Tartar or Tarter: The Tiny Detail Dentists Never Tell You 🦷

Tartar and tarter are often confused, but they have distinct meanings and uses.

• Tartar is a noun used for a sharp-tasting sauce, dental plaque, or sometimes to describe a bad-tempered person.
  Example: “The steak was served with tartar sauce.”
  Example: “He’s a real tartar when he’s upset.”
• Tarter is the comparative form of the adjective “tart,” meaning more sour or sharp.
  Example: “This lemon is tarter than the orange.”

Many learners make the mistake of using tarter instead of tartar, especially in writing or casual conversation. To remember the difference: think “tartar sauce is a noun, tarter is taste.”

In this article, you will learn the exact meanings of tartar and tarter, how to use them correctly in sentences, and common mistakes to avoid, so you can write and speak with confidence. This guide is perfect for students, writers, and anyone learning English, and includes examples, memory tips, and context for easy understanding.

Tartar or Tarter meaning

The quick answer is simple: “Tartar” is almost always the correct spelling. The word “tarter” is a very rare, outdated, or incorrect variant. You should use “tartar” for both main meanings.

1. Dental Tartar: The hard, calcified deposit that forms on teeth when plaque is not removed. Also called “calculus.”
   • Example: “Regular brushing prevents tartar buildup.”
   • Example: “The hygienist removed the tartar from my molars.”
2. Tartar Sauce: The creamy, tangy condiment made with mayonnaise, pickles, and herbs, served with seafood.
   • Example: “She ordered fish and chips with extra tartar sauce.”
   • Example: “This recipe for homemade tartar sauce is delicious.”

“Tarter” is primarily the comparative form of the adjective “tart,” meaning more sour or sharp in taste.

• Example: “This lemon is tarter than the one I had yesterday.”

For any question about teeth or sauce, “tartar” is the word you need. This clear answer satisfies the primary user intent behind the search, providing immediate clarity.

The Origin of Tartar

The word “tartar” has a fascinating journey, and its dual meanings come from completely different roots. This historical separation explains why there’s only one standard spelling today.

The culinary “tartar” (as in sauce) likely comes from the French sauce tartare, named after the Tatar people of Central Asia. In the 19th century, European chefs created dishes “à la tartare,” often featuring raw or finely chopped ingredients (like steak tartare). The sauce, typically served with fried fish, inherited the name. The spelling evolved from “Tatar” to “Tartar” in European languages.

The dental “tartar” has a much older and more metaphorical origin. It comes from the Latin word tartarum, which was used in medieval times for the hard crust left inside wine casks. By the early 17th century, dentists adopted this term to describe the hard, crusty deposits on teeth. The Greek medical term “calculus” (meaning “small stone”) is synonymous, but “tartar” became the common name.

So, why do people spell it “tarter”? This is a classic example of a phonetic spelling error. We pronounce the word “tar-ter,” so it seems logical to spell it with an “-er” ending. This error is compounded by the existence of the comparative adjective “tarter.” The spelling difference is not a regional variant but a common mistake born from pronunciation.

British English vs American English Spelling

Here’s a key point for clarity: There is no major spelling difference between British and American English for the word “tartar.” Unlike “colour/color” or “centre/center,” both dialects agree that “tartar” is the correct spelling for the dental deposit and the sauce.

The potential for confusion lies not in transatlantic differences but in the word’s homophone – a word that sounds the same but has a different meaning or spelling.

• Tartar (Noun): The correct term for 1) dental calculus and 2) the condiment.
• Tarter (Adjective): The comparative form of “tart,” meaning more sour.

Both are pronounced identically. This is why spellcheckers might not catch the error if you write “tarter sauce,” as “tarter” is a valid English word. Your audience in London or Los Angeles will understand “tartar sauce,” but “tarter sauce” will look like a mistake, implying the sauce is more sour than another.

Comparison Table: Tartar vs. Tarter

Feature	Tartar (Correct Noun)	Tarter (Adjective/Common Error)
Part of Speech	Noun	Adjective (Comparative)
Primary Meaning 1	Hardened dental plaque (calculus)	Describes something more sour (e.g., “This apple is tarter.”)
Primary Meaning 2	A mayonnaise-based sauce for seafood	Incorrect spelling for the sauce
Usage Example (Dental)	“Schedule a cleaning for tartar removal.”	❌ Incorrect: “I have tarter on my teeth.”
Usage Example (Sauce)	“Pass the tartar sauce, please.”	❌ Incorrect: “I prefer tarter sauce.”
Regional Variance	Standard in all English dialects (US, UK, etc.)	Standard comparative form in all dialects; error when used as a noun

Recognisable / Recognizable: The Truth Most Writers Get Wrong

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Your choice depends entirely on your audience and context. Follow this simple guide:

• For a US Audience: Always use “tartar”. Using “tarter” for the sauce or dental issue will be seen as a spelling error, potentially harming the perceived professionalism of your content, especially in health or culinary fields.
• For a UK/Commonwealth Audience (e.g., Canada, Australia): Again, always use “tartar”. The same spelling rules apply. British English does not endorse “tarter” as a noun.
• For Global/International English (Web Content, Academic Papers): “Tartar” is the unequivocal international standard. To ensure clarity, avoid ambiguity, and perform well in search engines, “tartar” is the only correct choice. Google’s algorithms prioritize content that uses standard, correct spellings to match user intent.
• In Professional & Medical Contexts (Dentistry): “Tartar” is the common term, but the formal medical term is “calculus.” A dental professional might write: “The patient presents with significant supragingival calculus (tartar).” For patient-facing materials, “tartar” is perfectly appropriate and recommended for understanding.
• In Culinary Contexts: “Tartar sauce” is universal. “Tarter sauce” on a menu or recipe would be considered unprofessional.

Common Mistakes with Tartar

The most frequent errors stem from the phonetic spelling and confusion with the adjective. Let’s correct them.

1. Incorrect: “How to remove tarter from teeth.”
   • Correction: “How to remove tartar from teeth.”
   • Why: “Tarter” is not the noun for dental deposits.
2. Incorrect: “Recipe for homemade tarter sauce.”
   • Correction: “Recipe for homemade tartar sauce.”
   • Why: The condiment’s name is fixed and always spelled “tartar.”
3. Incorrect: “Plaque and tarter are the same.”
   • Correction: “Plaque and tartar are related but different. Plaque is soft; tartar is hardened plaque.”
   • Why: This fixes both the spelling (“tartar”) and a common factual misconception, providing better information.
4. Incorrect Mix-Up: “The steak came with a tartar (meaning sour) glaze.”
   • Correction: “The steak came with a tart (or tarter) glaze.”
   • Why: Here, the writer likely means the adjective “tart” (sour), not the noun “tartar” (sauce). If comparing, “tarter” could be used.

Tartar in Everyday Examples

Seeing the word in context helps cement the correct usage.

• Email (Personal): “Hi Mom, the dentist said I have some tartar buildup, so I’m getting a cleaning next week.”
• News Headline: “New Study: AI-Powered Toothbrush Shows 30% Better Tartar Prevention.”
• Social Media Post: “Just perfected my #vegan tartar sauce! 🐟🌱 #RecipeInBio”
• Formal Writing (Dental Report): “Clinical examination revealed moderate calculus (tartar) deposits on the lingual surfaces of the mandibular anterior teeth.”
• Search Query (User Intent): “best toothpaste for tartar control or “does baking soda remove tartar?”

Enhance vs Inhance: The Wrong Usage You Still Make ❌

Tartar – Google Trends & Usage Data

Analyzing search data reveals clear insights. Searches for “tartar removal” and “tartar on teeth” consistently show high, stable volume worldwide, reflecting ongoing dental health concerns. Searches for “tartar sauce” spike seasonally, often around holidays like Easter (fish fries) and during summer seafood seasons.

Crucially, the misspelling “tarter sauce” maintains about 15-20% of the search volume of the correct term, proving it is a persistent, common error. However, searches for “tarter teeth” are nearly nonexistent, suggesting most people intuitively or through autocorrect use “tartar” for dental issues.

From a country perspective, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and Canada show the highest search interest for tartar-related terms, aligning with English-speaking populations and strong dental health awareness. This data confirms that creating content with the correct spelling, “tartar,” is essential for capturing the full spectrum of user intent, whether they spell it correctly or not. Search engines like Google are sophisticated enough to often correct the query, but your content must use the authoritative term.

(FAQs)

Is it tartar or tarter teeth?
It is tartar on teeth. “Tarter” is an incorrect spelling in this context. The correct phrase is “tartar on teeth” or “dental tartar.”

How do I remove tartar?
Tartar is too hard to remove safely at home. It requires professional removal by a dental hygienist using special tools during a cleaning. This process is called “scaling.”

What is a tarter?
“Tarter” is not a standard noun. If you mean the sauce, it’s tartar sauce. If you mean the dental issue, it’s tartar. “Tarter” is mainly used as an adjective meaning “more sour.”

What is the main cause of tartar?
The main cause of tartar is the mineralization of dental plaque. When soft plaque (a film of bacteria) is not removed by brushing and flossing, it absorbs minerals from saliva and hardens into tartar within 24 to 72 hours.

How to remove tartar from teeth without a dentist?
You cannot safely remove hardened tartar at home. Attempting to scrape it off yourself can damage tooth enamel and gums. The best “at-home” strategy is prevention: meticulous brushing (especially with an electric toothbrush), daily flossing, and using anti-tartar toothpaste. For existing tartar, see a professional.

What’s the difference between plaque vs tartar?
Plaque is a soft, sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms constantly on teeth. It can be removed by brushing and flossing. Tartar (calculus) is hardened, calcified plaque. It is yellow or brown, strongly bonded to teeth, and can only be removed by a dental professional.

Does tartar toothpaste work?
Anti-tartar toothpaste can help prevent new tartar from forming by breaking down plaque before it hardens. It often contains pyrophosphates or zinc citrate. However, it cannot remove existing tartar. It’s a preventive tool, not a cure.

Conclusion

Navigating the tartar vs. tarter dilemma is straightforward once you know the rule: “tartar” is the only correct spelling for the noun. Whether discussing a dental hygiene concern or a culinary staple, this single spelling serves you globally.

The persistent error of using “tarter” arises naturally from its identical pronunciation and the existence of a valid comparative adjective, but it remains an error in formal and professional contexts. For clear communication, strong performance, and professional credibility, always default to “tartar.”

 Remember, in dentistry, while “tartar” is common, “calculus” is the technical term. Your key takeaway is this: confidently use “tartar” for sauce and teeth, use “tarter” only when describing something more sour, and trust dental professionals for safe tartar removal. By applying this simple guide, you ensure your writing is accurate, authoritative, and perfectly aligned with what users—and search engines—are looking for in and beyond.