before it hardens, we recommend using our Oral Care Gel.
Tartar: The Hard Reality
If plaque is not removed within 24 to 72 hours, it absorbs minerals from the pet's saliva and hardens into tartar (also known as calculus). Tartar is usually yellow or brown and binds strongly to the tooth enamel, often pushing up under the gumline and causing inflammation.
The bad news: Once tartar has formed, it is as hard as rock. No amount of at-home wiping, brushing, or gels can remove it. At this stage, only a professional dental scaling by a veterinarian under anesthesia can safely remove the tartar.