Evexia Science Blog – Justin Bosley BSc Nutritional Science, BSc Chemistry – October 04, 2024

How to Clean Tartar Off Teeth (Without Damaging Your Teeth or Gums)

Tartar on teeth, also known as hardened plaque or dental calculus, is a common dental issue that many people struggle with. If you’ve noticed hard plaque on teeth that doesn’t come off with regular brushing or scraping with a tooth cleaner, you’re likely dealing with tartar. In this guide, we’ll explore how to effectively remove tartar and prevent it from forming in the first place. We’ll cover methods to address plaque on teeth, the precursor to tartar buildup, and provide actionable steps for healthier teeth. Understanding Plaque and Tartar on Teeth To tackle the issue of tartar, it's crucial to understand what it is and how it forms. Plaque on teeth is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. When plaque isn’t properly removed through brushing and flossing, it can harden into tartar. Unlike plaque, which can be removed at home, tartar on teeth is much more stubborn and requires special treatment. Tartar is essentially hardened plaque that forms both above and below the gumline. When plaque mineralizes and turns into hard plaque buildup, it becomes difficult to remove without professional help. This hard deposit is often referred to as dental calculus tarter. The Risks of Tartar Buildup Tartar buildup can lead to a range of dental health issues, including: Gum Disease: Tartar that forms below the gumline can irritate and damage the gums, potentially leading to gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Tooth Decay: When plaque and tartar are left untreated, they can contribute to cavities. Bad Breath: Tartar is a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause persistent bad breath. Home Remedies to Remove Tartar from Teeth Most dental professionals will recommend seeing them to get the tarter removed but there are some home remedies you can use to help manage plaque on teeth and prevent tartar buildup. Brush with Baking Soda Baking soda is mildly abrasive and can help scrub away hard plaque on teeth. Baking soda can help neutralize acids in the mouth, reducing plaque buildup and minimizing tartar formation. Baking soda also has the added benefit of neutralizing acids in your mouth that eat your enamel and soften your teeth. Many studies have shown that baking soda is an effective abrasive that removes plaque and reduces the risk of gingivitis.[1-4] Baking soda is very safe on your teeth and does not damage the enamel at all. For more information about that you can see my blog post “Will Baking Soda Harm My Teeth?”   Do Not Try White Vinegar Rinse Some sources recommend a white vinegar rinse. While white vinegar has antibacterial properties that can help reduce plaque and tartar, it is an acid that can dissolve your teeth and make them softer and more susceptible to cavities. As a result of using a vinegar rinse, you may experience tooth sensitivity or pain because of your softened enamel. Baking soda can help to neutralize vinegar in your diet and prevent any enamel erosion that you may experience from consuming vinegar, lemons, citrus, or other acidic foods.   Use an Electric Toothbrush An electric toothbrush can help you remove plaque more effectively compared to a manual toothbrush. The oscillating and rotating action helps to dislodge plaque before it can harden into tartar. Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste is crucial for reducing tartar on teeth. Use The Honest Tooth The Honest Tooth is the only tooth cleaning product on the market that can remove hard plaque on teeth because it is designed with a special ingredient that no other product has called monolaurin. Monolaurin is enzymatically derived from coconut oil and is a common byproduct of oil pulling that cleans your teeth and helps remove bacteria from your mouth. The difference with the Honest Tooth is that you don’t have to rinse your mouth for 20 minutes like oil pulling, and you don’t have to worry about spitting it out in the garbage, the clogged sink, getting a sore mouth, or the stink! The Honest Tooth is easy to use. Just brush your teeth with it like you normally would, and as doctors recommend for the standard 2 minutes per day. The Honest Tooth is more effective at removing plaque on the teeth than normal toothpaste and it can prevent tarter on the teeth from developing. The Honest Tooth contains baking soda, xylitol, monolaurin, and essential oils of peppermint, wintergreen, cinnamon, and clove. Get your jar here today! Conclusion Dealing with tartar on teeth can be challenging, but with the right preventive steps and treatments, you can keep your smile healthy and clean. Removing plaque on teeth daily with effective brushing and flossing, using The Honest Tooth combined with regular dental visits, will keep hard plaque on teeth at bay. Remember, the doctor is not the only one that can remove plaque on your teeth, now that we have The Honest Tooth! With the tips mentioned above, you’ll be on your way to a healthier, more radiant smile. Prioritize oral hygiene today to keep calculus on teeth from affecting your dental health!   References [1] C. Valkenburg, Y. Kashmour, A. Dao, G. A. Fridus Van der Weijden, and D. E. Slot, “The efficacy of baking soda dentifrice in controlling plaque and gingivitis: A systematic review,” Int. J. Dent. Hyg., vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 99–116, May 2019, doi: 10.1111/idh.12390. [2] A. T. Hara and C. P. Turssi, “Baking soda as an abrasive in toothpastes: Mechanism of action and safety and effectiveness considerations,” J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 1939, vol. 148, no. 11S, pp. S27–S33, Nov. 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2017.09.007. [3] J. A. Cury, L. N. Hashizume, A. A. Del Bel Cury, and C. P. Tabchoury, “Effect of dentifrice containing fluoride and/or baking soda on enamel demineralization/remineralization: an in situ study,” Caries Res., vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 106–110, Apr. 2001, doi: 10.1159/000047440. [4] “Baking soda dentifrices and oral health - The Journal of the American Dental Association.” Accessed: Nov. 12, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30822-X/fulltext