If you’ve noticed a stubborn, yellowish or brownish buildup on your teeth that won’t go away with regular brushing, it’s likely tartar. Tartar, also known as dental calculus, is hardened plaque that can not only discolor your teeth but also lead to more serious oral health problems. While professional dental cleanings are the most effective way to remove tartar, you might be looking for ways to tackle this issue at home. This guide explores methods to potentially remove tartar at home, emphasizes prevention, and clarifies when professional help is necessary.
Understanding Tartar and Why Removal Matters
Tartar begins as plaque, a sticky, invisible film of bacteria that forms on your teeth after eating and drinking. If plaque isn’t removed regularly through brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar. This hardened deposit is porous and rough, making it easier for more plaque and bacteria to accumulate.
Tartar is more than just a cosmetic issue. Its rough surface irritates the gums, which can lead to inflammation, bleeding, and gum disease (gingivitis). If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease that can damage the soft tissues and bone supporting your teeth, potentially leading to tooth loss. Tartar can also contribute to bad breath and cavities.
Can You Really Remove Tartar at Home?
It’s crucial to understand that once plaque has hardened into tartar, it becomes significantly more challenging to remove. Dental professionals use specialized tools to effectively and safely eliminate tartar without damaging your teeth. While complete tartar removal at home to the same standard as a dentist is unlikely, some home remedies might help soften or reduce tartar buildup, especially when combined with diligent oral hygiene practices.
Trying to aggressively remove tartar at home with sharp objects or harsh abrasives is strongly discouraged. This can damage your tooth enamel, the protective outer layer of your teeth, which is irreversible. The goal of at-home methods should be to gently aid in tartar reduction and, more importantly, to prevent further buildup.
Effective Home Remedies for Tartar Removal (and Prevention)
The following methods are suggested for potentially assisting in tartar reduction and preventing further buildup. Remember, consistency and gentleness are key. These are not replacements for professional dental cleanings but can be supportive measures.
Tartar Removal Toothpaste
Using a toothpaste specifically formulated for tartar control can be a helpful everyday approach. These toothpastes often contain chemical agents that can help prevent plaque from hardening into tartar. They work by interfering with the mineralization process that leads to tartar formation. While they may not remove existing hardened tartar, they can help manage new buildup. It’s important to note that claims about charcoal-based tartar removal toothpastes are not scientifically substantiated and should be approached with skepticism.
Baking Soda
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a mild abrasive that can help scrub away surface stains and plaque. It also has an alkaline pH, which can help neutralize acids in your mouth that contribute to plaque formation. While baking soda can help soften tartar to some extent, it’s not a powerful tartar remover on its own.
How to use: Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to form a paste. Gently brush your teeth with this paste, or combine a small amount of baking soda with your regular toothpaste. Be gentle to avoid enamel abrasion, and don’t use it excessively. You can also leave a baking soda paste on your teeth for about 15 minutes before brushing for a potentially deeper effect, but again, use caution and observe for any sensitivity.
White Vinegar
White vinegar possesses antibacterial properties and is acidic, which can help to demineralize or soften tartar. Using it as a mouthwash might aid in loosening tartar, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
How to use: Create a mouthwash by mixing 2 teaspoons of white vinegar and a pinch of salt into 2 cups of warm water. Swish this mixture in your mouth for a few minutes once or twice a day, preferably after brushing. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain water afterward. Avoid using vinegar if you have open wounds or sensitive gums, as it can cause irritation.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. These qualities can be beneficial in preventing plaque buildup and soothing gum inflammation caused by tartar.
How to use: Aloe vera can be used as a mouthwash or toothpaste. For a mouthwash, mix aloe vera juice with water. For a toothpaste, combine 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel, 4 teaspoons of glycerin, 5 tablespoons of baking soda, and 1 cup of water to create a paste. Brush your teeth with this mixture as needed and rinse well with warm water.
Orange Peels
Orange peels are rich in Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), an antioxidant that is beneficial for gum health. Vitamin C’s acidic nature may help to gently break down tartar and combat plaque bacteria.
How to use: Rub the inside of an orange peel directly onto your teeth and gums, focusing on areas with tartar buildup. Alternatively, mash the inside of the peel with a little water to create a paste and use it to brush your teeth. Do this 2-3 times a week and always rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water afterward.
Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are a natural, abrasive agent that can help scrub plaque and debris from your teeth. They are also high in calcium, which is beneficial for tooth enamel health.
How to use: Put a handful of sesame seeds in your mouth and chew them into a mushy consistency. Then, using a dry toothbrush, brush your teeth and gums with the sesame seed mush for about two minutes. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water afterward. This is suggested as a morning practice.
Spicy Foods
Consuming spicy foods, particularly those containing chili peppers, can stimulate saliva production. Saliva is a natural mouth cleanser that helps wash away food particles and bacteria, reducing plaque accumulation and the likelihood of tartar formation. While not a direct tartar remover, it supports oral hygiene.
How to use: Incorporate spicy foods into your diet. The increased saliva flow while eating them can be beneficial for oral health.
Coconut Oil
Oil pulling with coconut oil is an ancient Ayurvedic practice believed to have oral health benefits. Coconut oil has antibacterial properties that can help reduce bacteria in the mouth that contribute to plaque and tartar formation.
How to use: In the morning before brushing, take about a teaspoon of warm or liquid coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth for 5-20 minutes, ensuring it reaches all areas, including between your teeth. Spit the oil into a trash can (to avoid clogging drains) and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water before brushing your teeth as usual.
Guava Fruit and Leaves
Guava fruit and leaves are known for their anti-plaque properties and benefits for gum health. They can help reduce gum inflammation often associated with tartar buildup.
How to use: You can chew on washed guava leaves for about 2 minutes daily and then spit them out. Alternatively, cut unripe guava into pieces, add a pinch of salt, and chew on it once or twice a day.
Prevention is Your Best Strategy
The most effective way to manage tartar is to prevent it from forming in the first place. Excellent oral hygiene habits are crucial:
- Brush your teeth twice daily: Use fluoride toothpaste and brush for at least two minutes each time, paying attention to all surfaces of your teeth.
- Floss daily: Floss between your teeth and under the gumline to remove plaque from areas your toothbrush can’t reach. Ideally, floss at night.
- Regular dental check-ups: Visit your dentist for check-ups and professional cleanings at least twice a year. Dentists and hygienists have the tools and expertise to remove tartar effectively and identify potential problems early.
- Limit sugary and starchy foods: These foods contribute to plaque formation. Reduce your intake and brush or rinse your mouth after consuming them.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking water, especially after meals, helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
When to See a Dentist
While home remedies might offer some assistance in managing tartar, they are not a substitute for professional dental care. It’s essential to consult a dentist if you notice significant tartar buildup, experience symptoms like bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, or tooth sensitivity.
Seek professional help if:
- You suspect you have tartar buildup that you cannot remove at home.
- You experience signs of gum disease, such as red, swollen, or bleeding gums.
- You have persistent bad breath.
- Your teeth are sensitive.
Dentists and dental hygienists are equipped with specialized tools and techniques, such as scaling and polishing, and ultrasonic devices, to safely and effectively remove tartar from above and below the gumline without damaging your teeth. They can also provide personalized advice on oral hygiene practices and preventative measures.
In Conclusion
Removing tartar from teeth at home is a challenging endeavor, and complete removal to a professional standard is unlikely. However, consistent use of home remedies like tartar control toothpaste, baking soda, vinegar rinses, and natural agents like aloe vera, orange peels, sesame seeds, coconut oil, and guava, combined with excellent daily oral hygiene, might help soften existing tartar and prevent further buildup. Prevention through diligent brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits remains the most effective strategy. Always consult with a dental professional for proper tartar removal and to ensure optimal oral health.
