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• Method 1 of 2: Brush your teeth properly
• Method 2 of 2: Using other methods to remove tartar

Have you ever noticed a sticky residue on your teeth when brushing your teeth? This is plaque, which can harden and turn to tartar if you don't brush it off. Tartar is made up of rough, lumpy deposits along the edge of the gums and you can develop gum disease if you don't do anything. The only way to completely remove tartar is a dental cleaning at the dentist, but you can prevent and remove tartar yourself by brushing and flossing your teeth properly, monitoring your diet and rinsing your mouth with a antiseptic mouthwash.

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Method 1 of 2: Brush your teeth properly

1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Tartar is caused by plaque build-up, so it's important to remove plaque by brushing your teeth for about two minutes at least twice a day.
   • After eating, wait about half an hour before brushing, as eating can soften enamel on your teeth. If you brush too soon after eating, you will remove enamel and your teeth will eventually weaken.
2. Brush the front, back, and chewing surface of your teeth. Make sure to brush your teeth on all sides to remove all plaque. If you're using a manual toothbrush, hold it against your gums at a 45-degree angle. If you have an electric toothbrush, follow the instructions in the owner's manual to make sure you are using the toothbrush correctly.
   • Use a toothbrush with a seal of approval from a dental organization, because then you can be sure that various safety and quality checks have been carried out.
   • Don't forget to brush your tongue to get rid of the bacteria there too.
3. Use a fluoride toothpaste that tackles tartar. Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps reverse acid damage. Toothpaste must always contain fluoride, even in countries where, unlike the Netherlands, fluoride is added to drinking water. Also look for a toothpaste that tackles tartar. Such a toothpaste contains chemical compounds or antibacterial substances that remove plaque, so that tartar cannot form.
4. Add baking soda to your toothpaste once a week. Adding baking soda to your toothpaste can help remove plaque, whiten your teeth and clear bad breath. Put a little baking soda in a bowl and dip your damp toothbrush in it before squeezing toothpaste onto your toothbrush.
   • Using baking soda too often can damage tooth enamel, so only do this once a week.
5. After brushing, rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash. Antiseptic mouthwashes kill the bacteria that feed plaque. By killing the bacteria, plaque is formed less quickly, so that you will also suffer from tartar less quickly.

Method 2 of 2: Using other methods to remove tartar

1. Floss your teeth once a day. Plaque can build up between your teeth, where it is difficult to remove with just brushing. Use regular dental floss or a Y-shaped dental floss holder to remove food debris and plaque build-up to prevent tartar from forming between your teeth.
2. Use a tartar scraper once a week. A tartar scraper is a small tool that can remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. It resembles the aids used by the dentist. The device should be curved to easily reach the areas between your teeth. It should also have a narrow, sharp point.
   • To use the tool, hold the tip against your tooth at the edge of your gum and slowly slide it down to the edge of the chewing surface of your tooth. Rinse it under the tap and repeat the process until all your teeth are smooth and free of tartar. Use a hand mirror so you can see all the tartar spots. Tartar looks like white and yellow spots.
3. Have a diet with lots of raw vegetables. If you eat raw vegetables, chewing tough, fibrous material can help clean your teeth. Replace sugary snacks with vegetables such as carrots, celery and broccoli.
   • The bacteria that cause dental plaque like starchy and sugary foods. The more you eat of it, the more bacteria will grow in your mouth. Make sure to eat these foods in moderation and to rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash shortly after eating.
4. Stop smoking if you smoke. Smokers have been found to be much more prone to tartar than non-smokers. That's because smoking makes your mouth less able to fight bacteria, including those that cause plaque. Tartar build-up can also cause infections in the mouth that your body is less able to fight.
   • Write down the reasons why you want to quit smoking and remind yourself of those reasons to stay strong and be able to persevere during the process of quitting.
   • If it is too difficult to quit all at once, try to cut down on smoking first. Gradually reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke a day until you stop smoking altogether.
   • If you need help quitting smoking, use drugs such as nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and nicotine tablets to meet your nicotine needs.
5. Go to the dentist every six months to have tartar removed. Even if you do a lot yourself to ensure good oral hygiene, don't skip the check-ups at the dentist. Once tartar has formed, it is almost impossible to remove all tartar yourself. So have your teeth cleaned at the dentist every six months.
   • Tartar isn't just ugly. Your body sees tartar as an infection and tries to attack it. If you suffer from tartar for a long time, your immune system can be weakened and you can suffer from other health problems in other parts of your body, such as strokes, heart disease and dementia.