Table of Contents
- Key Points
- What Is Plaque and What Causes It?
- How to Prevent Plaque Buildup
- How Do You Remove Hardened Plaque?
- Can You Dissolve Plaque Buildup?
- Other Approaches for Removing Plaque Buildup at Home
- Learn More About Plaque and Tartar Removal at Home
- References
Key Points
- It is difficult to remove plaque or “tartar” with at-home methods; it usually requires professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist.
- There are some ways to perform plaque removal at home, depending on the severity, and prevent buildup in the first place.
- New products that leverage technological innovations can be effective at dissolving minor plaque buildup as well.
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 42 percent of all adults older than 30 have some level of gum disease, and upwards of 8 percent have severe gum disease.1 The leading cause of gum disease is plaque buildup and tartar.
While proper dental hygiene—including regular brushing and flossing—can do a lot to stave off plaque, the most effective means for addressing it is professional dental cleaning. However, there are some other things you can do at home.
This article explores what those are, along with some basic information about the causes of plaque and the repercussions for failing to address it. Keep reading to find out how to stay on top of these threats and ensure optimal dental health.
What Is Plaque and What Causes It?
Dental plaque is a sticky film that forms on teeth. It is a mixture of bacteria, food particles, and saliva.
Plaque buildup can irritate gums and cause inflammation. If left untreated, it could lead to gum disease, also known as “gingivitis” (early stages) or “periodontitis” (advanced gum disease).
The accumulation of bacteria and food particles in plaque can also lead to halitosis or bad breath. Bacteria in plaque produce acids that erode tooth enamel as well. This too can lead to cavities and other forms of tooth decay.
In addition, there is a strong link between plaque and other health conditions. According to Harvard Medical School, people with poor oral health, including gum disease, also have higher rates of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack and stroke.2
How to Prevent Plaque Buildup
There are several effective ways to prevent plaque buildup before it becomes severe. These include:
- Dietary changes
- Regular brushing
- Regular flossing
- Using mouthwash
- Routine dental checkups
First, if you experience recurring problems with plaque and tartar, dietary changes could help. Try cutting back on sugar, starch, and acidic foods. These include things like:
- Sweets and candy
- Bread
- White potatoes
- Chips
- Soda
- Sports drinks
- Citrus juices
Brushing at least twice a day can help stave off plaque buildup as well. Using a fluoride toothpaste can be particularly effective.
Flossing daily is also an effective plaque-removal home remedy. It helps disrupt plaque that has begun to accumulate between your teeth. Using mouthwash can kill plaque bacteria, the main culprit of tooth decay.
Finally, seeing your local dentist on a regular basis can help prevent plaque accumulation and treat buildup. Dental professionals are skilled at cleaning difficult-to-reach surfaces of the teeth and identifying severe signs of the impact of plaque, such as cavities and tooth decay.
How Do You Remove Hardened Plaque?
If plaque is not removed from teeth it becomes tartar, also known as “dental calculus.” While plaque is solf and colorless, tartar is hard and yellow in appearance. It is much more challenging to eliminate.
Tartar can lead to more serious problems than plaque alone. These include:
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Tooth loss
- Chronic bad breath
When plaque buildup gets to the point where it hardens and becomes tartar, it should be addressed by a dentist or dental hygienist. They will use specialized cleaning procedures to scrap and rinse away the tartar. This is known as “scaling” or “root planing.”
Scraping off plaque and even aggressive brushing to remove it on your own can irritate gums and damage tooth enamel. This can cause even more significant damage to teeth.
Can You Dissolve Plaque Buildup?
While good oral hygiene is the best way to control plaque buildup, some specific solutions can combat plaque accumulation. First, fluoride can help dissolve it. Look for fluoride toothpaste for an at-home remedy.
Baking soda has been touted as a natural remedy for removing plaque. Dip a wet toothbrush in baking soda and gently brush your teeth. It is important to thoroughly rinse afterward.
There are several ways the baking soda can combat plaque. First, it has a high pH level, which can protect against demineralization, or the diminishment of calcium in tooth enamel. This is a chemical process that occurs as carbohydrates from food lower the pH level in the mouth, which baking soda neutralizes.3
The mouth is home to a diverse ecosystem of bacteria. Many are beneficial, while others like Streptococcus mutans, can lead to tooth decay. Baking soda has antimicrobial properties that can kill harmful bacteria and protect teeth and gums.
There are also some risks to using baking soda that you should be aware of. One is that it is mildly abrasive, which makes it effective at removing surface stains and plaque, but using it excessively can damage tooth enamel.
It is best to consult your dentist before employing this DIY plaque-removal technique. Also, keep in mind that, while it can be effective, it is not a substitute for regular brushing and flossing.
Other Approaches of Plaque Removal at Home
Innovations in technology have yielded some plaque-removal products that are safe to use at home. Remember that these are not a supplement to regular dental cleanings or meticulous dental hygiene, but they can help keep plaque and tartar under control between visits.
Ultrasonic tooth cleaners use high-frequency vibrations to loosen plaque from the surfaces of teeth and pressurized water to rinse it away. Water flossers use pulsating streams of water to remove plaque. These can be especially effective at targeting hard-to-reach areas between teeth. Both these technologies are safe and relatively affordable.
Keep in mind that these techniques and technologies may be helpful for minor plaque removal at home, but they may not be effective at removing tartar or even plaque that has begun to harden.
Learn More About Plaque and Tartar Removal at Home
While not a substitute for regular brushing and flossing or routine dental checkups, using the techniques and technologies described above can be a great way to do plaque removal at home. An experienced dentist can further advise you on the best at-home plaque removal approaches based on your unique dental health needs and goals.
Wells Family Dental Group provides the highest quality restorative and cosmetic dental services in the Raleigh area. Our goal with each patient is to identify the best procedures and treatments based on their unique oral health goals. Reach out to us today today to schedule an appointment to discuss options for the best home remedy for plaque removal from teeth.
References
- “Gum Disease: By the Numbers,” Medline Plus Magazine, National Institutes of Health, January 2018, retrieved on December 10, 2024, from: https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/gum-disease-by-the-numbers.
- Shmerling, Robert H., “Gum Disease and the Connection to Heart Disease,” Harvard Health Publishing, October 2024, retrieved on December 10, 2024, from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/gum-disease-and-the-connection-to-heart-disease.
- Ciancio, Sebastian G., “Baking Soda Dentifrices and Oral Health,” The Journal of the American Dental Association, November 2017, retrieved on December 10, 2024, from: https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30822-X/fulltext.