3 Natural Ways to Remove Plaque from Your Teeth

Tartar is the common name for dental plaque. What we are focusing on is something known as a biofilm. Biofilms are a combination of calcium houses that accommodate bacteria. It is one of their survival mechanisms. Bacteria hide underneath this dome, and that way, they’re able to evade your immune system and antibiotics.

It is important to note that over 95% of bacteria in nature live in biofilms. Now, consider a tiny rock in a stream. If you hold that rock, you’ll notice it is slimy and slippery. That slimy and slippery substance is biofilm. So, there are biofilms everywhere. They are some survival mechanisms that have been going on for ages. So, you’ll have biofilms wherever you have fluid (water or saliva).

If there are too many biofilms, you’ll have bad breath and receding gums, and sometimes, you may need to go to the dentist for an extraction.

If you are continually getting a lot of biofilms on your teeth, I’ll guide you on managing it or even preventing it.

Now, here are some exciting things you should note.

Xylitol — or sugar alcohol in xylitol sweeteners or xylitol gum has anti-biofilm properties. As a result, they suppress dental adhesions (adhesions to your teeth). So, if you want to chew gum, ensure that it has xylitol.

Some natural things have anti-biofilm properties. These include natural herbs like:

· Rosemary

· Clove

· Thyme

· Oregano oil

· Garlic

· Curcumin which is in turmeric

· Cinnamon

· N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

These natural things can help reduce these biofilms.

Now, let’s look at some ingredients that can remedy dental plaques.

Top remedies for dental plaques

1. Baking soda

Baking soda is a highly safe and effective way to wash out plaques. Baking soda removes plaques without damaging the enamel.

Research has shown that baking soda toothpaste may reduce plaque more effectively than conventional toothpaste.

Baking soda is also effective against demineralization. Demineralization is a chemical process that flushes calcium from your tooth enamel.

The carbohydrates in food have the potential to lower the mouth’s pH, and they do this drastically. This will create an acidic environment that causes demineralization.

The pH scale determines a substance's acidity; the lower the pH, the more acidic the substance.

The lower limit for enamel pH ranges from 5.1 to 5.5. if the enamel pH drops below this range, demineralization starts.

So, how does baking soda reduce demineralization? First, it has a high pH, which helps to balance the pH level inside your mouth. This prevents loss of enamel.

Your mouth accommodates a diverse ecosystem of bacteria. Some of these bacteria are beneficial, while others are harmful to oral health. For example, the bacteria responsible for tooth decay is Streptococcus mutans.

Baking soda also prevents tooth decay with its antimicrobial properties. In addition, studies have shown that baking soda can reduce the amount of S. mutans in the mouth quite significantly.

You can find baking soda in grocery stores. You can also purchase it online.

Photo Credit: By Steve Cukrov

2. Oil pulling using coconut oil

Oil pulling is another easy way to remove bacteria from your mouth and boost your oral health.

Coconut oil is recommended for oil pulling because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, coconut oil contains lauric acid. Lauric acid is a fatty acid with very potent antimicrobial properties.

A 2015 study showed that oil pulling with coconut oil helped decrease dental plaque by 50% in 60 adolescents with gingivitis.

Participants involved in the study experienced a significant decrease in gingivitis symptoms. The reduction of symptoms was attributed to the decline in dental plaque.

So, here’s how to do oil pulling:

· *Place a small amount of warm, unrefined, organic coconut oil in your mouth.

· Swish around your mouth for 5–10 minutes.

· Spit the oil into a paper towel or trash can.

Do not spit the oil into the sink because it may clog the pipes.

Start small with the coconut oil. 1/4 teaspoon, then work up to 1 tablespoon. When combined with your saliva, the small amount can be enough to build up a swishing amount to use. Too much too fast may cause you to gag. Also, make sure you do not swallow the coconut oil as it can upset your stomach.

You can purchase coconut oil in health food stores or online, but make sure you buy organic, virgin, and unrefined.

Other oils that can be used for oil pulling include:

· Almond oil

· Olive oil

· Sesame oil

Photo Credit: By galitskaya

3. Practice good oral hygiene

Good oral hygiene removes tartar and plaque. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice daily with toothpaste. Daily flossing is also recommended.

Flossing removes plaque and pieces of food from your teeth and other areas of your mouth that are hard to reach. After flossing, you then brush the plaque from the surface of the teeth.

Here are some steps to brush your teeth effectively:

· Start in the back of the mouth with the top molars

· Brush with short, circular strokes

· Brush the back and front surfaces of the teeth

· Repeat steps 1–3 on the bottom teeth.

Most people can achieve great results with manual toothbrushes. But a 2014 study found that electric toothbrushes with oscillating heads are better at reducing gingivitis and removing plaques.

After brushing and flossing your teeth, rinse your mouth with mouthwash. Many types of mouthwash contain fluoride, which provides extra protection against plaque.

People who have gingivitis may require a more potent type of mouthwash. Your dentist can prescribe a suitable antiseptic mouthwash for you.

Photo by Nati Melnychuk on Unsplash

How to prevent the buildup of tartar and plaques

There’s no better way to prevent the buildup of tartar and plaque than by brushing twice a day with toothpaste and flossing once daily.

Regular dental check-ups can also help treat and prevent oral health problems.

Your dentist will examine every part of your mouth and look for gum disease and tooth decay signs. They will also remove every tartar or plaque on the surface of your teeth and in places hard to reach.

If they notice any sign of gum inflammation (gingivitis) or cavities, they will guide you to reduce the symptoms and prevent further damage. For example, they may prescribe a mouthwash or create a more effective oral hygiene routine for you.

Some dietary changes can help prevent the buildup of tartar and plaque. For example, reducing the intake of acidic foods, starch, and sugar can minimize the risk of tooth decay.

To minimize your risk of tartar and plaque, you must avoid the following:

· Candy, cake, and cookies

· Sports drinks and soda

· Sugary foods and starchy foods that can stick to your teeth

· Citrus juices