How to Clean Plaque on Teeth

Plaque is formed from the accumulation of bacteria, dead cells and debris on the teeth. Although not visible to the naked eye, plaque is actually harmful to teeth because it interacts with certain foods, secreting acids that cause tooth decay. The accumulated plaque will become tartar which is much more difficult to clean, and it can also cause gums to recede and become inflamed. Plaque removal is very easy to do, as you only need a little more thorough cleaning!

Table of Contents

Brush off plaque

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Determine the location of the plaque based on the color stains. Plaque is often invisible, so it is difficult to know how much plaque is on your teeth. To fix this, you can buy plaque staining tablets at the supermarket or drugstore. These tablets, when chewed, will stain the plaque on your teeth bright red, making it easier to check and identify areas to focus on when brushing.

Green food coloring when applied to teeth with a cotton swab has the same effect, meaning it will turn plaque blue and make it easier to identify.

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Use the right toothbrush and toothpaste. To effectively brush your teeth and ensure as much plaque removal as possible, it’s important that you have the right tools. Although there are many styles of toothbrushes on the market, the American Dental Association states that any “soft nylon brush with round, smooth bristles” will do just fine. ^{[1] X Research Source} Hard-bristled toothbrushes often have too much friction, which will wear down tooth enamel and hurt gums. Even if you don’t use the right brushing technique, a soft-bristled toothbrush is better.

You also need a good toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride strengthens teeth, protects teeth from decay and prevents the formation of cavities.
Electric toothbrushes are no more effective at cleaning teeth than regular toothbrushes. However, some people find that they tend to brush their teeth more often and for longer when they have a mechanical toothbrush, so it’s also a good idea to invest in a power brush.
Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every three to four months, as the cleaning effectiveness of the brush will decrease over time.

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Use correct brushing technique. When brushing, you need to hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and brush away from the gums using short vertical back-and-forth motions or circular motions. Try not to brush too hard, as vigorous movements can damage enamel and make teeth more sensitive to any irritant. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Focus on each tooth. Pay attention to each tooth when brushing, make sure not to miss any teeth. Remember to brush your teeth on the outer, inner and chewing surfaces. Pay special attention to the hard-to-reach teeth at the back. Proper brushing takes 2 minutes – you can use a stopwatch to tell the time and hum a song to pass the time.

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Remember to brush your tongue. Plaque can easily accumulate on the surface of the tongue due to food marks, so you also need to rub it gently on your tongue. This step will also help freshen your breath.

When brushing your tongue, you need to brush from back to front and repeat the brushing movement 4-5 times.

Practice good oral hygiene

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Brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing is the most effective way to remove plaque. Proper and regular brushing will help reduce plaque build-up over time. This step is very important because accumulated plaque can become calcified into tartar and will be much more difficult to clean. You need to brush your teeth at least once a day, but dentists recommend brushing twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening before going to bed. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

It is very important to brush your teeth before going to bed, because bacteria will become active and secrete acids that are difficult to neutralize due to reduced saliva.

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Use dental floss to clean teeth. Flossing is an essential component of effective oral care, which is unfortunately often overlooked. Using dental floss helps remove bacteria and food particles stuck in between teeth, preventing the formation of plaque. This step should be done once a day at bedtime, before brushing your teeth. Slide the floss into the spaces between the teeth with gentle movements, and pull the floss along the edges of the teeth. Avoid “picking” only the area to be cleaned, as this can irritate sensitive gum tissue.

Make sure to use clean floss for each tooth, or else you’re just moving bacteria from one area of your mouth to another.
If you find flossing difficult to work with, try using a toothpick. A dental toothpick is a small wooden or plastic stick that can be inserted between teeth, the effect is similar to dental floss. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Use an anti-plaque mouthwash. While anti-plaque mouthwashes are not effective enough to remove all plaque, when used as part of a teeth cleaning routine with brushing and flossing, this product can It can help remove plaque, and also helps freshen breath with a minty smell.

Mouthwash containing chlorhexidine digluconate is the most effective against all types of bacteria in the mouth, but should not be used continuously for more than 2 weeks.

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Avoid foods high in sugar or flour. Bacteria on plaque live on foods containing sugar and flour. The fact is that every time you eat these foods, the bacteria secrete acids that cause tooth decay. To avoid this, try to limit your intake of processed foods; Pay special attention to brushing and flossing if you want to pamper yourself with sugary treats. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Periodic professional dental cleaning. Even with good oral hygiene practices at home, it helps to visit the dentist every six months. Only a dentist can help you clean your teeth thoroughly to remove most hard-to-reach plaque and stubborn tartar.

Try home remedies

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Use baking soda. This is one of the oldest natural remedies to remove plaque at home. Simply sprinkle some baking soda in the bowl, wet the brush, then dip the bristles in the baking soda. Brush your teeth as usual. If you like, you can add a pinch of salt to the baking soda. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Avoid scrubbing hard when using baking soda to brush your teeth. In addition, you should not use baking soda for more than 5 days in a row because the friction can damage tooth enamel if used too often.

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Eat apples and watermelons. An apple or a few pieces of watermelon eaten right after a meal can help you clean your teeth naturally and prevent plaque from accumulating on the surface of your teeth. This also helps keep gums healthy and prevents bleeding.

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Rub the orange peel on your teeth. The vitamin C in citrus fruits like oranges can help fight microorganisms that grow on the surface of your teeth. Try rubbing the inside of an orange peel on your teeth before going to bed at night.

Steps

Brush off plaque

Practice good oral hygiene

Try home remedies

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