Tartar and plaque are normal dental conditions that result not because of infections and pathogens, but due to the common chemical reactions that place between food, saliva and enzymes secreted by the gums. Though plaque and tartar don’t cause serious diseases themselves, they do act as precursors to a number of known dental ailments. Also, if left unattended they can cause discoloration, bad odor, and formation of hard crystalline deposits on the interface between teeth and gums. Plaque build-up on teeth initially forms as a sticky layer on the surface of teeth and slowly deposits over time near the gums. Tartar on the other hand forms due to binding of calcium and phosphate leading to hard crusty deposits. Numerous home remedies for getting rid of plaque and tartar exist, which are discussed here.
Possible Causes for Tartar and Plaque
- Sugary foods
- High fat content foods
- High calorie beverages
- Improper brushing habits
- Lack of regular flossing
- Regular red meat consumption
- Lack of a balanced diet
Symptoms
- Formation of a sticky layer
- Discoloration
- Bad odor
- Bleeding of gums
- Visible deposits at the bottom of teeth
- Darkening of gums
- Severe yellowing of teeth
Home remedies for Getting Rid of Plaque and Tartar
1. Baking soda
The bleaching effect produced by baking soda can help remove discoloration and also the hard deposits that form of the gums. To make an effective home remedy, mix a heap of baking soda with a pinch of salt and add few drops of water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the teeth using a toothbrush and rinse off completely. Repeat the procedure at regular intervals till the whiteness of your teeth is restored.
2. Silk Thread Floss
The natural strength and the biocompatible properties of silk make it an excellent flossing material. And it has been in use for ages before the dental floss was invented. Unlike synthetic floss material, silk is believed to strengthen the gums than just clean it. Grab a few strands of silk fiber and use it like regular floss material to watch plaque deposits fade away.
3. Salsa
The fiery hot sauce from the Mexican cuisine not just adds spice to your food but is effective at cleansing your teeth as well. Salsa sauces stimulate the secretion of saliva which when combined with the active ingredients of the sauce such as salt, chilies, tomato etc. form an active plaque removal compound.
4. Pineapple
Rich in vitamin C, pineapples are the perfect super foods for an overall oral hygiene. Besides preventing gum disease, pineapples also help cleanse the teeth of plaque and tartar. Simply include a few portions of pineapple to your daily diet to remove the deposits and discoloration resulting from plaque.
5. Green Tea
It has been known for centuries that consuming tea on a regular basis is one of the best home remedies for getting rid of plaque. Also when used as a hot rinse, green tea can be effective at removing the yellow phosphates formed on the surface of the teeth that cause discoloration. To prepare the hot rinse, brew the tea at least for six minutes to extract all the fluorides and use it when it’s lukewarm to get the best results.
6. Aloe Vera Scrub
To effectively clean tartar at home without having to undergo painful dental procedures, aloe can be the perfect ingredient. Mix half a cup of baking soda in a cup of water, and add one teaspoon of aloe gel, four teaspoons of vegetable glycerin, and few drops of lemon oil to create a rinse liquid. Use it to cleanse mouth every day to remove calculus on teeth.
7. Green Leafy Vegetables
Lack of a balanced diet, especially one that does not include a lot of vegetables can accelerate plaque formation. So, counter the formation of plaque by consuming raw leafy greens such as cabbage, lettuce, spinach, etc, which possess natural enzymes that retard the formation of plaque. Also they help in keeping the gums healthy.
Read 15 Superfoods to Build Healthy and Stronger Teeth & Gums
8. Sesame Oil Rinse
A technique that has gained widespread popularity due to its numerous health benefits is oil pulling.It is believed that the technique can eliminate toxins from the body and ensure a picture perfect oral hygiene. To perform oil pulling, take one teaspoon of sesame seed oil and rinse your mouth for 20 minutes on an empty stomach. This will flush out all the toxins, plaque and tartar deposited in your teeth and gums.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar
Of the numerous health benefits Apple cider vinegar has to offer, oral hygiene tops the list. The mild acidic action of vinegar serves to cleanse plaque, remove bad odor and also provide relief from toothache. Though an undiluted preparation will increase the efficiency, it recommended to dilute the vinegar to prevent a sore throat later.
10. Cheese
Contrary to popular belief, cheese is actually quite beneficial to health when consumed in smaller proportions. In terms of oral hygiene, it is one of the best home remedies for getting rid of plaque and tartar. It can destroy cavity causing bacteria and protect the enamel of the tooth. Just take a small chunk of cheese right after a meal to ensure healthy teeth for a lifetime.
11. Orange Peel
Another vitamin C rich remedy that’s sure to knock plaque right out of your teeth. Simply rub freshly obtained orange peels directly on to the teeth and gums and allow it act overnight. Rinse off in the morning to see visibly clean and whiter teeth. The technique also helps to remove yellowish stains on teeth.
12. Cloves
Cloves contain eugenol that is known to benefit oral health for centuries. Chewing one or two cloves on a regular basis helps to remove the bad odor produced by tartar and kill bacteria that might be growing around you gums due to plaque. But chewing too many cloves can hurt your gums too, so keep it to a minimum.
13. Banana Peel Rub
The unsung hero of oral health, banana peels are one of the lesser home remedies for getting rid of plaque and tartar. Banana peels have an active ingredient that can scrub out plaque and also whiten teeth. Peels with dark spots on them are considered to best for teeth whitening.
14. Coriander
Coriander has natural anti-bacterial properties that can help in cleansing your mouth of any bacterial infection. Also when combined with thyme, and green tea and used as rinse it acts an active teeth whitening agent too.
15. Strawberries
To instantly get sparkling white teeth, simply take a few slices or cold strawberries and gently apply them on the plaque affected region. Leave the extract to act on your teeth and rinse off completely, you should visible removal of plaque. Also adding baking soda to the pulp enhances the effect as well.
16. Lemons
Lemon is considered as an active ingredient in fighting off plaque, gingivitis, tartar, and an array of other gum diseases. Just take a slightly concentrated portion of lemon juice each day to get rid of plaque and tartar.
17. Ginger Oil
Clear any plaque buildup and bacterial infection in your teeth with a simple garlic oil mouth rinse. Chewing raw garlic is also known to help in preventing tartar buildup.
The right way to use these remedies and preventing plaque and tartar
- Rinse properly after using these home remedies
- Do not swallow these edible items; chew instead
- Discontinue if gums begin to bleed
- Do not use these remedies right after brushing
- Avoid eating acidic foods