You can't truly "dissolve" hardened tartar (calculus) at home; only a dentist can remove it with professional scaling tools, but you can prevent plaque from hardening into tartar with good daily hygiene, specialized toothpastes (with pyrophosphates or baking soda), and regular flossing, while some natural remedies like oil pulling or vinegar rinses (use sparingly due to acid) can help with plaque control before it calcifies.
Naturally antibacterial, white vinegar will help to demineralise or soften tartar if used once or twice daily as a mouthwash. Swish a mixture of 2 cups of warm water, 2 teaspoons of white vinegar and a pinch of salt around your mouth for a few minutes. Do this after or between brushing your teeth.
Brushing teeth daily is the best way to clean away tooth plaque. If plaque is not removed it can lead to more painful and serious dental conditions: Tooth decay – when plaque mixes with the sugar in the mouth (from food and drink), it creates acid. The acid causes decay or 'holes' in the teeth.
No, you cannot effectively or safely remove hardened tartar (calculus) at home; it requires a dental professional to use special tools to scrape it off, as attempts at home with sharp tools or abrasive remedies risk damaging enamel and gums. While you can prevent tartar by removing soft plaque with regular brushing and flossing, once plaque mineralizes into hard tartar, only a dentist or hygienist can remove it with professional scalers, making regular check-ups essential.
Brushing with baking soda can safely and effectively remove plaque. While still abrasive, baking soda toothpaste is not as hard as the enamel that makes up teeth and can remove plaque without damaging the enamel.
Baking Soda for Natural Plaque Removal
It also neutralizes acids in your mouth, creating an environment less conducive to bacterial growth. You can sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on your toothbrush along with your regular toothpaste, or mix it with water to create a paste.
You can fight tartar at home with things like baking soda or oil pulling. It's a start, especially if you're stretched thin with work or family. But those tricks only go so far. For the tough stuff—and to keep your teeth and gums healthy—you need a pro.
Once that buildup is removed, in comparison, your teeth feel loose. But that doesn't make them likely to fall out! In spite of that increased feeling of looseness, removing the plaque and tartar buildup helps your gums and roots to reattach to your teeth, creating better oral health for you!
Periodontitis and bone loss are serious conditions that can result from neglected gingivitis and can lead to tooth loss. Once bone loss starts, it's irreversible and can only be managed, not cured. Regular and timely dental visits are crucial in stopping the inflammation early and preserving your teeth and bone health.
No, hydrogen peroxide doesn't dissolve tartar, but it can help remove the plaque that hardens into tartar.
The 2-2-2 rule in dentistry is a simple guideline for good oral hygiene: brush twice a day, for two minutes each time, and visit your dentist twice a year, helping to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems by establishing consistent habits for plaque removal and professional monitoring.
The "7+4 Rule" in pediatric dentistry is a guideline for baby tooth eruption: a child typically gets their first tooth around 7 months old, and then gains about 4 new teeth every 4 months thereafter, reaching all 20 primary teeth by around 27 months (just over 2 years), helping parents track normal development and know when to see a dentist. Another "Rule of 7" emphasizes a child should see an orthodontist by age 7 for an early evaluation of permanent teeth and jaw development.
The "3-3-3 dental rule" usually refers to two different things: a hygiene habit (brush 3x a day, 3 mins each, change brush every 3 months) or a temporary pain relief method for toothaches (3 ibuprofen tablets, 3 times a day, for 3 days). The hygiene rule promotes better cleaning, while the pain rule manages inflammation until a dentist can be seen, but the medication rule requires caution and should be discussed with a doctor.
Listerine® Total Care Tartar Protect Mouthwash is specially formulated to reduce the build-up of tartar, keeping teeth stainless and naturally white. It prevents and reduces plaque, fights germs between teeth, and freshens breath for up to 24hr.
Tartar forms as dental plaque calcifies. When plaque is not removed through daily home care, the bacteria begin to harden into mineral build-up (just like clay hardens into rock in the environment) across the surface of teeth.
Water flossing can be an effective tool for maintaining good oral hygiene and preventing the buildup of tartar. However, a water flosser may not remove existing tartar once it has formed. Using a water flosser can aid in tartar prevention, but it's not a substitute for professional dental cleanings.
Like plaque, tartar can contribute to developing gingivitis and periodontal disease. But unlike plaque, simple brushing and flossing won't do much to remove tartar. Tartar fuses to the enamel of your teeth, making it a permanent dental issue that only a professional can remove.
Crushed Bones and Shells: Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans used abrasive materials like crushed bones, oyster shells, and charcoal to create tooth powders. These powders were applied using a finger or cloth to scrub teeth.
As soon as baby teeth appear, it is important to take care of the oral hygiene of the little ones. Tartar can build up as early as two years of age. It is a mistake to consider baby teeth as harmless, since they have an effect on permanent teeth.
Ultrasonic Instruments: When the dental professional uses ultrasonic instruments to remove tartar, the metal vibrating tip from the ultrasonic instrument loosens the tartar and helps chip it off the surface of the teeth. Then, a water spray is used to wash the tartar away.
Once gum tissue recedes, it does not regenerate naturally. This means gums don't grow back on their own like skin or other soft tissues. However, periodontal cleaning helps stop the damage in its tracks.
If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Once gum disease progresses, the bacteria in plaque and tartar start growing below the gums. This causes the immune system to fight the infection, leading to break down of the bone and connective tissues.
One study, in 2015, found oil pulling caused lipoid pneumonia—the accumulation of oil in the lungs—in two patients. Admittedly, such cases are rare. Some dentists also worry that oil pulling may lead to accidental ingestion of harmful bacteria pulled from the mouth.
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.
Plaque is a slimy film that appears on and around the teeth each day. It's a thin, soft substance that is usually transparent, white or pale yellow. Comparatively, tartar is hard and crusty and can make the teeth appear discoloured.