How to Remove Dental Plaque at Home

How to Remove Dental Plaque at Home

Plaque is the buildup of bacteria on your teeth. It's invisible to the naked eye, but it's harmful to your teeth because it interacts with certain foods, releasing an acid that causes tooth decay. Plaque buildup can also turn into tartar, which is much more difficult to remove. Removing plaque is very easy, as it requires little more than a thorough cleaning!

Brush to remove plaque


 Plaque is virtually invisible, so it can be very difficult to tell if you have any on your teeth. To help with this, you can buy a plaque-disclosing lozenge available at a store or pharmacy. Once chewed, these lozenges will stain the plaque on your teeth a bright red, making it easier to examine your teeth and identify areas you need to target with your toothbrush .
  • Green food coloring applied to your teeth with a cotton swab will have the same effect, coloring your teeth green to make it easier to locate plaque.

 To brush your teeth effectively and ensure you get rid of as much plaque as possible, it's important to have the right tools. While there are many fancy toothbrushes on the market, the American Dental Association states that any "soft nylon-bristled toothbrush with a rounded, polished tip" will do the trick  [2] . Hard-bristled toothbrushes can be too abrasive and wear away your tooth enamel. In addition to the right toothbrush, you'll also need a good fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens teeth and protects them from decay and cavity formation.
  • You also need a quality fluoride toothpaste, because fluoride strengthens teeth and protects them from decay and cavities.
  • Electric toothbrushes aren't any more effective at cleaning teeth than regular manual toothbrushes. However, some people find they're more likely to brush their teeth more regularly and for longer periods when using an electric toothbrush; therefore, buying one might not be a bad idea.
  • Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, as it becomes less effective over time.


 When brushing your teeth, hold the brush at a 45-degree angle against the gum and brush in the direction away from the gum, using small, vertical, back-and-forth or circular motions. Try not to scrub too hard, as this can actually damage your tooth enamel 


 Pay attention to each tooth as you brush, making sure not to miss any. Remember to brush the outer part, the inner part, and the part used for chewing, and pay special attention to hard-to-reach teeth at the back of the mouth. Brushing your teeth properly should take about two minutes—try using a stopwatch to get a feel for this and hum a song to pass the time.

 Plaque can easily build up on the surface of your tongue due to food debris, so be sure to give it a little brushing as well. This will also help freshen your breath.
  • To brush your teeth, move the brush from the back to the front of your mouth, repeating the movement 4 or 5 times.

Have good oral hygiene


 Brushing your teeth is by far the most effective way to remove plaque, and proper, regular brushing will help limit plaque buildup over time. This is important because accumulated plaque can calcify into tartar, which is much harder to remove. You should brush your teeth once a day at a minimum, but dentists recommend brushing twice, once in the morning and once before bed  .
  • It is important to brush your teeth before going to bed because bacteria become more active due to the decreased saliva production.


Floss between your teeth. Flossing is an essential component of effective oral hygiene, but unfortunately, it's often overlooked. Flossing removes bacteria and food particles between your teeth, helping to prevent plaque buildup. This should be done once a day, at bedtime, before brushing your teeth. Floss between your teeth using a gentle, sawing motion and avoid "shoving" the floss, as this can irritate the delicate gum tissue.
  • Make sure you use clean floss between each tooth, otherwise you're just moving bacteria from one corner of your mouth to another.
  • If you find flossing difficult to use, try using a toothpick instead. This is a small wooden or plastic stick that can be inserted between the teeth, with the same results as dental floss .


Use a mouthwash that targets plaque. While mouthwashes designed to fight plaque alone aren't effective enough to remove it, when used as part of a regular cleaning routine that includes brushing and flossing, they can help reduce plaque, giving you minty-fresh breath at the same time.
  • A solution containing chlorhexidine digluconate is the best option for mouthwashes and fighting all types of bacteria, but it should not be used for more than 2 weeks in a row.

 The bacteria found in plaque thrive on sugary and starchy foods. In fact, every time you eat these types of foods, the bacteria release an acid that leads to tooth decay and cavity formation. To avoid this, try to cut down on these types of processed foods and pay more attention to brushing and flossing, if you decide to indulge

 Even if you maintain the most rigorous oral hygiene habits at home, you can still benefit from a visit to the dentist every six months or so. Only a dentist can perform a professional and meticulous cleaning that will remove even the hardest-to-reach plaque and stubborn tartar.

Try home remedies


 This is one of the oldest natural remedies for removing plaque at home. Simply add a little baking soda to a bowl, wet your toothbrush, and then dip the bristles into the baking soda to coat them. Brush your teeth normally. If you like, you can also mix a pinch of salt with the baking soda.
  • When using baking soda as toothpaste, do not squeeze the toothbrush too hard and do not use baking soda for more than 5 days in a row, as it is abrasive and can damage your tooth enamel with repeated use.

Eat apples and melon . Eating an apple or melon directly after a meal will help clean your teeth naturally and prevent plaque buildup. It will also help keep gums healthy and prevent them from bleeding.

 The vitamin C in citrus fruits like oranges can help prevent the growth of microorganisms on the surface of your teeth. Try rubbing orange peel on the surface of your teeth before going to bed

Chew sesame seeds . Chew a spoonful of sesame seeds, but do not swallow them. Then use a dry toothbrush to brush your teeth, using the sesame seeds as a kind of toothpaste. This will help remove plaque and polish your teeth at the same time 


 Tomatoes and strawberries, like oranges, are rich in vitamin C. Cut them and rub the juice on the surface of your teeth, leaving it on for about five minutes. Rinse your mouth with a solution of baking soda dissolved in water


 If you prefer to stay away from all the chemicals found in most store-bought toothpastes, it is possible to make your own natural anti-plaque version with simple ingredients. Mix 1/2 cup of coconut oil with 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda, 2 small packets of stevia powder, and 20 drops of an essential oil of your choice, such as peppermint or cinnamon. Store your homemade toothpaste in a small glass jar and use it like your regular toothpaste
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