How To Remove Plaque From Teeth – Senova Blog (2024)

How To Remove Plaque From Teeth – Senova Blog (1)

Our teeth allow us to eat and speak. More importantly, healthy and pearly white teeth give us a beautiful and sparkling smile. But this is only possible when we look after our oral health and maintain optimal oral hygiene. The National Health Service (NHS) recommends brushing twice daily and flossing, along with regular checkup visits to your dentists to keep your teeth and gums and healthy. The goal is to prevent the formation of tartar and plaque buildup on your teeth. But how do plaque and tartar affect our health, and why is it necessary to remove plaque from our teeth? If you are looking for an answer to these questions, then read on. This article explains why tartar removal is essential – and how to do it.

What Is Plaque?

When we eat or drink something, a fine layer of food particles and debris forms on the surfaces of our teeth. This sticky layer, called the dental plaque, adheres to our teeth until we manually remove through brushing and flossing. So, one of the simplest and easiest ways to remove plaque deposits from your teeth is regular oral hygiene maintenance.

What Happens If I Don’t Remove Plaque?

Plaque and tartar buildup does not occur if oral hygiene is maintained on regular basis. However, problems arise when oral hygiene measures are ignored. As a result, the plaque gradually hardens into dental calculus – also known as the tartar. Both the plaque and tartar deposits offer an ideal environment for the harmful bacteria inside the oral cavity to live and replicate inside them. These bacteria utilise the carbohydrates in the tartar and plaque as their food and release toxins.

These toxins destroy the fibres that attach our teeth to the gums and the jaw bone – leading to the formation of gaps or “pockets” between the teeth and the gums – promoting further food impaction. At the same time, these toxins increase the local acidity, which results in the movements of the minerals in our teeth – which keep them strong and healthy – to move out into the oral cavity. As a consequence, the teeth become weak and prone to development of tooth decay.

Best Toothpaste To Remove Plaque?

Plaque and tartar builds only on roughened toot surfaces. If you can keep your teeth surfaces smooth through brushing, then there are very few chances of the development of gum disease. When we talk about the best tartar removal toothpaste, we are talking about one that nuetralizes the bacteria which cause gum disease. Since plaque and calculus physically form on the tooth surface, they must be removed physically as well – by thoroughly cleaning your teeth. The best toothpaste for removing plaque is one which compliments your oral hygiene measures by preventing the proliferation of the harmful bacteria in the oral cavity.

How To Remove Plaque At Home?

If you search the internet, you will find several at-home teeth cleaning products and natural remedies like oil pulling or baking soda. There are also numerous at-home cleaning kits available in the markets which contain equipment that can be used for the physical removal of the plaque and tartar deposits – like the dentists use at thier offices. However, these kits do more harm than good, as one may injure themselves during the proces. Similarly, natural remedies for plaque removal must be used with caution as they may damage your teeth and gums.

Does Rubbing Coconut Oil On Gums Work?

In addition to offering several health benefits, coconut oil also serves as an excellent protective agent. When used properly, it can effectively prevent the formaiton of plaque and tartar deposits on the teeth. “Oil pulling” is a technique in which a tablespoon of oil is swished in the mouth for about 5-10 minutes in the morning before brushing teeth. Afterwards, the oil is discarded and the mouth is rinsed with water. Research has shown that coconut oil can prove beneficial in preventing gum disease and oral hygiene maintenance. However, it should not be considered as an alternative to regular oral hygiene measures such as brushing and flossing..

Can You Dissolve Tartar With Vinegar?

Apple cider vinegar is a popular remedy for whitening teeth and removal of tartar deposits. While it is effective in chemically removing plaque from the teeth, apple cider vinegar can damage your teeth and gums. This is because vinegar is highly acidic; in addition to dissolving teeth stains and tartar, it also chelates tooth minerals such as Calcium and Phosphorous – the building blocks of our teeth and bones. The frequent application of apple cider vinegar makes our teeth weak and prone to the development of teeth cavities – even fracture.

What Is The Best Way To Remove Plaque From Teeth?

When it comes to your oral care and physical wellbeing, you can never be too careful. While at-home teeth cleaning kits and remedies seem simple, time and cost-effective, they actually prove to be harmful for your teeth in the longer run. Hence, it is always best to let the Professionals take care of your oral health. Dentists and periodontists are trained in diagnosing dental problems well before they are visible to the naked eye – or before they cause permanent damage. This is why the American Dental Association recommends you to visit your dentist regularly for checkups – so that you can enjoy good oral health, and a lasting, beautiful smile.

A healthy smile is a beautiful smile. If you are looking to get your teeth professionally cleaned in Hertfordshire, then Senova Dental Studios is where you should go. Equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, and boasting and team of highly qualified and experienced dentla team, Senova Dental will take care of all your dental problems under one roof.

So, take you first step towards a healthy and attractive smile today and book a consultation with our dentists today. A rockstar smile awaits you at Senova Dental.

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Dr Jay Padayachy

GDC REGISTRATION NO. 64358

A graduate of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Dental school, Dr Padayachy has been a dentist at the award winning Senova Dental Studios in Watford since 1998 focusing on comprehensive restorative and cosmetic dentistry.

Jay has previously been the president of The London Dental Fellowship.

He has been a member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry since its inception and serves on the Credentialing committee. Jay has lectured widely on all aspects of cosmetic dentistry, dental photography and comprehensive care.

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How To Remove Plaque From Teeth – Senova Blog (2024)

FAQs

How To Remove Plaque From Teeth – Senova Blog? ›

“Oil pulling” is a technique in which a tablespoon of oil is swished in the mouth for about 5-10 minutes in the morning before brushing teeth. Afterwards, the oil is discarded and the mouth is rinsed with water.

How do you remove hardened plaque? ›

The best way to remove plaque and tartar is to practice good oral hygiene. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. They also recommend flossing once a day. Flossing first will remove pieces of food and plaque from between the teeth and hard-to-reach areas.

What breaks up plaque on teeth? ›

In order to resolve this problem, the best thing you can do is brush and floss twice a day. Brushing removes plaque that has built up on your teeth. In addition, it removes loose food particles that contribute to the development of plaque.

What dissolves oral plaque? ›

White vinegar. The acetic acid in white vinegar has antibacterial properties and promotes demineralization of tooth enamel, making it effective in removing tartar and plaque. Add half a teaspoon of salt to half a cup of water and add two teaspoons of white vinegar to it. Stir it well and gargle the mixture twice a day.

How long does it take vinegar to remove tartar from teeth? ›

Results: A minimum immersion of 2 h in 25% vinegar solution combined with brushing attained efficiency of 74.13 ± 22% calculus removal.

Can I scrape plaque off my own teeth? ›

Although plaque scrapers can be purchased in some stores and online, it's not a good idea to use them yourself. Because plaque scrapers are sharp, improper use can damage the delicate gum tissue. Trauma to the gum tissue isn't just painful, it can also cause receding gums, exposing the sensitive roots of the teeth.

What dissolves plaque build up? ›

Baking soda can effectively remove the plaque without damaging the outer covering of teeth— enamel. Baking soda is safe to use with no apparent side effects. Toothpaste containing baking soda is more potent against plaque than traditional toothpaste.

What eats plaque on teeth? ›

As we mentioned before, saliva is a natural neutralizer of the plaque and bacteria found on your teeth. Celery is also abrasive, so it scrubs and brushes your teeth as you eat it, removing food particles.

Can hardened plaque fall off? ›

Yes, tartar can break off of your teeth, perhaps when you're eating hard foods or brushing too hard.

What naturally breaks down plaque? ›

Brush with Baking Soda

Does baking soda remove plaque from teeth? This is a question we're often asked and the short answer is yes, it does! Baking soda neutralizes acid and helps kill bacteria. Put a small amount of baking soda on your toothbrush (around a tablespoon is fine), and then wet the toothbrush.

What softens tartar on teeth? ›

Removing Tartar with Baking Soda

Leave the baking soda on for at least fifteen minutes before rinsing. While not exactly tasty, baking soda can neutralize harmful acids from things like sodas and foods while also killing bacteria and whitening teeth naturally.

Is it harmful to brush teeth with baking soda? ›

Does brushing with baking soda damage teeth? Brushing once a day with baking soda or on occasion will not damage the teeth. However, brushing too hard or too often with it can lead to damaged tooth enamel. Some people also mix the baking soda with lemon juice, strawberries or other ingredients to clean the teeth.

What do hygienists use to remove plaque? ›

Powered and Hand-Held Scalers

A powered scaler is a dental tool that functions as an ultrasonic cleaner for your teeth. It not only works as a very effective plaque remover, but it also makes use of ultrasonic frequencies to remove tartar deposits from your teeth and areas just below the gum line.

What removes hardened tartar? ›

Tartar removing toothpaste, baking soda, white vinegar and aloe vera all have antimicrobial properties which both treat and prevent tartar. The remaining at-home remedies focus on preventing plaque from hardening.

Does hydrogen peroxide remove plaque from teeth? ›

Using a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide with water (the kind available in most pharmacies), can help remove plaque from the surface of your teeth and reverse the earliest signs of gum disease. You can also try a hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse by swirling a solution made of half water and half 3% hydrogen peroxide.

Is Too Much vinegar bad for your teeth? ›

And while it doesn't have any specific recommendations around drinking or not drinking apple cider vinegar, the American Dental Association agrees that “prolonged contact” between teeth and acidic foods or drinks like apple cider vinegar can put teeth at risk for enamel erosion.

Can hardened plaque break off teeth? ›

As surprising as it is, tartar can actually break off your teeth quite easily. Even though it is strong, it is not prone to chipping away. Sometimes, eating too many hard foods, brushing your teeth aggressively, or even flossing with an improper technique can trigger the breakage.

Can hardened plaque be removed from arteries? ›

Atherectomy is a peripheral intervention that opens arteries blocked by plaque. During atherectomy, your provider uses a catheter (a long, narrow tube) with a sharp blade, laser or rotating device on the end to scrape away, dissolve or break up plaque without making a large incision.

Does hydrogen peroxide remove hard plaque? ›

Using a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide with water (the kind available in most pharmacies), can help remove plaque from the surface of your teeth and reverse the earliest signs of gum disease. You can also try a hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse by swirling a solution made of half water and half 3% hydrogen peroxide.

How to remove calcium deposits on teeth at home? ›

Brushing and flossing alone can't remove these deposits, so dentists employ procedures like scaling and polishing to remove them. Preventing tartar involves proper brushing, daily flossing, regular dental check-ups, and limiting sweet snacks.

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