How to Remove Tartar From Teeth – Tartar buildup is a big problem. It can give you problems with your teeth and cause a lot of pain for you. Since it is hard to remove by yourself, you should take a trip to the dentist. However, if you do not want to waste your time and money on visiting the dentist, here are some home remedies that you could try out.
Tartar is the hardened plaque that forms on your teeth. Over time, it can build up into a rock-like substance that is impossible to remove using a toothbrush or floss. In this article, we tell you how to eliminate tartar from your teeth for good! We’ll walk you through the best ways of removing tartar from your teeth and prevent Tartar buildup in the future.
Table of Contents
What Is Tartar?
Tartar, also known as calculus, comprises the buildup of plaque and minerals that harden (calcify) on teeth. Tartar builds up between teeth and on the fronts and backs of teeth, feels crusty to the touch, and presents a yellow or brown hue. Tartar results from eating foods high in sugar and starches and by brushing and flossing fewer than two times per day. Tarter build-up is also specific to the each persons body chemistry. Some people will build excessive tarter while brushing and flossing three times per day while others brush only once and have no signs of tarter. Stress, age and the health of the immune system are significant factors affecting the presence of calculus build up in the adult population.
Signs of Tartar Buildup
Tartar that builds up above the gum line may be yellow, tan, or brown and often spreads to cover a larger portion of teeth when not removed. Tartar that builds up below the gum line may be brown or black and may lead to receding gums, bone loss, and/ or periodontal disease. Other signs of tartar buildup include bad breath, irritated and bleeding gums, tooth sensitivity, and cavities. Gums may also be raised and bright red due to inflammation.
How Does Tartar Impact Your Oral Health?
Tartar buildup poses a detrimental effect on your oral health, eventually leading to chronic bad breath, gingivitis, cavities, gum disease, bone loss and eventually tooth loss. Tartar can be extremely difficult to remove without professional treatment and increases the risk for a wide range of other health problems when left unaddressed. For instance, gum disease triggered by tartar buildup increases the risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, as reported by the Department of Health and Human Services.
How to Remove Tartar From Teeth
Method 1: Brushing Your Teeth the Right Way
- 1Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Since tartar is caused by plaque buildup, it’s important to remove plaque by brushing your teeth for about 2 minutes at least twice every day.
- Wait about 30 minutes after you eat before you brush, since eating can soften the enamel on your teeth. If you brush too soon after eating, you can remove enamel, which will weaken your teeth over time.
- Brush the front, back, and chewing surface of your teeth. Make sure to brush every side of each tooth to fully remove plaque. If you’re using a manual toothbrush, hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. For an electric toothbrush, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you are using the brush correctly.
- When you brush your teeth, use soft or extra-soft toothbrush, and brush gently in a circular motion, rather than scrubbing your teeth. If you brush too hard or you use a medium- or hard-bristled brush, it can cause abrasion on your teeth and lead to recession of your gums.[4]
- Use a toothbrush approved by the American Dental Association (ADA), as these must undergo a variety of safety and quality control tests.[5]
- Be sure to brush your tongue to remove bacteria there as well.
- Use a toothpaste with fluoride and tartar control. Fluoride is a mineral which strengthens tooth enamel and helps reverse acid damage. Your toothpaste should always contain fluoride, even if you live in an area where fluoride is added to the drinking water. You should also look for a toothpaste with tartar control. These use chemical compounds or antibiotics to destroy plaque, which prevents tartar buildup.
- Fluoride helps re-mineralize the enamel on your teeth, which can help prevent future cavities from forming.
- Add baking soda to your toothpaste once a week. When you add baking soda to your toothpaste, it can destroy plaque, whiten your teeth, and fight bad breath. Pour a little baking soda into a dish and dip your moistened toothbrush into it before adding your toothpaste.
- Using baking soda too often can lead to enamel damage, so do this about once a week.
- Rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash after brushing. Antiseptic mouthwashes help kill the bacteria which feed plaque. By destroying these, you’re making it harder for plaque to grow and form into tartar.
Method 2: Using Other Methods to Remove Tartar
- Floss once a day. Plaque can build up between your teeth, where it’s hard to remove simply by brushing. Use regular dental floss or y-shaped floss picks to remove food particles and plaque buildup so tartar can’t form between your teeth.
- If you see blood when you floss, it means that your gums are inflamed. Typically, this means you need to be more consistent with flossing. However, your gums will heal, so don’t panic.
- Use a dental scraper once a week. A dental scraper, or dental scaler, is a small tool which removes plaque and tartar from your teeth. It is similar to the tools your dentist uses. It should be curved to easily reach the spaces between your teeth, and should have a narrow or sharp tip.
- To use the dental scraper, hold the tip against your tooth at your gumline and slowly glide it towards the biting edge of the tooth. Rinse it under running water, then repeat until all teeth are smooth and free of tartar. Use a handheld mirror to help you see tartar buildup, which looks like white or yellow stains.
- Eat a diet rich in raw vegetables. When you eat raw vegetables, the process of chewing the tough, fibrous material can actually help clean your teeth. Try substituting sugary snacks for veggies like carrots, celery, and broccoli.
- The bacteria that cause plaque love starchy and sugary foods. The more of these you eat, the more bacteria will thrive in your mouth. Be mindful of eating these foods only in moderation, and rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash shortly after eating.
- Quit smoking if you do smoke. People who smoke have been shown to have higher levels of tartar than those who do not. This is due in part to the fact that smoking limits your mouth’s ability to fight off bacteria, including the bacteria which causes plaque. In addition, tartar buildup can lead to infections, which you will have a harder time defending against as well. [16]
- Write down your reasons for wanting to quit and remind yourself of these to stay strong through the quitting process. If you need more help to quit smoking, consider nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine gum, patches, or lozenges.
- If it’s too hard to quit all at once, try cutting back at first. Gradually reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke every day until you don’t smoke anymore.
- If you are a smoker or you use tobacco, keep in mind that you may need to have your teeth cleaned every 3 months, rather than twice a year
- Visit your dentist every six months to remove tartar. Don’t miss those dental checkups, even if you’re practicing good dental hygiene on your own. Once tartar forms, it’s almost impossible to remove all of it on your own, so you’ll need to have a professional cleaning every 6 months.
- Tartar buildup is more than just unsightly. Your body sees tartar as an infection and tries to attack it. Long-term tartar buildup can weaken your immune system and lead to other health problems throughout your body, including stroke, heart disease, and dementia.
Conclusion
Tartar on teeth is a major problem. It consists of calcified plaque deposits that get formed along the gum line and even beneath the gums. These tartar formations can get close to the nerve area of the tooth, causing pain. If left unchecked for a long time, plaque can build up and harden, resulting in a dental condition known as calculus.