Remove Tartar from Your Teeth and Whiten Them with These Simple Recipes
Maintaining a clean and healthy smile is essential, not only for aesthetic reasons but also for your overall oral health. Tartar (or dental calculus) is a hard deposit that forms on your teeth when plaque isn’t removed, leading to buildup. While visiting your dentist for a professional cleaning is crucial, there are some at-home remedies that can help remove tartar and even whiten your teeth.
Advertissement
What is Tartar?
Tartar is a hardened form of plaque, a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that forms on your teeth after eating or drinking. When plaque is not removed by brushing and flossing, it can harden and turn into tartar. This can result in yellow or brown stains on your teeth and lead to gum disease, cavities, and bad breath if left untreated.
Effective Recipes to Remove Tartar and Whiten Teeth
Here are some simple, natural remedies that can help you fight tartar buildup and even brighten your smile:
1. Baking Soda and Water Paste
Baking soda is mildly abrasive and can help scrub away tartar and plaque while whitening your teeth.
What You Need:
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• A few drops of water
Instructions:
1. Mix the baking soda with a few drops of water to form a paste.
2. Dip your toothbrush into the paste and brush your teeth gently for 2 minutes.
3. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
How It Works:
Baking soda helps in removing surface stains on your teeth and neutralizes acids in the mouth, which can reduce the formation of tartar. Its abrasiveness also helps to scrub away some of the buildup.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar Mouthwash
Apple cider vinegar is an effective natural cleanser that can help in the removal of tartar and whitening of teeth.
What You Need:
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup of warm water
Instructions:
1. Mix the apple cider vinegar with water.
2. Swish the mixture around your mouth for about 30 seconds.
3. Spit it out and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
How It Works:
Apple cider vinegar has natural acids that can help dissolve tartar and plaque. It also has antibacterial properties, making it effective at cleaning the teeth and mouth.
3. Coconut Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is an ancient practice that involves swishing oil around in your mouth to help clean your teeth, remove tartar, and improve overall oral health.
What You Need:
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil (or sesame oil)
Instructions:
1. Swish 1 tablespoon of coconut oil around your mouth for 10–15 minutes.
2. Spit it out and rinse your mouth with warm water.
3. Brush your teeth afterward.
How It Works:
Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that can help reduce the bacteria in your mouth, preventing plaque and tartar buildup. It also helps to remove surface stains, naturally whitening your teeth.
4. Strawberries and Baking Soda Scrub
Strawberries contain malic acid, which can help whiten teeth by removing surface stains. Combined with baking soda, it creates a natural abrasive paste to scrub off tartar and brighten teeth.
What You Need:
• 1 ripe strawberry
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
Instructions:
1. Mash the strawberry and mix it with baking soda.
2. Apply the mixture to your teeth and leave it on for 5 minutes.
3. Brush your teeth gently with the paste.
4. Rinse your mouth with water.
How It Works:
Strawberries’ malic acid breaks down tartar and removes stains, while baking soda adds a mild abrasive action to scrub your teeth. This combination can help whiten your teeth over time.
5. Lemon and Baking Soda Paste
Lemon has natural whitening properties due to its citric acid content, while baking soda is abrasive enough to scrub tartar away.
What You Need:
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
Instructions:
1. Mix the lemon juice with baking soda to form a paste.
2. Apply the paste to your toothbrush and gently scrub your teeth for 2 minutes.
3. Rinse thoroughly with water.
How It Works:
Lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent, and when combined with baking soda, it can help remove tartar buildup and whiten your teeth. However, because of the acidity of lemon, it is important not to use this remedy too frequently, as it may erode enamel.
6. Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic that can help kill bacteria, remove stains, and break down tartar on teeth. Combined with baking soda, it forms a powerful paste that can clean and whiten teeth.
What You Need:
• 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide (3% solution)
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
Instructions:
1. Mix the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to form a paste.
2. Apply the paste to your toothbrush and gently scrub your teeth for 2 minutes.
3. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
How It Works:
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural whitening agent that breaks down surface stains and helps kill bacteria in your mouth. Baking soda works as a gentle abrasive to scrub away tartar and plaque buildup.
Tips for Maintaining a Tartar-Free Smile:
1. Brush your teeth twice daily: This removes food particles and prevents plaque from building up.
2. Floss daily: Flossing helps to remove plaque from between your teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach.
3. Avoid sugary foods and drinks: Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, leading to plaque formation.
4. Drink plenty of water: Water helps to rinse food particles from your mouth and prevents plaque buildup.
5. Visit your dentist regularly: Regular cleanings will keep your teeth free of tartar and allow your dentist to monitor your oral health.
Conclusion
While these natural remedies can help reduce tartar buildup and whiten your teeth, they should be used in conjunction with regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups. Remember that if tartar buildup is extensive, it’s best to visit a dentist for a professional cleaning. Keep your smile bright and healthy by maintaining a good oral hygiene routine and incorporating these natural remedies to prevent tartar from building up.
