Plaque and tartar (calculus) can be taken off of teeth by a dentist. But doing things like brushing twice a day and flossing every day may help stop tartar buildup and get rid of plaque at home.
When people eat, bacteria in their mouths turn the carbs in food into acid. Plaque is made when this mixes with leftover food and spit.
Plaque and tartar don’t usually form on teeth if you brush and floss every day. On the other hand, tartar can be harder to get rid of, and you may need to go to the dentist’s office for a skilled cleaning.
Bad breath, cavities, and gum disease can all be caused by not taking care of your teeth and gums. A new study suggests that gum disease may also be linked to other health problems, such as pneumonia, dementia, and heart disease.
This piece shows you easy ways to get rid of plaque and stop tartar from building up at home.
What is Plaque?
Plaque is made up of germs that stick to your teeth, both above and below the gum line. It’s the plaque film that makes your teeth feel fuzzy when you run your tongue over them.
There are germs in your mouth all the time because you need them to break down and absorb food. Bacteria in your mouth break down sugars and carbs when you eat. The sticky, acidic film that makes up plaque is mostly made up of these partially broken-down carbohydrates.
Plaque can cause cavities, gum disease, and other problems with your teeth and gums if you don’t get rid of it. Plaque is easy to get rid of, though. Just brush and floss your teeth every day and see your dentist once a year for a cleaning.
What is Tartar (calculus)?
Tartar (calculus) is made up of hardened plaque. It is also known as tooth calculus. Plaque that you don’t get rid of by brushing and flossing turns into tartar over time.
People who spit or eat germs that have died have calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, and magnesium phosphate formed. As much as you brush and floss, it won’t go away. Your dental hygienist or doctor will have to clean it off your teeth.
What does Tartar (calculus) Look Like?
If you have tartar on your teeth, especially near your gums, it may look like yellow, brown, or black spots.
Plaque Vs. Tartar (calculus)
Plaque, on the other hand, is usually clear, so you might not be able to see it. But it might change the color of your teeth so they look brown or yellow.
How To Get Rid Of Calculus On Teeth
Once tartar (calculus) has grown on your teeth, only a dentist will be able to get rid of it. Getting your teeth cleaned by a dentist should be something you do about once or twice a year. Since your last cleaning, plaque and tartar may have formed. They will get rid of it.
Plaque and tartar may build up faster on some people, so they may need to see their doctor more than twice a year. Based on your oral health, ask your doctor how often you should get your teeth cleaned.
How To Remove Tartar (calculus) From Teeth Without a Dentist
Do not try to clean your teeth of tartar by yourself. Your teeth and gums could get hurt, which could make you more likely to get cavities, gum disease, and lose teeth. Although we are sharing a DIY tips to keep your teeth from getting tartar:
1. Brushing The Teeth
A soft-bristle toothbrush is best for brushing your teeth. Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day. The best way to brush your teeth might include:
- Short, spiral strokes are what you should use.
- First, brush the back of your mouth with your upper teeth.
- It is suggested that you brush both the front and back of your upper teeth.
- Do these steps again on the bottom teeth (1-3).
- When it comes to toothbrushes, manual ones can work well for getting rid of plaque and tartar. But electric toothbrushes with heads that move back and forth are better at getting rid of plaque and gum disease.
2. Toothpaste
The best way to get rid of calculus on your teeth is with a tartar-control brush. Pyrophosphates and fluoride are the main ingredients in these kinds of toothpaste. They help get rid of the bacteria that cause plaque, which keeps your teeth healthy and free of disease.
3. Flossing
Flossing is an important part of good oral health. When you floss, you clean parts of your teeth that you can’t reach with a toothbrush.
Plaque and food bits that get stuck are removed by flossing. Plaque and leftover food can cause bad breath if they are not cleaned up. To keep your teeth clean and free of germs, you should brush at least once a day.
4. Mouthwash
Rinse your mouth out with mouthwash after you brush and floss your teeth. Most of these mouthwashes have fluoride in them, which keeps teeth free of plaque.
If you have gingivitis or another weak germ disease, use a stronger mouthwash. Antiseptic mouthwashes may be prescribed to you by your doctor.
5. Diet
Plaque and tartar growth can be changed by what you eat. The bacteria in your mouth like foods that are sweet or fatty and turn them into acids that are bad for you. Cut down on the amount of sugary foods you eat.
You should stay away from:
- Sweets, cakes, and cookies
- Chips and some dried foods are high in sugar and starch.
- Soft drinks and sodas
- Fruit juices
6. Avoid Smoking
Tartar can build up in your mouth if you smoke. Don’t smoke.
Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Tartar At Home
1. Brushing Teeth With Baking Soda
Baking soda can get rid of plaque without hurting the enamel that covers the outside of your teeth. Baking soda is safe to use and doesn’t seem to have any bad affects. Toothpaste with baking soda works better than regular toothpaste at getting rid of plaque. Demineralization can also be stopped with baking soda.
Demineralization is a chemical process that takes calcium out of tooth enamel. It works best when the pH level is low, or more acidic. Carbohydrate-rich foods make the mouth very acidic by lowering the pH level by a large amount. Because baking soda has a high pH level, it slows down the loss of minerals in the mouth.
There are many kinds of bacteria living in our bodies. Some of them are bad, but most of them are good. Tooth loss is caused by streptococcus mutans, a really bad bacteria. Studies show that baking soda can lower the amount of S. mutans by a large amount.
2. Oil Pulling With Coconut Oil
Oil pulling is another way to keep bacteria in your mouth at bay. It keeps your mouth germ-free, which is good for your general oral health.
Coconut oil is a good choice for this method because it can reduce inflammation, protect cells from damage, and kill germs. People with gingivitis can cut their tooth plaque by half by oil pulling.
To do oil pulling, all you have to do is put warm coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around for a few minutes. Then, spit out the oil.
You can also use almond, peanut, or olive oil; they will also work for oil pulling.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar To Remove Tartar
You don’t have to go to the doctor to get rid of plaque and tartar, but apple cider vinegar can help. Using acetic acid to break down the minerals in the plaque that is on tooth enamel can help lift the plaque off of the teeth.
Apple cider vinegar can kill the bacteria that cause cavities and bad breath because it is also antimicrobial.
But if you use this vinegar too much, it can hurt your teeth enamel in a way that can’t be fixed.
4. Using Orange Peels For Tartar
To your surprise, orange peel’s vitamin C and germ-killing properties can get rid of tartar without having to visit the doctor. You can either rub orange peel against your gums for two minutes or turn it into a powder that you can use to brush your teeth.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is good for you in many ways, and it can also get rid of tartar on your teeth. Even though it tastes bitter, rubbing the juice of fresh aloe vera leaves on your teeth can help get rid of tartar and bacteria in your mouth.
6. Guava
Both the leaves and the fruits of the guava plant are very good at fighting plaque and stopping it from forming. This might help make your gums less swollen.
Best Toothpaste For Tartar (calculus) Removal
You can brush your teeth at home, but tartar won’t go away, and you don’t need a special toothpaste to stop it. Pick any toothpaste that has fluoride in it and brush your teeth twice a day. You can fix any damage to your teeth with fluoride, and it can also keep the damage from getting worse.
Your doctor may give you a special toothpaste with triclosan if you have gingivitis or gum disease. This toothpaste can kill the bacteria that cause plaque and tartar (calculus).
Floss every day to get rid of the plaque that forms between your teeth and above your gum line, where your toothbrush can’t reach.
How Can I Prevent Tartar (calculus) Buildup?
Tartar (calculus) should not form in the first place if you want to escape problems like cavities and gum disease. To keep your teeth from getting tartar:
- Every day, brush your teeth two or three times. Fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft bristles are good for you. (When you buy dental care items, look for the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. This means they’ve been through strict tests to make sure they’re safe and work well.
- Every day, floss between your teeth. Floss or tiny brushes that fit between your teeth are both good options. Ask your dentist or hygienist what products they think are best.
- Do this twice a day with an alcohol-free, germ-killing spray. This helps get rid of the bacteria in your mouth that make plaque and tartar build up.
- Don’t smoke or use other tobacco goods. Tartar is much more likely to form on the teeth of people who smoke or chew tobacco, according to research.
- You should see your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. For good teeth and gums, you must brush and floss at home. But you still need to have regular checkups and cleanings with a dentist. Many people are fine with going to the doctor twice a year for checkups. Some people may need to make meetings more often. Talk to your doctor about what times work best for you.
Takeaways
If you have plaque on your teeth, it turns into tartar. If you don’t get rid of it, it can lead to teeth and gum disease. You can’t get rid of it on your own; you’ll need to see your dentist for a cleaning. Good oral health is the best way to keep tartar from building up. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day, and get your teeth cleaned about every six months.
Calculus on Teeth FAQs
Can a Waterpik Remove Tartar (calculus)?
No, a Waterpik or any other type of water flosser can’t get rid of tartar. But it can get rid of the plaque that turns into tartar. There are even studies that show that a water flosser might be able to get rid of plaque a little better than string floss, especially between your teeth.
Can Tooth Tartar (calculus) Break Off?
Tartar can come off your teeth, maybe when you eat something tough or brush too hard. If you do this, your teeth may get rough or sharp spots near your gums. As soon as you notice this, you should get your teeth cleaned at the dentist.
Does Hydrogen Peroxide Dissolve Tartar (calculus)?
Hydrogen peroxide can help get rid of the plaque that turns into tartar, but it doesn’t destroy tartar itself.
Is Tartar Removal Painful?
It’s not painful most of the time, but some people may find it uncomfortable. If you have sensitive teeth, gums that are swollen, or a lot of tartar on your teeth, you may feel more pain when your dental hygienist removes the tartar. This is usually because gum recession exposes the root of your tooth. If it makes you feel bad, talk to your doctor. They might be able to make your gums feel better before the cleaning.