Fortunately, as long as you catch your dental plaque before it’s had a chance to transform into tartar, you can remove it at home with proper dental care. Here are a few easy ways to do so:
Brush Your Teeth
Regular brushing is your best line of defense against tooth plaque. Soft-bristled toothbrushes can help you remove plaque from the surfaces of your teeth. Note that plaque buildup is one reason why it’s so important to brush both your teeth and your gum line: removing bacteria hidden in the pocket between your teeth and gums is crucial.
Floss Your Teeth
Brushing isn’t the only way to remove plaque from your teeth! In addition to other benefits, proper flossing can help you remove any bacterial buildup between the teeth. Make sure you’re maneuvering the floss to clean the tooth surfaces on both sides of the gap.
Washing Out Your Mouth
Mouthwash can help to remove plaque from the surfaces of your teeth. Though there are plenty of different products available on the market, you can also do a saltwater rinse in a pinch, as they’re just as effective at improving your oral health.
Consider Your Diet
While there’s nothing you can do to prevent plaque buildup completely, it’s worth noting that some foods and drinks are more likely to cause an increase in plaque bacteria than others. Avoiding sticky candies and sweets, carbonated soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages that dry out the mouth can help.
Even better, the American Dental Association notes that certain kinds of foods can help with your oral health. Fiber-rich fruits and veggies, low-sugar milk and dairy products, and certain types of tea can be great options.
How Can a Dentist Near Me Help With Dental Plaque?
It’s not uncommon for dental patients to miss certain areas of plaque buildup in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Over time, these buildups can transform into tartar and begin to damage the enamel of the teeth.
If you want to be sure that you’re getting rid of both plaque and tartar buildup, the best way to do it is by visiting your local dentist! Plaque and tartar removal is one of the reasons we encourage patients to visit us once every six months.
If you’ve fallen behind on these regular cleanings, you may start to notice more severe tartar accumulating over time as your tooth plaque builds up on your teeth. In some cases, of course, the tartar buildup may occur beneath the gum line. Though you might worry about the consequences of this buildup, please know that our dental team can also offer a deep cleaning to remove stubborn tartar deposits.
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