Natural Ways to Remove Plaque and Tartar From Teeth

Natural Ways to Remove Plaque and Tartar from Teeth at Home

 

Maintaining optimal oral hygiene is crucial for overall health and well-being. At the forefront of dental care are two common adversaries: plaque and tartar. Understanding the nuances of these dental nuisances is essential for effective prevention and treatment.

In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the intricacies of plaque and tartar, exploring their origins, characteristics, and the impact they can have on dental health. From discussing the differences between plaque and tartar to evaluating various removal methods, we aim to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to combat these dental foes effectively.

Understanding Tartar and Plaque: What Are They?

No, plaque and tartar are not the same thing. Yes, they are both types of bacteria in your mouth, but no, they do not have the same effects. Plaque is a colorless, sticky form of bacteria forming on your teeth and around your gum line. Excessive plaque and anything that is not removed from around the gum line daily can cause inflammation and irritation to the gums around the teeth, leading to gingivitis—you know, the bleeding, red, swollen gums. If it’s not treated, it can possibly progress into periodontal disease, also called gum disease. Which brings me to tartar, aka calculus, which is the scientific, fancy word for tartar.

How to Remove Plaque and Tartar From Teeth at Home

 

Aloe Vera and Glycerin for Plaque Removal

Aloe Vera can be used as a very powerful natural toothpaste. It will keep your teeth free from plaque as this plant is antimicrobial. The cherry on the cake, in this case, is the ability of Aloe Vera to fight bad breath.

To prepare this toothpaste, you’ll need several ingredients:

• One cup of water
• Half a cup of baking soda
• One teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel
• Four teaspoons of vegetable glycerin
• One teaspoon of lemon essential oil

Mix the water with half a cup of baking soda, then add a teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel. Put in the mixture four teaspoons of vegetable glycerin and lemon essential oil. Stir it together and brush your teeth with this concoction. After that, there’s nothing else to do but watch your teeth become whiter, shinier, and healthier within minutes. Try to use this toothpaste two times every day.

Orange Peel For Cleaning Plaque and Tartar

After you eat an orange, don’t throw away the peel! Rub it onto your teeth. It’s an easy way to clean your tooth enamel. Don’t worry, your teeth won’t turn orange! In fact, this process will whiten them. What’s more, it will help prevent stains and fight off microorganisms and bacteria on the enamel. After you’re done rubbing for a few minutes, simply rinse it off with some water. You can even leave it on the teeth for the whole night and wash it away in the morning. Another way is to mash the orange peel (if you are patient enough) and put it on the stained areas. Leave it for some time, then wash it away.

Sesame Seeds For Tooth Strength and Plaque Removal

Take a handful of sesame seeds and chew on them for several minutes. Don’t swallow them, even if you like the taste a lot. Afterwards, use a dry toothbrush to brush your teeth with the seeds still inside your mouth. This process will gently scour the tooth surface, removing existing stains without causing any damage. When you feel that your teeth have become shiny white, thoroughly rinse your mouth.

Vinegar Solution To Remove Tartar

The Vinegar Solution is 100% natural and cleanses your teeth without causing any damage. One of the ingredients in white vinegar is acetic acid. This acid prevents demineralization of the tooth enamel and plaque accumulation. So, here’s what you need to save your teeth from plaque:

• 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 4 oz of water

Combine the ingredients and use this mixture to rinse your mouth. Repeat it one or two times a day.

Use of Ground Cloves To Remove Plaque

People have been using ground cloves to relieve toothaches for many decades. But it has the ability to destroy microbes in the mouth as well – yes, exactly those microbes that cause plaque. It lowers the number of units that form microbial colonies, therefore serving as an anti-plaque agent. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 teaspoon of powdered cloves
• Some olive oil

Prepare the mixture from the powdered cloves and the olive oil. Put it on your teeth and leave it for a couple of minutes. After that, just rinse it off with cool water. Repeat this procedure two times a day.

Use of Baking Soda to remove plaque at home

In a small bowl, mix an equal amount of baking soda and water. Mix it well to prepare the paste. Now, dip your toothbrush in this mixture and brush in circles, covering each tooth well. Brush your teeth for about 1 minute, then rinse them off with fresh water. You can use this treatment every alternate day, or if you have a habit of brushing twice a day, then one time you can use baking soda instead of toothpaste. Baking soda also protects teeth from demineralization (calcium removal process from enamel). It also has antimicrobial properties, which prevent tooth decay.

Oil-Pulling home remedy to remove tooth plaque

Any edible oil could be used, but the most common oil is coconut oil. Take 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in the mouth. Swish the oil around the mouth for 5 to 10 minutes; the volume increases in the mouth as saliva mixes with the oil. Spit the oil out in a trash can; do not spit out the oil in the sink because it may clog the pipes. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which will help in the removal of plaque formation and maintain overall dental hygiene. Oil pulling should be done every day. You have to practice it at least 3 times a week. This should be done for a month, and after that, you should practice it every six months.

Turmeric + Clove Oil + Hydrogen Peroxide + Baking Soda + Honey 

You can make this easily at home, and it is natural. It contains clove oil or cinnamon oil. Take one of these two and turmeric powder. Just a pinch of turmeric is enough. Take three drops of one of these oils in a small container or bowl. Next, add a pinch of turmeric.

The next thing is hydrogen peroxide; you can get any concentration (3%, 6%) from the nearest pharmacy. 1/4 teaspoon of it is enough; it will not even make 2 ml, and the body itself produces hydrogen peroxide to kill these bacteria and germs. In this mixture, we are not adding anything that is new to the body or can cause harm, and hydrogen peroxide is a very high potency liquid that prevents the formation of plaque and tartar.

You might be thinking that baking soda is not good for teeth. We have heard that it spoils the enamel. It is not so. There are two main layers of teeth, enamel and dentin, and dentin is beneath the enamel. There is a scale to measure how much damage the use of anything can cause on the dentin, which is called the Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA). The RDA value of anything used on teeth tells us how much damage it can cause to the dentin layer or how much harm it will cause, and the RDA value of baking soda is 7, while the regular toothpaste has a value between 70 to 250. So, the intake of baking soda is very less, plus it is alkaline which neutralizes bacteria that form acid in the mouth, and the body itself produces sodium bicarbonate to buffer these acids. So its use on teeth is absolutely safe. Take 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.

Naturally, hydrogen peroxide is found in pure honey; just keep in mind not to take honey with synthetic and chemicals. 1/4 teaspoon is enough.

After making this mixture, use it only once. Now add 100 grams of water to it. This makes one small half to half cup. Adjust according to cold and hot weather. Now mix all this wonder well. Take it and brush it twice a day; use it for two weeks, and you yourself will feel a big difference.

What Does Tartar and Plaque look like: Appearance and Color

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. It may appear as a fuzzy or slimy layer, especially along the gumline, and can vary in thickness.

Tartar, also known as calculus, develops when plaque hardens over time due to mineral deposits from saliva. It typically appears as a yellow or brownish deposit on teeth, often near the gumline or between teeth.

Understanding the appearance and color of plaque and tartar is crucial for recognizing their presence and taking appropriate measures for removal and prevention.

Causes of Plaque and Tartar Buildup on Teeth

The dental plaque in your mouth is created by bacteria. The bacteria form dental plaque on your teeth so that they have a place to live. The process starts with a thin protein layer that forms on your teeth called a pellicle layer. This layer gives the bacteria something to attach to so they can start growing on your teeth. Once the bacteria attach to your teeth, they will eat the foods you eat and start to reproduce.

The amount of dental plaque on your teeth will increase as the bacteria reproduce. There can be as many as 200 to 400 different species of microorganisms living in the dental plaque initially. The dental plaque is soft, and you can remove it with proper brushing and flossing.

The Main Difference Between Plaque and Tartar

Plaque is a soft, sticky film containing bacteria that forms on teeth throughout the day. It can be removed with regular brushing and flossing. Tartar, on the other hand, is a hardened form of plaque that has mineralized over time. You cannot remove tartar at home on your own and it requires professional dental cleaning. Therefore, the main difference between plaque and tartar lies in their composition and the ease of removal.

Is Tartar Worse Than Plaque?

In terms of oral health risks, tartar is generally considered worse than plaque. While both plaque and tartar contribute to dental issues such as tooth decay and gum disease, tartar poses additional risks. Tartar provides a rough surface for more plaque to accumulate, exacerbating dental problems. Therefore, preventing tartar formation through regular dental hygiene practices is crucial for maintaining optimal oral health.

Formation Process: Which Comes First, Plaque or Tartar?

Plaque typically forms first on teeth. Your saliva and the water you drink contain different minerals. So, when plaque sits there for a long period of time, the minerals from the water and your saliva then sit within the plaque and turn it into harder deposits called tartar. Therefore, plaque precedes tartar in the sequence of dental buildup.

Recognizing the Presence of Plaque and Tartar on Teeth

Everybody develops plaque; it’s a natural thing, and it can be removed every day through brushing and flossing. You can see plaque on your teeth if you were to scratch your teeth or look carefully; you might be able to see a white film around your teeth, which are plaque deposits.

If you do have a buildup of plaque and you’re not sure which areas are building up, you can use disclosing tablets. These tablets are chewed and then spit out, and they discolor the areas where you’ve got the plaque so that you can see them very easily in the mirror. You can then use this information to brush away those discolored areas and those plaque deposits so your teeth are nice and clean afterward.

Tartar, on the other hand, presents as a hardened, yellowish, or brownish deposit on teeth, typically near the gum line or on the surfaces of teeth.

How do Dentist Remove Plaque and Tartar

Based on both your periodontal charting and your dental x-rays, they will decide which type of cleaning is best for you. Most of the time, first, they will use something called an ultrasonic scaler. The regular scaler or the scrapers, are also called hand instruments, and these hand instruments are usually used after the ultrasonic scaler.

The hand instruments are typically used to fine-tune and reach all the little crevices and spots that were missed or were too hard to reach with the ultrasonic scaler. They are also used to smooth out any remaining grainy pieces of tartar. Lastly, if there’s any residual stain, polishing is what will shine up and make your teeth sparkle again.

How do Ultrasonic Scalers Work

The ultrasonic scaler uses both high-pressurized water and ultrasonic vibrations to remove plaque. The vibrations are transmitted through the metal tip or probe attached to the scaler. This tip moves rapidly in an elliptical or linear motion. As the vibrating tip comes into contact with the tooth surface, it creates mechanical disruption of the plaque, tartar, and other deposits adhering to the tooth. The high-frequency vibrations break up the bonds between the deposits and the tooth surface, effectively dislodging them.

Removal Methods for Plaque and Tartar: From Home Remedies to Professional Dental Care

Regular Brushing and Flossing

Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste helps remove plaque from tooth surfaces. Flossing daily removes plaque and food particles from between teeth and along the gum line, where a toothbrush may not reach effectively.

Difference Between Flossing and Brushing

Brushing: Brushing primarily targets the surfaces of the teeth, including the front, back, and chewing surfaces. It also helps stimulate the gums and promote circulation.

Flossing: Flossing primarily targets the spaces between the teeth and the area just below the gum line. It helps remove plaque and bacteria from these hard-to-reach areas, where toothbrush bristles may not reach effectively.

Antibacterial Mouthwash

Using an antibacterial mouthwash can help with plaque buildup and bacteria in the mouth. However, it’s essential to choose a mouthwash that is approved by dental professionals and contains active ingredients like chlorhexidine or essential oils.

Dietary Changes

Limiting sugary and acidic foods and drinks can help prevent plaque buildup, as these substances contribute to the growth of bacteria in the mouth.

Consuming crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots can help to reduce plaque and clean teeth naturally by stimulating saliva production and scraping away plaque.

Professional Dental Cleanings

Professional cleanings typically involve scaling to remove tartar buildup and polishing to smooth the tooth surfaces and remove surface stains.

Ultrasonic Scaling

Dentists may use ultrasonic scalers, as mentioned earlier, to remove stubborn tartar deposits more efficiently. These devices use high-frequency vibrations to break down and remove tartar without causing significant damage to the tooth structure.

Dental Tools and Instruments

Dentists may use various dental tools and instruments, such as hand scalers and curettes, to manually remove plaque and tartar during professional cleanings. These instruments allow for precise cleaning of teeth surfaces, particularly in areas where tartar has accumulated.

Choosing the Best Toothpaste for Plaque and Tartar Removal

Consider toothpaste labeled as “antiplaque” or “anti-gingivitis,” as these formulations often contain active ingredients like triclosan, stannous fluoride, or zinc citrate, which help reduce plaque buildup and gum inflammation.

Some toothpaste formulations specifically target tartar control by incorporating ingredients like pyrophosphates or zinc citrate, which can help prevent the formation of tartar on teeth surfaces.

The Role of Mouthwash For Plaque and Tartar Removal

Mouthwash can play a supplementary role in plaque and tartar removal as part of a comprehensive oral hygiene routine. While mouthwash alone may not be sufficient to remove plaque and tartar buildup, it can complement brushing and flossing by targeting areas of the mouth that may be difficult to reach with a toothbrush or dental floss.

Maintenance and Prevention: How to Keep Plaque and Tartar Off Teeth

You cannot stop plaque from forming, but eating less sugary food, having a good diet, and maintaining a really good oral hygiene routine will keep it at a minimum. Foods such as cheese, carrots, and non-sugary vegetables are quite effective at keeping your teeth cleaner.

Reducing sugar intake to prevent plaque buildup and rinsing your mouth out after consuming sugary snacks or food will help to lower the sugar level in your mouth and keep plaque levels to a minimum. If you don’t remove plaque, you can run into further problems. As plaque builds up around your teeth, you can experience bad breath, bleeding gums, cavities, gum disease, and sensitive teeth.