Final answer:
Tartar control toothpaste can prevent the formation of new tartar with regular use, but cannot remove existing tartar. For removal of existing tartar, professional dental cleaning is necessary, regardless of the toothpaste brand.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tartar control toothpaste is specifically formulated to help prevent the formation of tartar (dental calculus) on teeth. However, once tartar has formed, it becomes a calcified substance that is too hard to be removed by brushing alone. Regular use of tartar control toothpaste can minimize future tartar buildup by preventing dental plaque from hardening, but existing calculus typically requires professional dental cleaning to be removed.
Most tartar control toothpastes contain chemical compounds such as pyrophosphates or zinc citrate which have been added to prevent tartar from forming. Additionally, toothpaste contains abrasives such as calcium carbonate and silica, which aid in removing plaque before it hardens into tartar. Nonetheless, these preventive measures are only effective with regular use; they cannot reverse tartar that has already formed.
Regarding the effectiveness of different brands, while all toothpastes designed to control tartar contain similar types of active ingredients, the formulation may vary slightly. However, for the removal of existing tartar, the brand is irrelevant as none can physically remove tartar once it has calcified, making a visit to the dentist necessary for its removal.