Black Tartar: What It Is, Causes and Removal

Short answer

Black tartar is usually tartar that forms below the gum, on the root surface. Its dark colour comes from blood products from bleeding gums mixing into the deposit. Smoking and tea can also darken tartar above the gum. Black tartar is generally a sign of gum disease; it can only be removed at the clinic, with cleaning below the gum where needed.

What is black tartar?

Black tartar is a hard, dark brown or black deposit that clings firmly to the tooth. It is usually tartar that forms below the gum, on the root surface.

Tartar above the gum line is usually yellowish or cream-coloured. Tartar below the gum is harder, thinner and darker. When the gums recede or swell with inflammation, this dark deposit can become visible at the gum margin.

We explain how tartar forms in general on our page what is tartar. This page focuses on dark-coloured tartar and what it means.

Why does tartar turn black?

The most common reason tartar is black is that it forms below the gum and is stained by blood products from bleeding gums. Some habits can also darken its colour.

Tartar below the gum: Fluid and blood products collecting in an inflamed gum pocket mix into the deposit and give it a dark brown or black colour.
Bleeding gums: Gums that bleed often create the conditions for dark tartar to form.
Smoking and shisha: Tar and nicotine can turn tartar above the gum from yellow-brown to dark brown.
Tea and coffee: The rough surface of tartar readily holds pigments and darkens over time.
Going a long time without cleaning: As the deposit thickens, its colour also darkens.

Whatever its colour, hardened tartar cannot be removed at home.

The difference between black tartar and black stain

Black tartar is a raised, hard deposit; black stain is a thin layer of colour on the tooth surface. The two can look alike, but their causes and significance differ.

Feature	Black tartar	Black stain (thin line)
Appearance	Raised, rough, hard deposit	Thin dots or a line running parallel to the gum margin
Location	Gum margin, between teeth, below the gum	Usually just above the gum line
Who gets it most	Adults, people with gum disease	More common in children; can also occur in adults
Link with the gums	Often occurs together with gum inflammation	Usually not a sign of gum disease
Treatment	Scale and polish, with cleaning below the gum if needed	Professional cleaning and polishing; it may come back

A black spot on the biting surface of a tooth or between two teeth may be decay. That is why any black area should be assessed at an examination. For other kinds of discolouration, see our page tooth yellowing and stains.

What is black tartar a sign of?

Black tartar often indicates inflammation below the gum and that gum disease may have progressed. It should therefore not be seen as a purely cosmetic problem.

Tartar below the gum disrupts the attachment between the gum and the tooth and contributes to pocket formation. If left untreated, gum inflammation (gingivitis) can turn into periodontitis, which spreads to the tissues and bone that hold the tooth.

Signs commonly seen together with black tartar include:

Gums that bleed when brushing or on their own
Red, swollen or receding gums
Persistent bad breath
A feeling of gaps opening between teeth, or slightly loose teeth

For more information on bleeding gums, take a look at our page bleeding gums.

Close-up of red, swollen gums prone to bleeding that accompany black tartar — Dark-coloured tartar is often seen together with gum inflammation. · Illustrative AI-generated image; not a patient.

How is black tartar diagnosed?

Black tartar is diagnosed at an examination by eye, with a fine-tipped probe and, where needed, X-rays. Deposits below the gum are often not visible from the outside.

Visual examination: The dark deposit visible at the gum margin and the colour of the gums are assessed.
Pocket measurement: The depth of the pocket between the gum and the tooth is gently measured. Deep pockets may be a sign of tartar below the gum and inflammation.
X-rays: These give information about tartar between the teeth and the bone level.

Based on this information, it is decided whether a scale and polish alone is enough or whether cleaning below the gum is needed.

How is black tartar removed?

Black tartar is removed at the clinic with ultrasonic and hand instruments. If the tartar extends below the gum, cleaning below the gum and root planing may be needed.

Cleaning above the gum: Visible tartar is broken up by vibration with an ultrasonic tip and removed.
Cleaning below the gum: Tartar and inflamed tissue in the pocket are cleaned away and the root surface is made smooth. In Turkey this procedure is also commonly known as curettage.
Local anaesthetic: For deep cleaning, the area can be numbed for comfort.
Number of sessions: With widespread, deep build-up, cleaning can be done over several sessions, dividing the mouth into sections.
Polishing: At the end of the procedure the surface is polished, so new build-up finds it harder to stick.

We explain the steps of the procedure in detail on our page scale and polish.

Cleaning below the gum and curettage for black tartar at the clinic — Tartar below the gum is removed by cleaning inside the pocket. · Illustrative AI-generated image; not a patient.

What to expect after cleaning

After black tartar is removed there may be mild sensitivity and bleeding for a few days; these complaints usually ease as the gums heal.

Once the gum swelling goes down, spaces between the teeth that were previously filled by tartar may become visible. This does not mean the cleaning harmed the teeth; it reveals gum loss that was already there. We answer common questions about the safety of cleaning on our page is tartar removal harmful?

After cleaning below the gum, a check-up a few weeks later is usually recommended to see how healing is going. Pocket depth and bleeding are reassessed. In some cases additional treatment or more frequent check-ups may be needed.

How can you stop black tartar from coming back?

The way to stop black tartar from forming again is to keep gum inflammation under control and remove plaque before it hardens.

Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, paying attention to the gum line too.
Clean between your teeth every day with dental floss or an interdental brush.
Quitting smoking reduces both dark staining and the risk of gum disease.
If you have a condition that affects gum health, such as diabetes, tell your dentist.
If you have had gum disease, have check-ups as often as your dentist recommends, often every 3–6 months.

At our clinic in Çankaya, Ankara, the type of tartar and the condition of your gums are assessed at the examination, and a cleaning plan that suits you is agreed together.

Frequently asked questions

Is black tartar dangerous?

Black tartar is not an emergency in itself, but it is often a sign of gum disease. It is advisable to have it examined and removed without delay.

Can black tartar be brushed off?

No. Black tartar is a hardened deposit that clings firmly to the tooth. It can only be removed at the clinic with special instruments.

Does removing black tartar hurt?

Cleaning tartar above the gum usually causes only mild discomfort. For cleaning below the gum, local anaesthetic can be used for comfort; how much discomfort people feel varies from person to person.

Is the black line on children's teeth tartar?

In children, thin black lines parallel to the gum margin are often not tartar but a surface stain caused by bacteria. It is removed with professional cleaning but may come back over time.

Can non-smokers get black tartar?

Yes. The most common cause of the black colour is not smoking but tartar below the gum being stained by blood products. That is why it can also occur in non-smokers.