You must have had the feeling of grittiness or grime on the surface of your teeth, particularly along the gum line. Perhaps you are fighting plaque or tartar. For most people, dealing with these oral health issues becomes a perpetual war. So, worry no more; knowing what they are and some effective ways of removing tartar and plaque will make a difference in oral health.
In this post, we will take you through the essentials that what tartar and plaque are, why they matter, and the top seven tips to help you manage and prevent their buildup from the top leading dentist in Nagpur. Let’s get started and learn how to keep that bright, healthy smile!
What Are Plaque and Tartar?
This sticky, colorless film of bacteria forms constantly on your teeth because of regular activities like eating and drinking, introducing sugars and acids that feed the bacteria to produce plaques. Unchecked plaque will then lead to issues like bad breath, gum inflammation, and tooth decay.
Plaque is soft and easily removable through brushing and flossing.
Tartar is what plaque becomes if it is allowed to sit on your teeth too long. When plaque is exposed to minerals in your saliva, it dries up and hardens to become tartar, a rough, yellowish, or brown deposit that clings to the teeth around the gum line.
When it has formed, tartar is very hard to get rid of by yourself without a dentist and can quickly lead to such conditions as gingivitis or even periodontal disease.
Fortunately, using some easily implemented measures, along with daily discipline, you may control plaque and tartar, maintaining a healthy look for your teeth and averting various issues with the oral cavity. Here are the top seven ways how you can remove tartar and plaque from the teeth.
7 Tips to Remove Tartar and Plaque for a Healthier Smile
1. Brush Twice a Day Using Proper Techniques
Brushing is the easiest way of eliminating tartar and plaque, but brushing twice a day isn’t enough; one must use the right technique so that he or she can clean every part of the teeth.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to get into all parts of the mouth without causing damage to your gums.
Brush your teeth at an angle of 45 degrees relative to your gums; hence, use circular movements against the direction instead of strokes. This is important so that you are cleaning against the gum line, the area where tartar loves to form.
Brush your teeth for at least two minutes for proper cleaning.
You will brush too fast when you are using the toothbrush, and for a long time, the better approach is to have an electric toothbrush because it does better when it comes to cleaning.
2. Floss Daily to Keep Cleaning Between Your Teeth
Tartar and plaque abhor the daily flossing, for starters. This has nothing to do with these spots between your teeth-the very areas that are normally too tight for a clean pass from a toothbrush. Most people do not bother to floss and overlook the spaces between teeth; however, plaque loves crevices, the space between your teeth; within time, these tiny pieces of plaque solidify to become tartar.
Floss between each side of each of your teeth, wrapping around the floss to hit against the gum line.
Floss at least once a day and preferably before bedtime to remove the overnight plaque buildup.
For people who have difficulties using conventional floss, using a water flosser or floss picks will easily provide access to areas with easier cleaning.
3. Antibacterial Mouthwash
One excellent addition to oral hygiene is an antibacterial mouthwash as it also assists in the removal of all those leftover plaque-causing bacteria. Rinsing using a mouthwash after cleaning with a toothbrush and dental floss may possibly be able to help stop plaque from growing and sticking as tartar.
Use a mouthwash that tries to prevent tartar buildup. Fluoride toothpastes strengthen enamel so that your teeth fight off cavities while fighting off the plague
4. Tartar Controlling Toothpaste
Not all toothpastes are alike, and if you are looking to reduce tartar and plaque, you may want to consider using tartar-control toothpaste. Tartar-control toothpaste usually contains ingredients such as pyrophosphates, fluoride, or zinc citrate, which will help prevent plaque from turning into tartar.
Other toothpaste formulas include baking soda that can neutralize acids in the mouth and gently scrub away plaque. When using tartar-control toothpaste, don’t forget to brush for the recommended two minutes so that the active ingredients in the toothpaste have a chance to work effectively.
5. Avoid Sugary and Starchy Foods
Foods rich in sugars and starches feed the plaque-causing bacteria. The sugars are consumed by these bacteria, which produce acids and damage the enamel of the teeth. One of the most lifestyle-oriented ways of ridding your mouth of tartar and plaque is a healthy diet.
Limit sweet snacks and drinks, especially candy, soda, and baked goods, all famous for causing plaque buildup.
Choose healthy snacks, such as fruits and vegetables, which are less likely to feed bacteria and can even clean your teeth as you chew.
If you have to eat something sugary or starchy, try to brush or rinse your mouth after that to prevent the accumulation of plaque.
6. Drink Plenty of Water and Rinse
It’s very simple: hydration and rinsing with water a few times a day may help greatly in reducing plaque. Drinking water helps clear food particles and bacteria in the mouth before they ever have the chance to bind onto the teeth and become plaque.
Rinsing with water after meals can help at those times when brushing is not conveniently done. It may balance the acids within your mouth while it removes the sugars, which provide food for bacteria.
7. See Your Dentist Regularly to Get Cleanings
While home care is essential, one of the best ways to remove tartar and plaque is frequent visits to your dentist. An excellent oral care routine can cause some tartar to form where it is difficult to brush or floss, so professionals must clean it.
Request regular check-ups and cleaning sessions with your dentist once every six months.
A visit to the dentist or hygienist will allow your specialist to use specific equipment that can remove tartar, then polish your teeth and limit the chances of a re-accumulation of plaque.
Professional cleaning allows not only for fresher, smoother teeth but also gives the dentist the chance to identify issues when they are still easy to solve, preventing much larger problems from developing in your dental care.
Maintenance Plan to Success
Ways of preventing tartar and plaque accumulation include oral care, food choices, and dental visitation. Consistency pays! It may be too much at first, but it will be effortless to get rid of plaque and tartar if these habits have been built into the everyday routine.
All it takes is the following seven tips to get you off on the right track towards a cleaner, whiter smile, and avoid all the potential complications that accompany an untreated case of tartar. So begin today by making these minor adjustments for life to protect your teeth. Read More!
