You can't truly "soften" existing, hardened tartar (calculus) at home; only a dental professional with special tools can remove it, but you can soften plaque (which becomes tartar) and prevent buildup with daily brushing, flossing, antibacterial mouthwash, and using tartar-control toothpaste with ingredients like pyrophosphates or zinc citrate, plus home remedies like baking soda or vinegar rinses (used carefully).
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.
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.
How is tooth plaque normally treated? Brush teeth twice a day. Begin brushing the teeth as soon as a child's first baby tooth appears. Supervise a child when brushing their teeth until they are around six years old.
Hydrogen peroxide is also frequently mentioned as a tartar removal cure, and although this is a very strong antibacterial chemical, it will not remove tartar, regardless of how much you brush or rinse.
Mix a teaspoon of aloe vera gel with four teaspoons of glycerine (an ingredient found in many toothpastes), five tablespoons of baking soda, a drop of lemon essential oil, and a cup of water. Once mixed, use the mixture to clean your teeth to gradually remove plaque and tartar.
It is not recommended that you leave hydrogen peroxide on your teeth overnight as it could cause erosion to your tooth enamel or irritation to your gums.
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.
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.
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.
What happens if I don't remove tartar? If you leave tartar on your teeth, it can: Erode your enamel. Cause cavities.
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.
A water flosser is a device that aims a stream of water at the teeth. It's also called an oral irrigator or a dental water jet. A water flosser can help remove pieces of food from between teeth. It also can take plaque off teeth.
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.
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.
What toothpaste removes hardened tartar? TartarEnd® is designed specifically to target and dissolve hardened tartar, unlike most commercial brands that only prevent buildup on the surface.
A deep cleaning does not cause your teeth to become loose or fall out, but gum disease can. At the advanced stage of gum disease, the gums begin to recede (pull away from the teeth), leaving them without adequate support.
The bad guys
Tartar can only be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist. Tartar is a major contributor to gum disease. It can also cause bad breath, and if not removed, tartar can lead to tooth decay and tooth loss.
Avoid these common mistakes when attempting tartar removal: Don't use sharp objects like needles or metal picks not designed for dental use. Don't brush aggressively, as it can wear down enamel and irritate gums.
No, hydrogen peroxide doesn't dissolve tartar, but it can help remove the plaque that hardens into tartar.
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.
Hydrogen peroxide
This compound is an effective way to combat gum disease. However, it should only be used once per day. There are some precautions that you should take before using hydrogen peroxide on your teeth. You should brush your teeth thoroughly after using the product.
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are natural, non-toxic products that clean many surfaces in your home. The two products can be safely combined to form a paste or used separately to whiten laundry, remove odors, disinfect surfaces, and much more.
Yes, most yellow teeth can become white again, with the best method depending on the cause, ranging from surface stains (coffee, tea, smoking) treatable with whitening strips or toothpaste to deeper intrinsic stains (aging, medication) that often require professional in-office whitening, custom trays, veneers, or bonding for significant results. Professional treatments offer faster, more dramatic changes, while consistent oral care and reducing staining agents help maintain whiteness.