Tartar is a hardened plaque that cannot be removed by brushing alone. While natural habits can help reduce buildup and prevent it from forming, professional cleaning is required to remove existing tartar. Maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental visits is key to keeping your teeth healthy.
Most of us try to take care of our teeth at home, brushing regularly, flossing when we remember, and trying to avoid too many sugary foods. But even with good habits, you might still notice a rough, yellowish buildup on your teeth. That’s tartar.
One of the most common questions we get to hear in Clove Dental is: Is it possible to remove tartar at home?
It’s a fair question. There is a wealth of advice on the internet that tells you how you can treat tartar with home remedies or natural methods- some of them may help reduce the accumulation of tartar, although all of them do not work in the way that people think they would work.
Let’s break down what tartar really is, what natural methods can do, and when it’s time to visit a dentist in Camarillo.
Tartar, also known as calculus, forms when plaque is not removed from the teeth.
Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria that builds up throughout the day. If it isn’t cleaned away with brushing and flossing, it hardens over time and turns into tartar.
Once tartar forms, it sticks firmly to the teeth and can’t be removed with a toothbrush.
This is where it’s important to be clear.
Natural methods can help reduce plaque and slow down tartar buildup but they cannot fully remove hardened tartar once it has formed. We will always teach, at Clove Dental, that to have a safe tartar removal, we have to use professional tools. Having a proper everyday schedule can go a long way in avoiding the accumulation of tartar in the first place.
These tricks do not soften already hardened tartar, but can help keep your teeth clean and reduce future build-up.
Turn to the right technique to brush twice a day and focus on plaque prior to its solidification. Also do not forget to slide along the gumline, where plaque prefers to conceal itself best.
Flossing removes the plaque and food between the teeth- areas where your brush cannot reach. Leaving out floss is one of the major causes of tartar dragging along in the hard to reach crevices.
Other people include oil pulling as part of their daily ritual. It could reduce the bacteria but consider it a supplement, not an alternative to brushing and flossing.
Soda baking powder can be used to lighten surface stains and remove plaque, although sparingly. Excess use may be rough on enamel.
Eating fruits such as apples, carrots and celery poke saliva and scrub teeth as you chew.
Drinking water throughout the day helps wash away food particles and bacteria, reducing plaque buildup.
Natural methods can:
They cannot:
Difference also helps you to avoid depending on fool proof home repairs which will not work.
Once tartar forms, it needs to be removed by a dental professional.
In Clove dental we have special equipment where we clean the teeth and below the gum line in order to remove tartar without destroying enamel or gums. Incidentally, attempting to use sharp objects or rough methods at home would damage you.
That’s why visiting a dentist in Camarillo is the safest and most effective way to deal with tartar buildup.
Untreated tartar can cause more serious problems which include:
With time, tartar will chew on your teeth and even your overall oral health regardless of it being treated or not.
The most effective remedy is preventive tartar. We usually recommend:
Brush twice daily
Floss every day
Reduce high-calorie foods and beverages.
Drink plenty of water
Appear at regular dentist checkups.
At Clove Dental, routine cleanings with our dentist in Camarillo play a key role in keeping tartar under control.
Nature habits do have the ability to improve your oral and trim plaque. However, realistic expectations count when there is tartar in the brew. When it gets there it will require a professional to take it out. At Clove Dental, we assist patients in maintaining a healthy state of their teeth by applying their care on a daily basis and a routine visit.
Spotting tartar? Wait not--take an appointment in Camarillo and have it well in hand and prevent trouble to come.
Can tartar be removed naturally at home?
No, that can never be removed at home when it has hardened on your teeth. It is only safe when done by professional cleaning.
What is the safest natural way to reduce tartar?
It is better to practice good habits daily: brushing, flossing, keeping hydrated, etc., in order not to allow plaque which may turn into tartar.
How long does it take for tartar to form on teeth?
Tartar can begin forming within 24 to 72 hours if plaque is not removed properly.
Are natural remedies as effective as professional cleaning?
No. Natural methods can help prevent buildup but they are not as effective as professional cleaning when it comes to removing tartar.