Dental cleaning involves removing plaque (soft, sticky, bacteria-infested film) and tartar (calculus) deposits that build up on teeth over time.

Your teeth are continually bathed in saliva, which contains calcium and other substances that help strengthen and protect them. While beneficial, this process can lead to a build-up of calcium deposits on the teeth.

This chalky substance, similar to limescale in a pipe or kettle, will accumulate over time. Usually tooth-colored, it can easily be mistaken for part of the teeth, but it can also range in color from brown to black.