It collects along your gumline and can irritate your gums, causing a type of inflammation called gingivitis. You also don’t want to ignore tartar because it can build up and eventually boost your risk of developing tooth decay, putting your teeth and gums at risk. Speak with a dentist about the potential causes of the stains and whether you need to take action. In fact, the researchers found that people with those black stains actually seem to have a lower incidence of cavities.īut that doesn’t mean you should ignore any dark-colored stains on your teeth. Interestingly, the presence of extrinsic black stains alone doesn’t seem to have a connection to a higher rate of dental cavities, according to a 2019 analysis of 13 studies. What risks or complications can tartar pose for your health? Trauma, or damage to the enamel covering your teeth, can also make them appear dark. Tartar can creep below the gumline, and blood from the damaged gums may combine with the tartar to create a dark, stained appearance. Smoking or using tobacco can stain your teeth and any tartar that might be clinging to your teeth or along your gumline. Tartar usually starts out as an off-white or yellow color, but it can turn dark in a few circumstances.Ĭonsider these culprits of black or dark-colored tartar: Food and beveragesĬertain substances that you consume can cause tartar to take on a darker hue, such as: That means bacteria can slip down into those pores.
This is when minerals from saliva harden in the plaque.
When the plaque isn’t removed, it can harden into tartar. It starts to build up on your teeth after eating or drinking, and it keeps growing until you remove it. You might notice it when your teeth feel sticky or tacky. Plaque develops on your teeth and along your gumline when your saliva mixes with bacteria and particles of food left behind in your mouth. What causes black tartar between teeth and on the teeth?