The buildup of bacteria (plaque) on your teeth and gums is both unhygienic and bad for your overall health. When given the chance to settle and solidify, it becomes tartar which is the main contributing factor to gum disease. Other serious health complications, such as periodontitis, can also arise from tarter buildup.

It is important to understand the difference between plaque and tartar so you know what you are up against. The actual bacteria are plaque and the accumulation of stains, bacteria, dirt, and food makes up tartar. Removal is necessary because it prevents formation of cavities, tooth decay, and diseases like gingivitis and even tooth degeneration.

Regular dental visits are the best prevention, but sometimes life gets in the way and those visits are spaced out longer than you planned. Thankfully, there are many things you can to keep your mouth healthy and looking good. The following home remedies are good additions to a regular dental program and should not be used in place of one.

Where to Start

1. Regular Brushing: Make sure you brush after every meal to significantly reduce the chances of tartar formation. Brushing time should last for three minutes and care should be taken to make sure you cover all of your mouth.

2. Locate the Biggest Stains: To pinpoint the areas you need to target for extra cleaning, add some food coloring to water and use as a plaque identifying solution. You should use some petroleum jelly to prevent coloring your lips. Once you gargle and \rinse, you will see light patches of color where the stains are and you can concentrate your efforts there.

The Right Equipment Makes all the Difference

3. Electric Toothbrush: Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are more efficient at removing built up materials. Ultimately the debate will never be complete because the choice of electric or manual toothbrush will come down to personal preference. The main factor is to brush regularly.

4. Don’t Forget to Floss: While brushing habits are generally common, flossing habits are not. Many people forget to floss which can be a real hazard to the health of your teeth. Brushing and flossing jointly are recommended by dental professionals because they work best together, each with their own job to perform. Your brush will clean the surfaces of your teeth, while flossing collects the debris that gets stuck between them and in corners.

5. Dental Scraping Device: A water pick is a good investment if you have the money, as they are similar to the devices your dentist uses. They provide a much more intense clean so are usually worth it. You can buy them from your local drug store and while they may look intimidating with their hooked metal end, they are easy to use and very beneficial.

The Best Accessories

6. Fluoride Toothpaste: The majority of toothpaste on the market contains fluoride and for good reason. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, which allows it to withstand acidic erosion from food and drink. It has even been proven to slow the decay of teeth and help them repair and regenerate. This unfortunately occurs slowly, so cannot be relied upon in its entirety. The less acid and sugar you consume, the less erosion your teeth have to face.

7. Tartar Control Toothpaste: These options are available for those who really worry about tartar patches on their teeth. Their key ingredients are able to fight against the buildup. They also often contain triclosan, which is an antibiotic that kills of several bacteria strains.

8. Antiseptic Mouthwash: Apart from brushing and flossing, many choose to follow up with regular rinsing with a hydrogen peroxide based cleanser. You can buy it at a pharmacy or make your own (one to three ratio of regular mouthwash to the hydrogen peroxide solution). Beware if you make your own to watch the concentration so you do not cause any damage. Rinsing with mouthwash regularly does help to wash away any debris that was missed by earlier methods.

Create Your Own

9. Super Vitamin Paste: Using vitamin C heavy fruits, like oranges, strawberries and tomatoes, you can make up your own super paste. Apply this to your teeth and leave for 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. The vitamin C reacts with bacteria, removing it and leaving a fresh and clean smile.

10. Baking Soda: One of the most versatile items in your home, baking soda is great for cleaning. It can clean your teeth too. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a pinch of salt. Dampen your toothbrush and dip into the mixture to form a paste. Brush as usual and rinse. Gentle brushing should be used because baking soda is abrasive which is great for filing buildup away, but can also scratch your teeth.

11. Orange Peel: You can take an orange peel and rub it directly against your teeth. You can also mash up the peel and apply it to stained areas. The peel contains elements that fight the microorganisms that cause tartar, so you should notice that it leaves your teeth noticeably whiter.

12. Aloe Vera and Glycerine: Aloe Vera gel receives so much attention for its numerous uses, but many do not realize it can be sued to clean teeth. Combine water, half a cup of baking soda and a teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel. Add lemon essential oil and four teaspoons vegetable glycerine. Scrub your teeth with the mixture and your teeth will be brighter in the morning.

13. Vinegar: Not the most pleasant method, but very effective. A mixture of two tablespoons vinegar, one tablespoon salt and four ounces water will remove any unwanted elements. Rinsing your mouth with vinegar is natural and will not harm teeth, so gargle, and rinse and repeat 2 or 3 times a day for maximum results.

Unexpected Nutritional Assistance

14. Fruits and Vegetables: Your parents always told you fruits and veggies were good for you. They were right. Good for overall health physically, fruits and veggies are super foods that also help teeth. Crunching on apples, celery, carrots and peppers for a start, will have your teeth healthy and strong in no time.

15. Sesame Seeds: These little seeds act as a great dental scrub. Without damaging teeth, they are able to gently remove tartar. Just take a handful in your mouth and crunch them all up, but do not swallow. Using a dry toothbrush, brush your teeth while the seeds are still in your mouth and they will scrub away buildup.

16. Figs: Another well-kept secret is the fact that figs have great bacteria fighting ingredients. Chew them up slowly, allowing them full exposure to all your teeth and gums. This activates saliva, which also contains antibacterial properties and together they fight off any potential accumulations of plaque.

17. Cloves: Used as a pain remedy, specifically toothaches, it is not a surprise that cloves can also be used to clean. Widely available, all you have to do is grind up some cloves, mix with a little water and apply the paste directly to the teeth. Let it rest for a few minutes, then rinse away the clove paste, which will take all the settled bacteria with it.

18. Spicy Foods: According to dentists, eating spicy foods greatly reduces plaque levels. The spiciness increases saliva production which floods the mouth with antibacterial elements, washing away the nasty stuff and cleansing the teeth.

19. Cheesy Treats: Enjoy a snack of aged cheddar knowing it also has the added benefit of neutralizing mouth acids. Acid accumulation after you eat contributes to plaque formation, so indulging in some cheese can help prevent this. Specifically in aged cheeses, scientists discovered an attribute that buffers against plaque.

The Bottom Line

Even when you can’t make it to the dentist on time, there are plenty of options to help you keep that beautiful smile and more importantly maintain a happy and healthy mouth.

Sources

1. https://tapoos.com/health/4-mixtures-completely-remove-tartar-teeth/

2. https://www.carefreedental.com/resources/24-your-teeth/116-19-amazing-home-remedies-for-removing-plaque-naturally