Everyone wants a nice smile. So, when you look into the mirror, and your pearly whites aren’t so pearly white anymore, you need help with cleaning and whitening teeth fast. Unfortunately, beginning your search for at-home teeth whitening or cleaning remedies that actually work, can be overwhelming with all the options. Some of these stay-at-home methods to whiten your teeth or remove tartar could be damaging, resulting in a smile that is even more susceptible to tooth stains, gum irritation or damage. So, if you’re searching for at-home, safe, and affordable solutions to prevent tartar buildup and whiten your teeth, you’ve come to the right place.
As you know, your pearly white teeth eventually lose their shine and lustre, resulting in yellow teeth. This can be caused by several factors. Some common foods and drinks can cause a buildup of plaque and tartar, which leads to discolouration. So, if you want to win the battle against tartar and plaque with the peace of mind that what you’re doing is healthy for your whiter teeth, read on.
What are Tartar and Plaque? What’s it mean for Teeth whitening?
We reached out to dentists Dr Nicholas Hii and Dr Chen-Yu Liu from High Dental for their expert opinion.
“Tartar occurs when plaque hardens over time. Once it accumulates, it clings on tightly to the teeth and should only be removed safely and professionally with ultrasonic instruments, so the tooth is not damaged. Plaque can also be effectively removed with a non-abrasive antibacterial spray called the airflow. This modern way of cleaning teeth is painless and is great for patients who experience tooth sensitivity.”
“If plaque and tartar are left to accumulate and are not removed on a regular basis, bacteria will colonise around the teeth. Eventually, this results in inflammation of the gums, bone loss around teeth, tooth mobility and even tooth loss!”
The common and visible sign of tartar is the brown and yellow mineral deposit that may appear above your gum line. Seeing your dentist regularly every six months is a win for avoiding tooth decay, and a win for ensuring significantly whiter teeth.
“Having your teeth cleaned prior to tooth whitening allows better contact of the whitening gel to the tooth surface. It enhances the efficacy of the tooth whitening procedure.”
Can I remove Tartar and Dental Plaque at home?
It’s understandable to want a quick and easy fix when it comes to tartar and plaque. Especially when it comes time to get your chompers cleaned before seeking to whiten teeth. Dr Nicholas Hii and Dr Chen-Yu Liu state, “teeth cleaning before whitening treatment is critical as the bleaching chemical can cause further damage to the gums whilst they are in an inflamed state, which can lead to sensitivity and tooth loss.” So, if you want that peace of mind that you will get the most out of your teeth whitening while also avoiding tooth decay and gum disease, you want to make the right teeth cleaning choice for your oral hygiene.
If you come across tartar and dental plaque removing home remedies (like baking soda and salt!), stay far away from them! These remedies can leave bleeding gums and your teeth even more vulnerable to damaging tartar and dental plaque buildup. Attempting to remove solidified plaque yourself is useless as it becomes impossible to be cleansed with home dental appliances. Attempting to remove dental calculus without professional dental equipment and training may cause unnecessary damage to the gums and further infection.
Remember, just because you can buy baking soda, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, apple cider vinegar and coconut oil from the supermarket, doesn’t mean it’s safe to use on your teeth. For the sake of your dental and good oral hygiene, always see a dental professional for help with removing tartar and plaque.
If not at home, then where?
Want to feel confident that you have healthy teeth and gums to match your dazzling smile? Luckily for you, PureSmile offers state of the art teeth cleaning and whitening dentist packages so you can get the most out of your whitening treatments. You can also have the peace of mind that your mouth will be properly free of plaque and tartar buildup. You can get your mouth clean for whiter teeth at any of our locations in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and more. Check out our website to see if we have a dentist near you.
What you can do between dentist visits to prevent tartar on teeth
By no means are we suggesting that the below everyday oral health tips are all you need to avoid gum disease, surface stains, or dental cavities caused by plaque buildup. But, if you introduce some of these tips into your routine, your teeth could become easier to clean at the dentist, therefore making it easier to whiten teeth and prevent tooth decay too.
- Use fluoride toothpaste after each meal.
- Instead of drinking bottled water, try tap water.
- Always rinse your mouth after each meal to wash down food and drink residue on the surface of your teeth.
- Swap your junk food and sweets for fruits and vegetables.
- Avoid or limit your alcohol intake and other high acidity and sugary drinks like sports drinks, alcohol, fruit juice, soft drinks or wine. Sugar in high levels cause plaque formation on your teeth’s surface and removes tooth enamel.
- Avoid foods that leave your mouth feeling dry. Saliva can naturally cleanse your mouth.
- As you’re brushing your teeth at least twice a day, ensure to scrub your teeth for 2 or 3 minutes to make sure you clean as much of your mouth as possible.
- Make sure to brush your tongue to kill bacteria.
- Try to keep your toothbrush clean and replace it regularly.
- Flossing twice a day kills bacteria that settles in hard to reach places for your toothbrush.
- Rinse with mouthwash or good quality antimicrobial liquid twice a day.
- Keep your mouth accessories or dentures clean each day.
For a whiter smile, the choice is yours
If your dream is to keep your teeth pearly white, don’t hesitate to book your teeth whitening treatment with one of our dentists now!
