How to Remove Tartar from Teeth Without Dentist

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Wondering how to remove tartar from teeth without dentist?

Tartar buildup is the leading cause of gum disease and tooth enamel erosion, so being able to remove it is critical if you want to maintain good oral health.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely stop plaque from developing in your mouth in the first place – but it is possible to reduce its ability to build up, and it is possible to get rid of it before it causes any damage.

In this article, we’ll go over what you can do to prevent tartar buildup, and what you can do to get rid of tartar that has already layered itself over your teeth and gums. And the best thing about this is that you do not need a dentist to do it for you.

What tartar is and why it is a threat to your oral health

First of all, what is tartar?

Many think that tartar is just another word for plaque, but there is a difference between the two. Plaque is soft and forms on your teeth and gums daily. It is only when plaque buildup is left on and between your gums for long enough to mix with lodged food particles that it becomes tartar, also known as dental calculus.

Tartar is essentially hardened plaque. It has a yellowy color and is much harder to remvoe than normal plaque. 

Once plaque buildup has turned into tartar, it also poses much more of a risk to your dental and oral health. Here are the simple reasons why:

Tartar buildup causes enamel erosion and tooth decay

Plaque causing bacteria that erodes the protective layer of enamel on your teeth is old news, but when plaque becomes tartar, it can erode your enamel much faster.

Once your teeth have become weakened due to tooth enamel loss, cavities begin to develop. Learn more abut how to identify and reverse early-stage cavities right here.

Tartar causes gum disease

Tartar isn’t merely bad for your teeth – it is also extremely bad for your gums.

When tartar buildup is able to proliferate between your teeth, along your gum line and even in your gum pockets, this is a certain recipe for gum disease.

To learn more about gum disease and how to reverse it, read our article on the topic here.

How to prevent tartar buildup 

The best defence against tartar buildup is commitment to your daily oral hygiene routine. This should involve:

Brush twice a day

The American Dental Association recommends toothbrushing twice a day. Brush for two minutes each time, and always use small circular motions without applying too much pressure.

Use an electric toothbrush

Studies have found that electric toothbrushes are more effective than their manual counterparts. In other words, if you are currently using a handheld toothbrush, one of the best things you can do to prevent plaque and tartar build up is to switch to an electric.

Use a tartar control toothpaste with baking soda and fluoride

Toothpates are not created equal. The best toothpastes include baking soda and fluoride as their most important ingredients.

Floss daily

Hopefully this doesn’t need to be said, but you should always remember to floss every day. Once a day is enough, but don’t get tempted to skip. There are always going to be food particles stuck between your teeth that, if they mix with plaque, will inevitably turn into tartar.

Reduce your intake of sugary and starchy foods

Making changes to your diet by cutting down on sugary and starchy foods can also be helpful for plaque and tartar reduction.

Rinse after meals

Always rinse your mouth with water after means to flush out any food particles that may have been left behind.

Quit smoking

Smoking is a contributing factor to bacteria and plaque buildup in your mouth, so reducing or quitting your smoking habit is going to be very helpful in terms of reducing tartar.

How to get rid of tartar with natural remedies 

If you have already developed stubborn tartar on your teeth and gums, there are number of natural remedies you can try to remove tartar from your teeth and gums. 

Orange peel

Orange peel is known to be both rich in Vitamin C and antimicrobial properties, so if you are trying to get rid of stubborn tartar buildup, try mashing up some orange peel and mixing it with water. Use a toothbrush to apply the mixture directly to your teeth and gums and scrub gently. Let it sit and rest for about 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off.

If you prefer to keep things simple, you can also simply take a bit of peel and rub the inside part of it onto the site where tartar has built up.

Sesame seeds

Sesame seeds are naturally a great dental scrub, and using them to remove tartar buildup is simple. 

Take a handful of sesame seeds and chew them thoroughly, but don’t swallow. Once yo uare done schewing, rinse out the sesame seeds with a glass of water.

Guava fruit or leaves

Guava fruit or guava leaves are known to remove tartar, as well as reduce gum swelling and irritation. In other words, if your tartar buildup has already brought on the early signs of gum disease, enlist guava leaves to help treat and reverse the condition.

Salt water and white vinegar rinse

Whether you want to remove tartar, reduce gum inflammation or both, a simple mouthrinse made from salt, water and white vinegar can prove tremendously effective.

Simply stir a generous pinch of salt into a glass of water, add white vinegar to the solution and mix. Gargle with this mouthrinse once a day to calm swelling and break down stubborn tartar on both teeth and gums.

See your dentist regularly for checkups and professional deep cleaning

No matter how vigilant you are about maintaining your oral health and hygiene, tartar might still find a place to build up in your mouth, for example in your gum pockets where you are unable to reach with a normal toothbrush or dental floss.

Taking the best care you can of your oral hygiene at home is foundational, but it is no substitutiton for seeing your dentist and your dental hygienist regularly for checkups and for professional deep cleaning of your teeth and gums.

Click here to learn more about professional dental deep cleaning and its cost.

Frequently asked quesitons about removing tartar

Can you remove tartar without a dentist?

Whether you will be able to succesfully remove tartar buildup from your teeth and gums is going to depend on the extend and placement of the tartar. For example, it is often very difficult or even impossible to remove stubborn tartar from teh gum pockets, once it has taken hold.

Having said that, it is perfectly possible to prevent, reduce and remove tartar accumulation at home. The first pillar is prevention, which may involve making certain changes to your diet – specifically, you should reduce your intake of starchy and sugary foods – and quitting smoking. You should also always brush twice a day and floss once.

The second pillar is getting rid of tartar that has already built up in your moth. There are numerous home remedies that can help you do this, including chewing guava leaves or seseame seeds.

What dissolves hard tartar on teeth?

If you want to cut through and remvoe tartar from your teeth and gum line, these are few of the best home remedies: Saltwater and white vinegar mouthrinse, orange peels, guava leaves or fruit and sesame seeds.

Can you dissolve tartar on teeth?

Yes, dissolving tartar buildup is possible, provided that you use the right dental tools and remedies. On an everyday level, these include electric toothbrushes, tartar control toothpaste and dental floss.

For stubborn tartar, try any or all of the home remedies mentioned earlier in this article.

Can you remove hardened tartar?

Yes, but the harder the tartar has become, the harder it is to remove.

Initially, plaque build up is easy to remove using a normal toothbrush and flossing.
However, if it is left to sit and it mixes with food particles in your mouth, it can quickly turn into hardened plaque. You may still be able to remove it yourself at this point, but it will require using an electric toothbrush over a manyal one, as well as baking soda and fluoride toothpaste, rigorous flossing and mouth rinsing.

Final thought

Tartar buildup is the leading cause of both tooth decay and gum disease – in other words, it is something you want to avoid as best you can.

Preventing tartar buildup requires a daily effort to take care of your teeth and gums. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day to prevent tartar buildup. In addition to this, it is important to use the best oral hygiene tools available – so whenever possible, use an electric toothbrush instead of a manual one, and use tartar removal toothpaste if you know you have a tendency to form plaque and tartar easily. 

Dr Febin Mary George - Editor

With more than 10 years as a dental surgeon, Dr Febin Mary George is passionate about educating consumers around the world to help look after their teeth.

She completed her Bachelor of Surgery at the Century Institute of Dental Science and Research Centre in 2010.

Alongside editing the International Journal of Dental Clinics she has also written for major publications including Thrive Global.