Can You Remove Plaque on Teeth at Home?

A sticky film that builds up above and under our gum line, plaque is a transparent or pale yellow substance that results from bacterial activity in our mouth. And while it might not be visible to the bare eye, it can surely harm our dental health if not treated adequately and on time. 

Below, we discuss some fireproof methods for removing plaque at home, but you mustn’t forget to schedule regular, preferably biannual visits to your dentist to make sure you’ve given your best to protect your pearly whites, too!

The Best Methods for Plaque Removal at Home

When it comes to one of the best ways to remove plaque at home, there’s no need to look further than basics. Yes, you’re assuming correctly – we’re talking about brushing and well, more brushing. Namely, brushing at least twice a day will keep annoying plaque at bay. We recommend that you opt for a soft-bristled brush that you will replace every three to six months for optimal results. Also, you should consider getting an electric toothbrush as it has been proved to be more effective at removing plaque.

Finally, you should spend at least two minutes brushing every time. Don’t use more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste (children should use even less – approximately the size of a rice grain). Using short, gentle strokes, brush thoroughly all the surfaces inside your mouth, including your tongue.

Floss Regularly

Flossing and brushing twice a day truly makes a winning combo if you want to get rid of the plaque. Pick a floss from a trustworthy brand and make a habit out of using it. For the best possible results, you should gently push it between two teeth and then move it in the shape of the letter “C” against one tooth. Move it up and down slowly and repeat the process on all your teeth. It might take some time until you’ve completely got used to this routine but trust us – it will pay off in the long run!

Pull Oil

Every once in a while, you can swish some oil, preferably the coconut one, in your mouth to reduce plaque, prevent tooth decay, and improve your dental health in general. But for it to give actual results, you should spend at least 20 or 30 minutes doing it every day. Some suggest using coconut oil due to its highly-beneficial fatty acids, which have strong anti-inflammatory effects, but one study with sesame oil confirmed that oil pulling, in general, makes a great addition to your other dental hygiene efforts.

Don’t Forget About Baking Soda

Some researches confirm that using a toothpaste that contains baking soda is directly linked to less plaque buildup over 24 hours since it has natural abrasive and cleaning properties. 

Untreated Plaque Causes Tartar

In short, tartar is a calcified plaque. Over time, plaque will build up and harden in contact with our saliva. Not a painful condition in and of itself, tartar makes a great breeding ground for dangerous bacteria that can cause cavities and even gum disease. On the other hand, tartar is also aesthetically not pleasing, to say the least, and will harm your self-esteem due to its dark and messy appearance.

Also, once plaque turns into tartar, it will be possible to remove it only at your dentist’s office using professional tools. And while it’s not a painful nor complicated procedure whatsoever, we suggest you avoid it by sticking with the home plaque removal methods we mentioned above.

Keep in mind that plaque will accumulate again quickly. This dental biofilm forms naturally and continually in our mouth and there’s little we can do about it. That’s why it’s essential to incorporate all our pieces of advice into your dental hygiene routine to keep plaque in check and schedule a dental checkup in the meantime to make sure you’re doing a good job.

Who’s at More Risk of Developing Plaque and Tartar?

Everyone who consumes lots of carbohydrates, and more specifically, sugars, is running the risk of building up additional plaque and developing tartar. Some studies also indicate that persons who are regularly drinking alcohol are more susceptible to developing plaque and tartar due to chemical compounds found in alcohol and the fact that they oftentimes aren’t exercising regular dental hygiene. 

Pregnant women also fall within a vulnerable group for building up plaque and tartar since they experience various hormonal changes throughout pregnancy, which also affects the natural balance in their mouth. Therefore, sticking to a strict dental hygiene routine is a must when expecting.

What’s your experience with a plaque so far? Did you have to have tartar removed at the dentist at some point? How was it? Don’t hesitate to tell us all about it in the comment section below!