Does your mouth feel like it’s been through a sandstorm?
If so, you’ve likely been neglecting your teeth, and might want to start paying more attention to your oral health. One of the most common dental problems is plaque, which is a biofilm that forms on teeth. It’s made up of bacteria, saliva, and food particles. It hardens into tartar over time and can make your teeth feel rough and dull looking. This can lead to bad breath, gum disease, cavities, and even tooth loss. Fortunately, there are several ways you can get rid of plaque at home before it becomes a major problem. Here are some things you can try.
10.Rinse with Vinegar and Salt
There are plenty of antibacterial rinses available at drugstores, but they’re generally expensive and contain harsh chemicals that may irritate your mouth. A simple home remedy for dental plaque is a mixture of 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 4 ounces of warm water. Swish with this solution as you would with a regular mouthwash. Rinse with water, and repeat every 2 to 3 days for best results.
9. Brush with Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
These powerful ingredients can help brush away tartar buildup on your teeth. Just mix a quarter teaspoon of baking soda with a quarter teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide in half a cup of warm water. After brushing your teeth with your regular toothpaste, brush with this mixture. Spit it out, and rinse with water. Not only will this help cleanse your mouth of plaque and tartar buildup, but it will also whiten your teeth!
8. Rub Your Teeth with Orange Peel
This is another super easy and all-natural remedy! Simply cut an orange in half, and then run the peel over your teeth. Make sure you don’t scrub too hard or use too much pressure. You just want to rub gently across your teeth and gums. The enzymes in the orange will help break down the plaque and tartar on your teeth, allowing it to be easily removed by brushing or flossing. You’ll be amazed at how clean and fresh your teeth feel afterward!
7. Try Oil Pulling
This is an ancient Ayurvedic technique, and one of the easiest ways to get rid of plaque. Here’s what you do: Take 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut, sunflower, or sesame oil, and swish it around in your mouth for 10 to 20 minutes a day. If you have trouble focusing on keeping the oil in your mouth for so long, you can do this while watching TV. When you’re done swishing, rinse your mouth with water, then brush your teeth as usual. The oil helps pull the plaque away from your teeth, which makes it easier to remove.
6. Chew Gum with Xylitol or Cinnamon
Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which naturally helps wash away food particles. The best kind of gum for fighting against plaque is one with xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol that’s been shown to reduce the amount of plaque that forms on your teeth. The best part? It doesn’t cause cavities! Cinnamon is another natural compound that has been shown to fight plaque. So if you’d like an alternative to the traditional minty-flavored gums, try chewing cinnamon-flavored ones instead.
5. Eat Foods That Scrub
If you want to keep your teeth clean and healthy, try eating more foods that naturally scrub your teeth. Apples, celery sticks, carrots, peppers. All great options. Not only will these foods help you fight off plaque buildup, but they’ll also give you an extra boost of vitamins and minerals. Plus, they taste great!
4. Increase Vitamin C
Another way to get rid of dental plaque is to increase your vitamin C intake. The reason for this is simple: Vitamin C helps your body produce collagen, which is an integral part of your gums. A vitamin C deficiency is actually linked to a higher risk of developing gum recession, cavities, tooth sensitivity, gum inflammation, and enamel erosion. To increase the amount of vitamin C in your system, you can eat more citrus fruits, cruciferous vegetables, strawberries, and tomatoes. Alternatively, you can take a supplement.
3. Take Some Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria that help keep your gut healthy and strengthen your immune system. They can also help keep your mouth clean! So, if you have a lot of buildup around your teeth, consider taking probiotics regularly. They are found in foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, miso soup, and kombucha. But you can also get them in supplement form.
2. Eat Some Chilli Peppers
Yet another natural way to eliminate plaque buildup is by adding chili peppers to your diet. So, if you like biting into something spicy, you’re in luck! Chilli peppers contain capsaicin, a compound often used to treat chronic pain and inflammation. And it turns out that the same compound is great at minimizing dental plaque!
It not only fights bad bacteria, but also increases saliva production and flow. This will help reduce the risk of developing cavities and tooth decay. And while you can enjoy chili peppers in your food, you can also mash up some fresh ones and rub the paste directly onto your teeth for a couple of minutes in the evening. Follow with your regular brushing routine.
1. Rinse with Clove Oil
Clove oil has been used for thousands of years to relieve pain and inflammation. It also has antibacterial properties and can help eliminate harmful bacteria. The easiest way to use clove oil is by adding four drops to a glass of warm water and swishing this solution for a few minutes twice a day. You’ll probably want to brush afterward so that you don’t have any oily residue on your teeth.
Now you know what causes dental plaque, how it affects your teeth, and the best ways to get rid of it. To prevent plaque from forming in the first place, brush your teeth twice a day, and don’t forget to floss! Also, avoid sugary foods and beverages, and drink plenty of water throughout the day to wash away food particles before they can stick around long enough to become plaque. And be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and professional cleaning.
