Effective Ways to Remove Dental Plaque

Identify plaque locations using staining methods. Plaque is usually invisible, making it hard to know how much is on your teeth. To solve this, you can purchase plaque-disclosing tablets from supermarkets or pharmacies. Chewing these tablets will stain plaque bright red, helping you identify areas to focus on while brushing.

• Green food coloring applied with a cotton swab works similarly, turning plaque blue and making it easier to spot.

Use the right toothbrush and toothpaste. To brush your teeth effectively and remove as much plaque as possible, it’s crucial to have the right tools. While there are many types of toothbrushes on the market, the American Dental Association states that any “soft-bristled nylon brush with rounded and polished bristles” works well. Hard-bristled brushes can be too abrasive, wearing down enamel and irritating gums. Even if your brushing technique isn’t perfect, a soft-bristled brush is still the better choice.

• You also need a good fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride strengthens teeth, protects against decay, and prevents cavities.
• Electric toothbrushes aren’t necessarily more effective at cleaning teeth than manual ones. However, some people find they brush more frequently and for longer with an electric toothbrush, making it a worthwhile investment.
• Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every 3-4 months, as its cleaning effectiveness diminishes over time.

Use proper brushing techniques. When brushing, hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and brush away from the gums using short back-and-forth or circular motions. Avoid brushing too hard, as aggressive brushing can damage enamel and make teeth more sensitive to stimuli.

Focus on each tooth individually. Pay attention to each tooth while brushing, ensuring none are missed. Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces. Give extra attention to hard-to-reach teeth at the back. Proper brushing should take about 2 minutes—use a timer or hum a song to keep track of time.

Don’t forget to brush your tongue. Plaque can easily build up on the tongue’s surface due to food residue, so gently brush your tongue as well. This step also helps keep your breath fresh.

• When brushing your tongue, move from the back to the front and repeat the motion 4-5 times.

Brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing is the most effective way to remove plaque. Proper and regular brushing reduces plaque buildup over time. This step is crucial because accumulated plaque can harden into tartar, which is much harder to clean. You should brush at least once a day, but dentists recommend brushing twice daily—once in the morning and once at night before bed.

• Brushing before bed is especially important, as bacteria become more active and release acids that are harder to neutralize due to reduced saliva production.

Use dental floss to clean between teeth. Dental floss is an essential part of effective oral care, though it’s often overlooked. Flossing removes bacteria and food particles stuck between teeth, preventing plaque formation. This should be done once daily, ideally before brushing at bedtime. Gently guide the floss between teeth and slide it along the sides of each tooth. Avoid snapping the floss, as this can irritate sensitive gum tissue.

• Use a clean section of floss for each tooth to avoid spreading bacteria from one area to another.
• If flossing is difficult, try using a dental pick. These small wooden or plastic sticks can be inserted between teeth and are just as effective as floss.

Use anti-plaque mouthwash. While anti-plaque mouthwash alone isn’t enough to remove all plaque, it can help loosen plaque when used as part of a cleaning routine that includes brushing and flossing. It also leaves your breath minty fresh.

• Mouthwash containing chlorhexidine digluconate is the most effective against oral bacteria, but it shouldn’t be used continuously for more than two weeks.

Avoid sugary and starchy foods. Plaque bacteria thrive on sugar and starch. Every time you consume these foods, bacteria release acids that cause tooth decay. To prevent this, limit processed foods and be extra diligent about brushing and flossing if you indulge in sugary or starchy treats.

Schedule professional dental cleanings. Even with good at-home oral hygiene, visiting the dentist every six months is beneficial. Only a dentist can thoroughly clean your teeth, removing plaque from hard-to-reach areas and stubborn tartar buildup.

Use baking soda. This is one of the oldest natural remedies for removing plaque at home. Simply sprinkle some baking soda into a bowl, wet your toothbrush, and dip the bristles into the baking soda. Brush your teeth as usual. If you prefer, you can add a pinch of salt to the baking soda.

• Avoid scrubbing too hard when using baking soda. Also, don’t use it for more than five consecutive days, as the abrasiveness can harm enamel if used too frequently.

Eat apples and watermelon. Eating an apple or a few pieces of watermelon right after a meal can naturally clean your teeth and prevent plaque buildup on the tooth surface. This also helps keep gums healthy and prevents bleeding.

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

Chew sesame seeds. Chew a tablespoon of sesame seeds without swallowing, then use a dry toothbrush to brush your teeth, using the seeds as a toothpaste substitute. Sesame seeds help remove plaque and polish your teeth.

Rub tomatoes and strawberries on your teeth. Like oranges, tomatoes and strawberries are rich in vitamin C. Cut them and rub the juice onto your teeth, then wait for about 5 minutes. Avoid using strawberries, tomatoes, oranges, or any other plaque-removing foods if you’re allergic to them. Rinse your mouth with a solution of baking soda dissolved in water.

Make homemade toothpaste. If you want to avoid the chemicals often found in store-bought toothpaste, you can create a 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 powder, and 20 drops of an essential oil of your choice, such as peppermint or cinnamon. Store your toothpaste in a small glass jar and use it like regular toothpaste.