Bacteria can cause swollen gums when dental plaque and tartar builds up on the teeth and gums. Leaving the plaque and tartar not removed, early gum disease can develop and progress causing advanced gum disease which is linked to loose or mobile teeth and tooth loss. The leading prevention of plaque is to have proper oral care habits and the use of natural oral rinses. But when plaque already calcifies into tartar, the only means to eradicate tartar is to have it scaled and polished. Scaling is the procedure used by dentist to scrape tartar from teeth and gums with the use special instruments. Teeth can then be polished to be able to remove any marks or stains if necessary.