Content

• Steps

Plaque is made up of accumulation of bacteria, dead cells and debris on teeth. Although not visible to the naked eye, plaque actually harms teeth because it interacts with certain foods, secreting acids that cause tooth decay. If the plaque builds up, it becomes much harder to remove tartar, and it can also cause the gums to drop and become inflamed. Removing plaque is easy, as you only need to clean it up a little more!

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Brush off the plaque

1. 

   Determine the location of the plaque based on stains. Plaque is usually not visible, so it is difficult to know how much plaque is on your teeth. To fix this, you can buy plaque dye pills at a supermarket or pharmacy. When chewed, these tablets will color the plaque on the teeth to bright red, making it easy to check and identify areas to focus on when brushing.
   • Green food coloring when applied to your teeth with a cotton swab is just as effective, meaning it turns the plaque green and makes it easy to identify.

2. 

   
   
   Use the right toothbrush and toothpaste. To effectively brush your teeth and ensure to remove as much plaque as possible, it is important that you have the right tools. Although there are many types of brushes on the market, the American Dental Association claims that any "soft bristle brush with round and smooth bristles" will work well. Hard bristles are often too frictional, causing tooth enamel wear and gum pain. Even if you're not using the right technique of brushing your teeth, a soft bristled brush is still better.
   • You also need a good toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride keeps teeth strong, protects teeth from decay and prevents the formation of cavities.
   • A mechanical toothbrush is no more effective at cleaning teeth than a regular toothbrush. However, some people find that they tend to brush their teeth more often and for longer with a machine brush, so it is a good idea to invest in a machine brush.
   • Dentists recommend replacing the toothbrush every three to four months, as the cleaning effect of the toothbrush will decrease over time.

3. 

   
   
   Use the right brushing technique. When brushing your teeth, hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gums and brush away from your gums using a short longitudinal or circular motion. Try not to brush too hard, as the forceful action can damage the enamel and make your teeth sensitive to all triggers.

4. 

   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 outside, inside, and chewing surfaces. Pay special attention to teeth that are difficult to reach in the innermost. Proper brushing takes 2 minutes - you can use a stopwatch to know the time and hum a song to kill time.

5. 

   
   
   Remember to brush your tongue. Plaque can easily build up on the surface of your tongue from food marks, so you should also rub it lightly on your tongue. This step will also help freshen your breath.
   • When brushing your tongue, brush back to front and repeat 4-5 times.
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Method 2 of 3: Practice good oral hygiene

1. 

   Brush your teeth 2 times a day. Brushing is the most effective way to remove plaque. Brushing your teeth properly and regularly will help reduce plaque build up over time. This step is important because the accumulated plaque can be calcified into tartar and will be much more difficult to remove. You need to brush your teeth at least once a day, but dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening before going to bed.
   • Brushing your teeth before bed is very important, as the bacteria become active and secrete acids that are difficult to neutralize due to reduced saliva.

2. 

   Floss your teeth. Flossing is an essential ingredient in effective dental care, which is unfortunately often overlooked. The use of floss helps to remove bacteria and food debris from between teeth, preventing plaque formation. This step should be done once a day at bedtime, before brushing your teeth. Slide the floss into the teeth in a gentle motion, and pull the thread along the edge of the teeth. Avoid "scratching" just where you need to clean, as this action can irritate sensitive gum tissues.
   • Make sure to use a clean thread for each tooth, otherwise all you can do is move the bacteria from one area of ​​the mouth to another.
   • If floss is difficult to handle, try using a dental toothpick. A dental toothpick is a small wooden or plastic stick that can be inserted into the teeth, similar in effect to floss.

3. 

   Use an anti-plaque mouthwash. Although anti-plaque mouthwashes are not effective enough to remove the entire plaque, when used as part of a teeth cleaning routine with brushing and flossing, this product does can help loosen the plaque, in addition help to smell minty breath.
   • 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.

4. 

   Avoid foods high in sugar or flour. The bacteria on the plaque survive on foods containing sugar and flour. The fact is that each time you eat these foods, the bacteria secrete acids that cause tooth decay. To avoid this, try to limit processed foods; Pay special attention to brushing and flossing if you want to indulge yourself with sugar-flour dishes.

5. 

   Periodically clean specialist teeth. Even with good oral hygiene at home, it can be helpful to visit the dentist every six months. Only a dentist can help you thoroughly clean your teeth to remove most of the hard-to-reach plaque and stubborn plaque. advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Try home remedies

1. 

   Use baking soda. This is one of the oldest natural remedies for plaque removal at home. Simply sprinkle a little baking soda in the bowl, wet your brush, then dip the bristles of the brush into the baking soda. Brush your teeth as usual. If you like, you can add a pinch of salt to the baking soda.
   • Avoid scrubbing when using baking soda to brush your teeth. Also, you should not use baking soda for more than five days in a row because the friction can damage tooth enamel if used too often.

2. 

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

3. 

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

4. 

   Chew sesame seeds. Chew one teaspoon of sesame seeds but don't swallow, then brush your teeth with a dry brush, using the sesame as a toothpaste. Sesame seeds will help remove plaque and polish teeth.

5. 

   Rub tomatoes and strawberries against your teeth. Like oranges, tomatoes and strawberries are rich in vitamin C. Cut out and rub the water over the surface of your teeth, then wait about 5 minutes. Don't use strawberries, tomatoes, oranges or any other food that will help remove plaque if you are allergic to them. Gargle with baking soda dissolved in water.

6. 

   Make toothpaste at home. If you want to avoid chemicals found in store-bought creams, you can make your own natural anti-plaque toothpaste with just a few ingredients. Mix ½ cup of coconut oil with 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda, 2 small packets of stevia, and 20 drops of your choice of essential oils, such as peppermint or cinnamon. Store your toothpaste in a small glass jar and serve as a regular toothpaste. advertisement