Plaque is a soft, sticky film that builds up on the outside of the teeth and along the gum line. Plaque is essentially a slimy layer of oral bacteria that lodges on your teeth, gums, tongue, dental fillings, crowns, dentures, and the inner lining of your oral cavity in general. The plaque tends to thicken overtime as multiple layers build upon each other, and it becomes visible as a pale-yellowish shadow on the teeth. If a person does not practice good dental hygiene, plaque can turn into a hard yellow-brown substance called tartar.
The chalky-white substance that results from the increased mineralization of plaque is referred to as tartar or calculus. The accumulation of plaque and tartar on your teeth creates the perfect environment for oral bacteria to proliferate. These microorganisms feed on sugars and starches found in the food particles that are left behind in your mouth, and they release acidic by-products during the process. These corrosive secretions gradually chip away the tooth enamel due to prolonged contact, eventually resulting in the formation of dental cavities. The oral bacteria found in plaque also increase the toxic load in the mouth, paving the way for a number of periodontal (gum) problems.
The only way to prevent the buildup of dental plaque and calculus is to follow your oral hygiene regimen.
Several factors contribute to plaque buildup, such as poor oral hygiene, bad brushing technique, heredity, poor food choices and lack of professional care. Once the tartar has mineralized on your teeth, it is extremely difficult to remove. While brushing and flossing help keep plaque down, there are some natural remedies that can help, too.
Here are some home remedies to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth.
1. Oil Pulling
This technique has been around for a long time. Coconut oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. It is also high in lauric acid. Take one tablespoon of melted coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. When you’re finished, spit the oil out (don’t gargle or swallow it) and brush your teeth like normal. It’s best to do this in the morning before you’ve eaten. Other effective oils for oil pulling are olive oil, almond oil and sesame oil.
2. Baking Soda
Baking Soda is an inexpensive way to keep your mouth healthy and clean. Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate helps to neutralize acids in the mouth and reduces the number of bacteria in your mouth. It can also help naturally whiten your teeth. Just don’t use it too often. Keep it to once or twice a week so it doesn’t damage your tooth enamel.
There are several ways you can use baking soda to remove plaque from your teeth.
Method 1:
- Dip a wet toothbrush into the baking soda and brush your teeth like normal.
- Rinse your mouth completely with warm water.
Method 2:
- Mix one part salt with two parts baking soda in a dish.
- Dip a wet toothbrush and brush your teeth normally.
- Rinse with warm water.
Method 3:
- Mix one teaspoon baking soda with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to form a paste.
- Use a toothbrush to brush your teeth and gums.
- Spit it out and rinse your mouth with warm water.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera plant has amazing antimicrobial properties that are great for fighting bacteria. It helps kill the bacteria that causes bad breath and plaque.
- Take a whole aloe vera leaf and remove the pulp.
- Rub the pulp on your teeth and gums and allow it to remain there for about 10 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water.
- Do this twice a day for the best results.
Use it along with few more ingredients to make a paste and use it to clean your teeth.
- Take one teaspoon of aloe vera gel, four teaspoons of glycerin, 5 tablespoons of baking soda, lemon essential oil and a cup of water.
- Mix these well and scrub your teeth with it.
- Repeat this daily till plaque and tartar is removed.
- After that do this every three to four days.
4. White Vinegar
White vinegar has antibacterial properties which can help in the removal of plaque and tartar and prevent its accumulation. Acetic acid in white vinegar promotes the demineralization of tooth enamel. Prepare a white vinegar solution and use it as a mouthwash regularly. Take half a cup of water and add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar and half a teaspoon of salt to it. Stir it well and use it twice a day to rinse your mouth.
5. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can be very effective in removing tartar, as lemons contain acids that dissolve plaque and whiten the teeth. Dip your toothbrush in fresh lime juice and gently brush your teeth. Wait for at least two minutes before rinsing for a better result.
6. Using Sesame Seeds
You can just put some handful of the sesame seeds in your mouth and start chewing it. These are a nice agent to remove the plaque and tartar from your teeth. Take care that you do not swallow these seeds. You can even brush your teeth while chewing these seeds. It will be very helpful in delicately removing the dirt from the outer surface of your teeth.
7. Orange Peel
You can use the peels directly for your teeth and clean them with it. Just take a piece of orange peel and rub it on your teeth for 2 minutes. Leave the juice on and wash it. You can also make a paste of this and scrub on your teeth. Rinse your mouth with warm water. Repeat this twice or thrice a week. This is a cheap and effective way to get rid of white tartar on your teeth.
8. Guava
The fruit as well as its leaves can help in removing plaque and tartar naturally. They are both strong and effective anti-plaque agents. Not only this, it can help in reducing gum swelling as well. All you need to do is chew some clean guava leaves daily and spit it out. This will reduce the risk of plaque buildup on teeth. You can also take an unripe guava, sprinkle salt over it and chew it once or twice a day.
9. Eating Figs
Figs are very good for removing the plaque and other bacteria from your teeth. Chewing these deliberately and regularly will be very helpful for removing the bacteria. This is very helpful in avoiding the accumulation of the antibacterial properties in your teeth.
10. Apply Vitamin C Rich Foods
Vitamin C rich foods like strawberries and tomatoes have antimicrobial properties and work by removing bacteria from the mouth hence preventing tartar buildup. Prepare a pulp of tomatoes and strawberries and apply on your teeth and leave it on for 5 minutes. Wash it off. Repeat this two times a week till you spot the difference.
11. Cloves
Ground cloves have been widely used as a home remedy to relieve toothaches. It can also be used to fight microbes in your mouth that may cause plaque and tartar. Clove oil is known as a disinfectant oil, and has long been used to treat many oral diseases. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties in clove oil can help fight infections from periodontal disease. Take 1 tablespoon of clove powder and add olive oil to it. Apply this mixture on your teeth, leave for a few minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
12. Eating Spicy Foods
This one is an easy home remedy to get rid of tartar on your teeth. Eating spicy foods improves saliva production in your mouth which helps in cleaning teeth and gums. So, chew some peppers to get rid of tartar and plaque buildup on your teeth.
Prevention Tips:
- Brush regularly, twice a day for 2 minutes at a time.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to safeguard the enamel and facilitate the easy removal of plaque on the teeth.
- Electric brushes are more effective in removing tartar and plaque.
- Avoid smoking as tobacco is responsible for the accumulation of tartar under the gum line.
- Avoid eating foods rich in starch or sugars as they promote bacterial growth in the mouth.
- Use toothpaste with fluoride.
- Floss at least once a day.
- Rinse your mouth after brushing.
- Eat teeth whiting foods like strawberry and leafy vegetables.
- Visit your dentist every 6 months to remove any plaque and tartar that might have formed.
Try these recipes and let us know if you receive relief or not by visiting our comment section.