What to do when a chunk of tartar came off your tooth

So, a chunk of tartar came off while you were eating or brushing, and now you're probably staring at it in the sink wondering if your tooth just fell apart. It's a pretty jarring experience. One minute you're chewing on a chip or minding your own business with a toothbrush, and the next, you feel a hard, rocky fragment in your mouth. If you're like most people, your tongue is currently doing laps around that spot, and things feel weird. ...

May 2, 2026 · 7 min · Lee Lesley