Are you starting to notice tartar build up on your teeth? Tartar (also referred to as calculus) can buildup quite quickly if you do not brush your teeth properly. This is generally the case with the insides of your teeth, which tend to be overlooked when brushing compared to the exterior of your teeth.
Tartar buildup can damage our mouth, teeth, and gums, ultimately wreaking havoc on our oral health. Read on for some of the most effective ways to remove tartar from your teeth fast, safely and from the comfort of your home.
Tip: Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the oldest and most effective home remedies for removing plaque and tartar. Using its natural antimicrobial properties, baking soda decreases the number of bad bacteria in your mouth, while maintaining a more alkaline oral pH. This combination creates an overall healthier mouth.
To use baking soda to remove tartar from your teeth, follow these steps:
- Mix ½ teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of baking soda
- Use a clean toothbrush and dip it into the mixture, proceeding to scrub the teeth for about 5 minutes
- Rinse your mouth for one minute with a mixture of 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide and ½ cup of warm water
- Use a dental pick or your water flosser to gently rub the tartar off of the teeth
- Rinse your mouth using your favorite antiseptic mouthwash
Try not to use baking soda on your teeth more than 5 days in a row because it can be abrasive. However, it is totally safe to use on your teeth in moderation.
Tip: Use Guava
Guava is more than just a delicious fruit. In fact, both the fruit and the leaves can be helpful in removing plaque and tartar from your teeth. They are also known to help reduce gum inflammation.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, guava leaf extracts help eliminate tartar from teeth and gums. It also contains anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that reduce inflammation in the gums. Research has also shown that its great for treating periodontal disease.
To harness the power of the guava to remove tartar from your teeth, simply take a few guava leaves and wash them. Then, chew on these leaves thoroughly and spit them out after a minute or so of chewing. If the thought of chewing on leaves is too much, you can use unripe guava as well. Sprinkle a dash salt on the unripened guava and chew it slowly. Repeat this process 1 to 2 times over the course of a few weeks for optimal results.
Tip: Use White Vinegar
Recent research has shown that white vinegar has antibacterial properties. These properties are exactly what make it a great way to remove tartar quickly from your teeth. The acetic acid in white vinegar supports the demineralization of tooth enamel. In order to use white vinegar to remove tartar, take half a cup of water and add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar and half a teaspoon of salt to it. Stir it together and use it twice a day to rinse your mouth!
Tip: Use Orange Peel
As a child, did you ever put an orange peel in your mouth and offer up a big, clownlike smile? Well, it turns out that you were actually improving your oral health! Placing an orange peel over the surface of your teeth is a great way to quickly remove tartar from your teeth.
Oranges contain citric acid, which softens tartar. The nubby outer skin of the orange serves as a gentle abrasive to help scrape the softened tartar off of your teeth. For an added impact, put a small amount of the orange’s juice on your teeth before using the skin to break down plaque. Let the juice soak in for around 5 minutes, then use the orange peel to wipe away plaque and tartar. Rinse your mouth when you’re done!
Tip: Use Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has been used for centuries for its antimicrobial properties that help fight off bacteria. In fact, aloe vera can help kill off bacteria that causes tartar and bad breath.
To use aloe vera to remove tartar from your teeth, take a whole aloe vera leaf and remove the pulp. Next, rub the pulp on your teeth and gums and let sit for about 10 minutes. Finally, rinse your mouth and gums with cold water. Repeat this process twice a day to achieve maximum results.
Tip: Use Vitamin C Rich Foods
Vitamin C is known for its many benefits for your overall health. From beating the common cold, to enhancing your eyesight, this vitamin is incredibly powerful. By increasing your vitamin C intake, you can also improve your oral health. It helps strengthen blood vessels and reduce inflammation, leading to healthier gums. Vitamin C also increases collagen production, which helps keep gums strong.
You can use Vitamin C rich foods to remove tartar from your teeth quickly. Try making a pulp of tomatoes and strawberries, and applying the mixture to your teeth and letting it stand for 5 minutes. Next, rinse off the pulp and rinse your mouth. Repeat this process 2 times per week to see a noticeable difference in tartar reduction!
Tip: Use Spicy Foods
Quickly removing tartar from your teeth can be as easy as eating your favorite spicy foods! Why? Because eating spicy foods increases the secretion of saliva by stimulating the salivary glands. The excess saliva helps clean both your teeth and gums, removing tartar in the process. So grab your friends and head to your favorite Indian restaurant!
Tip: Use Oil Pulling
Oil pulling has been used for thousands of years to improve oral health, as well as overall health.
University of Oxford scientists found that oil pulling is a cost effective way to improve your overall oral hygiene.
To oil pull, follow these steps:
- Try and oil pull first thing in the morning on an empty stomach
- Use 1 tbsp of coconut oil (and a few drops of essential oil such as peppermint if you want!)
- Swish the oil slowly and methodically in your mouth, trying to make sure it reaches every region
- Swish the oil for 10 to 15 minutes, without swallowing any
- Spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with water, then brush your teeth!
Tip: Eat Cheese
While cheese does not clean your teeth as you eat, it does prevent other foods from harming your teeth! Cheese is high in calcium, which helps promote strong teeth. Cheese also contains casein, which helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities.
Try adding some cheese to your meals or snacks each day in order to add more calcium and casein to your diet. Your teeth will thank you!
Tip: Try Flossing
According to the American Dental Association, flossing helps remove tartar and plaque from teeth and gums. Cleaning between the teeth is critical to oral hygiene health as brushing alone cannot reach all the crevices in the mouth.
Using string floss or a water flosser is a great way to quickly remove tartar from your teeth and gums, including the hard to reach areas of the mouth. Flossing should be a regular part of your daily oral hygiene routine!
Tip: Use An Electric Toothbrush
Using an electric toothbrush is a great way to quickly remove tartar from your teeth. Electric toothbrushes are clinically proven to remove up to 3x more plaque and tartar than manual brushing.
An independent research group conducted a study in 2014 on the benefits of electric toothbrushes. The research looked into 56 studies published between 1964 to 2011, where 5068 participants were randomized to receive either a powered toothbrush or a manual toothbrush. For participants who used an electric toothbrush, between months 1 and 3 there was a 11 percent reduction in plaque. After 3 months of use, participants saw a 21 percent reduction in plaque.
Tip: Use a Special Mouthwash
Many people do not realize the difference between plaque and tartar. Tartar is hard and crusty and porous. It is yellow or brown in color, and appears along the gumline in the mouth. Tartar forms from plaque that wasn’t removed, and eventually hardened from mineral deposits in saliva. If tartar is allowed to build up, it can cause cavities, tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum disease.
Using mouthwash that is specifically designed to remove tartar can help prevent tartar build up in your mouth.
Tip: Eat Figs
Removing tartar from your teeth can be as simple as eating figs! Why do figs work? Chewing this delicious fruit causes your salivary glands to go into action, boosting your secretion of saliva. This extra saliva secretion helps remove plaque and tartar.
To harness the power of figs to remove plaque and tartar, simply eat 2 to 3 figs, slowly. You can do this every single day, especially after having a meal.
Tip: Eat Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds are another great way to remove tartar from teeth fast. Sesame seeds act as a natural scrub for your teeth. Simply chew on them and then use your finger to scrub the seeds all over your teeth. Then spit the chewed seeds out and rinse with warm water.
For an added benefit, brush your teeth with a dry toothbrush while the sesame seeds are still in your mouth. Repeat this process 2 times each week and let the sesame seeds clean and polish your teeth for you!
Tip: Use Salt Water Rinses
Salt water mouth rinses are useful for a number of reasons, including a natural way to remove tartar from your teeth. It can help with sore throats and gum sores as well. To make a salt water mouth rinse, just add ½ teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Then, rinse your mouth with the solution 1 to 2 times a day to aid in tartar removal from your teeth.
Salt water rinses are also recommended by Dentists after major dental procedures.
Tip: Use A Tartar Removal Rinse
You know that it’s important to have a strong defense in line for your oral hygiene. A combination of brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a tartar removal rinse will leave your mouth as healthy as can be. A tartar removal rinse helps reach the impossible to reach places that brushing and flossing miss. It also helps prevent or treat gum disease and periodontitis!
Many mouthwash brands offer rinses that assist in tartar removal, so head to your local supermarket and scope out the selection. Find a flavor that entices you, and rinse with the tartar removal rinse each time you brush your teeth!
Tip: Use Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is another natural and effective way to quickly remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. After brushing your teeth, dip your toothbrush in lemon juice. Next, rub the juice on your teeth and gums and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Finally, rinse your mouth with water.
If you repeat this process every other day, the acidic property of the lemon juice will help dissolve and remove tartar. It’s also known to help whiten teeth!
Tip: Use Coke or Pepsi
While it may seem counterintuitive to use a Coke or Pepsi product to promote oral hygiene, you’ll just have to trust me on this one. Coca-Cola or other carbonated drinks can help remove tartar from your teeth, very quickly! Swish a couple of tablespoons of the soda in your mouth, with gusto, for about 2 to 3 minutes. Next, brush and floss your teeth as usual.
The chemicals in the soda helps break down hardened plaque and tartar.
Tip: Use Tartar Control Toothpaste
Tartar control toothpaste is an easy way to remove tartar from your teeth. Most toothpaste companies offer tartar control toothpaste, in a wide variety of flavor options. Head to your local supermarket and grab a tube of tartar control toothpaste. Brush your teeth with the tartar control toothpaste 2 times a day, for 2 minutes, and watch it work and remove tartar from your teeth!