Most people use the words plaque and tartar as if they mean the same thing, and that habit quietly costs them enamel and gum health. Plaque is the soft, sticky film that forms on your teeth every day. Tartar is what plaque becomes when it sits too long and hardens, and once it hardens, your toothbrush can no longer remove it. Understanding plaque vs tartar is the simplest way to see why a daily routine matters and why a professional cleaning is not optional. Below, we break d