Can I Remove Dental Tartar at Home?

Can I remove tooth tartar at home? 

If you’ve ever skipped brushing your teeth, you’ve probably noticed that your teeth feel a bit fuzzy. This layer of fuzz is actually plaque – bacteria that forms on teeth after we eat and drink. If you don't brush properly this can turn into tartar (also known as dental calculus), a substance that’s very difficult to remove.  

What is tartar and why is it so bad? 

You can think of tartar as plaque’s older, more difficult to deal with cousin. When we forget to brush our teeth or skip flossing for a prolonged period, plaque hardens and becomes tartar. 

The reason tartar is bad for your teeth is that it’s made up of dead bacteria and mineralised saliva. These contain acids that can attack our tooth enamel causing cavities. Now that it’s hardened against our teeth it can’t be brushed off with a toothbrush.  

How do I know if I have tartar? 

Tartar tends to build up in the hard-to-reach places in our mouths. Even if you’re brushing and flossing every day you could still have plaque in some areas. It’s often found: 

• Along the gumline 
• Behind the teeth 
• Below a dental retainer 
• Between teeth 

Tartar is usually yellow, white or brown and is very, very hard. Despite its colour, you might not even notice you have tartar until it’s built up between or behind your teeth.  

How does tartar affect the teeth and gums? 

Over time, tartar can cause gum disease and cavities. Tartar also causes staining, bad breath, red swollen gums, bleeding gums, enamel erosion, gum recession and periodontal disease. Keep a look out for any of these symptoms while you are brushing and flossing. 

Can I remove tartar at home? 

No. Despite what some Reddit threads are telling you, you should never try to remove tartar yourself. Because tartar is very hard, it can’t be removed with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Plus, any ‘at home remedies’ are likely to do more damage to your soft tissue or your tooth enamel to make DIY a bad idea. Instead, if you’ve noticed a buildup of tartar in your mouth, book an appointment with a dental hygienist. 

What is a dental hygienist?  

A dental hygienist or oral health therapist is a licensed dental professional focused on treating and preventing oral diseases. Their role is to examine your teeth and gums looking out for the symptoms and causes of gum disease.  

What happens at a hygienist appointment?  

At a hygiene appointment your dental hygienist will look for signs of tartar. During a cleaning they will remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline and clean between and behind your teeth using scaling and polishing tools. These tools are specially designed to remove stubborn tartar without harming the underlying tooth enamel. 

Your dental hygienist will finish by giving your teeth a polish to make them shine. 

Can I prevent tartar from forming? 

Yes. There are a few ways you can prevent tartar from forming in the first place. A good oral hygiene routine is the best way to stop plaque from turning into tartar. Make sure you: 

Brush after breakfast and before you go to bed:  

Skipping brushing means any plaque on your teeth will stick around for the next 24 hours. Plaque contains bacteria that’s harmful to our teeth enamel and can cause cavities. Make sure you brush at least twice a day. 

Brush for two minutes with your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle:  

It’s not just how often you brush that matters. Your brushing technique can prevent tartar from forming. Hold your toothbrush at an angle as you brush and brush along the gums. This will clean any plaque and food debris from your gumline.  

Use an electric toothbrush: 

The best way to thoroughly clean your pearly whites is to use an electric toothbrush. The oscillating head does a great job of cleaning your teeth, mouth and gums. Research also shows that they remove more plaque than a manual brush which means a reduction in your tooth decay risk.  

Floss, floss, floss: 

It can’t hard to establish a flossing routine, but daily flossing will greatly reduce the amount of plaque in your mouth. Even brushing with an electric toothbrush won’t remove plaque and food particles wedged between your teeth. It can help to keep your floss somewhere handy – like next to a mirror or even in the shower to help remind you to floss. 

Regular professional cleanings: 

Even regular brushing and flossing it’s not always possible to get into all the nooks and crannies in the mouth. Annual professional cleanings are the best way to prevent tartar buildup. 

Time to book a hygiene appointment?  

If you’ve noticed a buildup of tartar in your mouth, you might have symptoms of early-stage gum disease. This can include bleeding when you brush and floss, puffy gums or bad breath. You can remove tartar by booking an appointment for a professional cleaning. At Gentle Dental, our hygienists can get rid of any tartar buildup and give you tips for brushing and flossing that will help.