How to Remove Tartar on Teeth

Last updated Thursday, July 18th, 2024

Do your stained teeth make you afraid of smiling for pictures? You’re probably struggling with tartar in your teeth.

You may have seen toothpaste commercials talking about it while showing a miraculous teeth whitening transformation within one minute. The truth is tartar isn’t easy to get rid of even if you brush your teeth twice a day.

It’s more than a threat to your attractive smile. It can threaten your life (unlike toothpaste commercials, that’s not an exaggeration).

Because tartar is a gateway to serious issues like gingivitis, heart disease, stroke, respiratory problems, and premature birth.

So what can you do to take care of it if your toothpaste isn’t good enough anymore? You’ll find out some of the best ways to get rid of tartar in this article.

But first, let’s understand why you’re struggling with this problem in the first place and what you can do to prevent it.

Understanding Plaque and Tartar

When you eat food, some leftover particles mix with the bacteria in your mouth and form a sticky colorless film called plaque. Most people don’t take it seriously because it’s barely visible.

Out of sight and out of mind doesn’t mean it’s out of your teeth.

The bacteria build-up quietly multiplies and hardens, turning into an ugly yellowish-brown coating called tartar.

So plaque is nothing but a seed for tartar.

And tartar is a seed for serious health problems like:

• Gingivitis
• Periodontitis
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Respiratory issues
• Premature birth

How to Know If You Have a Tartar Problem

Here are a few symptoms of tartar build-up that you should watch out for:

• Rough patches on your teeth
• Yellowish or brownish discolored spots at the base of your teeth
• Bad breath
• Experiencing pain while chewing your food
• Frequent bleeding in your gums
• Swollen and highly sensitive gums
• Receding gums

Your soft gum tissue is the first to take the hit when you get tartar stuck in your teeth.

However, this bacteria build-up is dangerous enough to even eat away the hardest part of your body – the enamel in your teeth.

Your plaque can turn into tartar within two weeks if you continue to take dental hygiene lightly and don’t get rid of this bacteria build-up.

Maintaining Excellent Oral Hygiene

Prevention is better than cure no matter what your health problem is. It costs peanuts compared to what you’ll spend trying to fix the problem later. A good oral hygiene routine can blast away all the plaque in your teeth. However, it may not be good enough to kick out the stubborn tartar.

Here’s what an excellent oral hygiene routine looks like:

Brushing regularly – Did you know brushing your teeth only once a day can increase your risk of dental problems by 33%? Most people have two to three meals a day, which means your mouth will be swarming with bacteria multiple times throughout the day. You need to beat them before they start colonizing your teeth.

Use a soft to medium-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth at least twice a day. You can even buy an electric toothbrush and toothpaste customized for tartar control.

Try to brush both rows of teeth thoroughly at a 45-degree angle. Ensure you brush them for at least two minutes. Your tongue can be a sponge for a ton of bacteria as well. You can brush it or use a tongue cleaner to remove the white coating that keeps accumulating on it.

Flossing – You end up missing cleaning 40% of tooth surfaces if you’re not flossing. Flossing helps you clean the hidden tooth surfaces your brush can’t reach. Wrap an 18-inch piece of floss around each tooth and gently pull it from side to side covering the whole tooth.

Avoid digging in deep into your gumline while flossing. Water flossers are good for removing larger food particles, but regular flossing is better for a deeper cleanse.

Mouthwash – Use an antibacterial mouthwash to wash away any remaining bacteria still hiding in your mouth. It’s better to use an alcohol-free option to avoid a dry mouth.

Limiting sugary and starchy foods – Sugar and starch is the food that the bacteria in your mouth feeds on to multiply. So if you’re limiting sugary and starchy foods, you’re basically starving them. They won’t be able to stick around in your mouth for too long.

Avoid smoking – Did you know smoking is one of the biggest causes of gum disease and mouth cancer? Cigarette tar and nicotine will start staining your teeth quickly and you’ll lose your beautiful smile within a few months of smoking regularly.

Getting dental check-ups – Even if you do get a full body check-up every year, it’s not enough to uncover dental issues. That’s why regular dental check-ups are essential for beating cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems before they hurt you.

Your dentist will start with a complete examination of your mouth to identify all the tartar-affected areas. Then, they’ll use a root planning and scaling procedure to get rid of all tartar above and below the gum line. Don’t worry! It’s just a simple non-surgical procedure.

Natural Remedies for Tartar Removal

Don’t be tempted by overpromising and underwhelming teeth whiteners and tartar cleaning products. Many of them are expensive and can actually damage your teeth much more. It’s best to stick to chemical products prescribed by your dentist.

However, there are a few harmless and effective natural remedies for tartar removal that are worth trying. We’ve compiled three tried, tested, and proven natural solutions that will only take 15-20 minutes to complete. The best part is there’s no downside. They’re definitely not going to damage your teeth even if they don’t get rid of all the tartar.

Here are three powerful natural remedies for tartar control that you must try:

Brushing teeth with baking soda

Apply some baking soda to your wet toothbrush and start scrubbing your teeth and gums thoroughly. Keep this paste in your mouth for 15 minutes before cleansing your mouth.

Why baking soda? Because it will neutralize the acidic environment created by the disease-causing bacteria in your mouth. So it’ll kill off a big part of the bacteria build-up in your teeth and help whiten them effortlessly.

White Vinegar and Salt Water Mouthwash

White vinegar is excellent for killing bacteria and stopping infection. Add two tablespoons of it along with some salt to a cup of warm water. Gargle this solution at least once a day. It’ll help quickly get rid of the tartar stuck in your teeth and gums.

Coconut oil pulling

Coconut oil pulling is one of the fastest natural ways to a spectacular white smile.

Take one tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around thoroughly for 15 minutes. Make sure you don’t swallow it at all.

The antibacterial properties of coconut oil will make the tartar loosen up and mix with the oil. Spit it out in a trash and rinse your mouth with water once you’re done.

Using Orange Peels

Orange peels are rich in Vitamin C and antimicrobial properties that can fight off tartar. Simply rub the inside of an orange peel against your tartar-affected teeth and gum areas.

You can even mash the peels with water and use it like a toothpaste with your brush.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I visit the dentist for a cleaning?

Is it safe to remove tartar at home?

Can tartar cause tooth loss?

How can I prevent tartar buildup?