Headlines like “Be your own dentist! Here are some tips for removing tartar buildup at home” are dangerously misleading. While the sentiment of wanting to keep teeth clean is great, attempting to remove tartar yourself is strongly discouraged by dental professionals and can cause permanent damage to your teeth and gums.
Here is the crucial distinction between plaque and tartar, and why at-home removal is a bad idea:
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Plaque vs. Tartar: Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth daily and can be successfully removed at home with regular brushing and flossing. However, if plaque is left on the teeth for even a short time, minerals in your saliva harden it into tartar (calculus).
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Why Home Removal Doesn’t Work: Tartar is rock-hard and firmly bonded to the enamel. Trying to scrape it off yourself using metal pins, needles, DIY dental picks, or harsh abrasives usually results in slipping and gouging the gums, scratching the tooth enamel, or damaging dental work.
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The Risk of Infection: Gums around tartar are often sensitive or inflamed (gingivitis). Poking around with sharp household tools can easily puncture the gum tissue, introducing bacteria and leading to painful infections.
How to Properly Manage Tartar
Once tartar has formed, only a dental professional using specialized, ultrasonic instruments and curettes can safely scale it off your teeth without harming your enamel or soft tissues.
To keep tartar from building up in the first place:
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Brush twice a day for two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste (an electric toothbrush is particularly effective at breaking up soft plaque before it hardens).
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Floss daily to remove plaque from between the teeth where your toothbrush bristles cannot reach.
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Use an antiseptic mouthwash to help reduce bacteria levels in the mouth.
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Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings (typically every six months) to safely remove any tartar that has managed to form.
Have you noticed stubborn buildup or staining on your teeth, or are you just due for a routine dental checkup?
