How To Avoid Tooth Tartar With Eight Homemade Tips
In addition to being aesthetically unpleasant, tartar can end up damaging your teeth and gums.
Edited and resized image by Kevin Grieve is available on Unsplash
How to remove tartar from teeth is a frequent question asked by those who have noticed that teeth become more and more yellow over time. If you're one of those people, check out eight practical tips on how to remove plaque to prevent tartar buildup on teeth. But, remember: depending on the case, when the tartar is already formed, it is better to seek dental help, as tartar can cause irreversible damage to the gums and dental arch.
In dentistry, tartar is called dental calculus, resulting from the mineralization of bacterial plaque or biofilm. After about 21 days, if the bacterial biofilm is not removed, there is a fixation of a bacterial community. Thus, tartar appears on the inside and outside of the gum line. In addition to being aesthetically unpleasant, tartar can end up damaging teeth and gums if not removed.
The easiest way to prevent tartar buildup is to brush your teeth at least twice a day. You should use a soft brush that needs to be replaced every three months. You might also consider using an electric toothbrush, which can be more efficient than a traditional toothbrush.
Floss before brushing:
- Hold 6 inches of floss, wrapping one end around each of your middle fingers;
- Hold the floss between your thumbs and index fingers, then gently push it between two teeth;
- Move the wire into a “C” shape on the side of a tooth;
- Gently rub the wire up and down, continuing to press it against the tooth;
- Repeat this process on all teeth, including the bottom ones.
After flossing, you should spend two minutes brushing your teeth:
- Put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush. For children, the amount of toothpaste should be the size of a grain of rice;
- Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums;
- Move the brush back and forth in short, smooth strokes the same width as each of your teeth;
- Brush all outer surfaces, inner surfaces and chewing surfaces, and don't forget your tongue;
- Towards the inside of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make small movements up and down.
With these steps, your dental health will certainly be in good condition. But unfortunately, plaque builds up quickly after being removed. Some experts recommend other at-home treatments to remove plaque buildup, including coconut oil treatment, among other tips, check out:
1. Coconut oil
To avoid tartar from your teeth, rinse a tablespoon of coconut oil for 20 to 30 minutes. Coconut oil is beneficial for oral health because it contains fatty acids such as lauric acid, a substance with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.
Another study published by the platform PubMed concluded that coconut oil is a great adjuvant in decreasing plaque formation and plaque-induced gingivitis - making it an ally in daily oral hygiene.
Learn more about coconut oil in the article: "Coconut oil: benefits, what it is for and how to use it".
2. Lemon or orange peels
Rub the inside (the white side) of the lemon or orange peel onto your teeth for at least two minutes. The substances contained in the husks help to remove tartar. But use it at most twice a week, rinse and brush your teeth well afterwards, to remove any traces of acid.
3. Apple vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a natural bleach that helps remove coffee and cigarette stains, as well as promotes well-being to the gums. You can brush your teeth with it or mix some vinegar in water to make a mouthwash. But be careful: vinegar is an acidic product, which can damage tooth enamel. If you are going to use vinegar to remove tartar from your teeth, rinse your mouth thoroughly and brush your teeth with toothpaste afterwards.
- 12 benefits of apple cider vinegar and how to use it
4. Banana peel
Banana peel contains natural acids that help to whiten teeth, in addition to containing several nutrients. The technique is the same as used with orange peels: rub the inside of the banana peel on your teeth for a few minutes. Then just brush your teeth one more time.
5. Strawberry and salt
Brush your teeth with a mixture of three large strawberries, well mashed with a (coffee) spoon of salt. Dry your teeth with a tissue and apply the mixture using the toothbrush. Leave on for five minutes and rinse. Brush then.
As it is rich in vitamin C, strawberries help to avoid tartar, which also affect the color of teeth. In addition, the fruit contains malic acid, an enzyme that whitens teeth.
8. Turmeric
Turmeric, or Brazilian saffron, is a root with antibiotic properties and also helps prevent tooth tartar. Despite being yellow, just brush your teeth with a little turmeric powder and in time you can see them getting whiter. You can also mix turmeric with a little coconut oil for a nicer texture.
Learn more about turmeric in the article: "Learn about the benefits of turmeric, turmeric".
How to prevent the formation of tartar on teeth
Plaque buildup can have serious health consequences. Tartar bacteria create acid by feeding on sugars from ingested foods, which can damage teeth and cause cavities. Bacteria also produce toxins that can damage the gums, leading to periodontal disease (gum disease).
- Gingivitis: what it is and how to treat it
Unlike plaque, tartar cannot be removed by brushing or flossing. To get rid of it, you will need to visit his or her dentist, who will use special instruments to remove it in a technique called “flaking and polishing”.
The best way to prevent plaque formation is to maintain good dental habits. Brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day (ideally once in the morning and once before going to bed) and floss at least once a day.
Regular dental appointments are also essential to prevent tartar formation. Your dentist will shave and clean your teeth so they are free of plaque and tartar. They can also be given a fluoride treatment, which can prevent and slow the growth of plaque bacteria and tartar buildup on teeth. This helps to prevent tooth decay.
One study suggests that chewing gum sweetened with sorbitol or xylitol between meals may prevent plaque buildup. But make sure you don't buy sugary gum, which encourages the growth of bacteria on your teeth. Also, keeping a healthy diet low in added sugars also helps prevent tartar. Make sure you eat fresh vegetables and whole grains.
