Good daily oral hygiene is one of the best defenses against serious dental conditions like gum disease, periodontal disease, and tooth decay. One of the most important parts of any daily oral hygiene routine should be plaque removal. Plaque is the thin, yellowish film that accumulates on your teeth, both above and below the germline. Over time, plaque can damage your teeth and allow bacteria to increase inside of your mouth. A dentist can remove it during your yearly cleanings, but it’s good to take steps at home to consistently remove plaque between visits to your dentist.

Proper Brushing and Flossing

The first step toward removing plaque the right way at home is to ensure you are brushing and flossing correctly. Floss prior to brushing to dislodge food particles and plaque that you can then brush away and be sure not to brush too hard. Your dentist can provide you with a demonstration of proper brushing technique and can even recommend the best toothpastes for fighting plaque.

If you practice good brushing and flossing habits every day, you should be able to manage plaque reasonably well at home between visits to your dentist. However, there are a few additional methods you can use at home to remove plaque.

Oil Pulling

If you have ever used a dental rinse, then you can manage oil pulling. This technique requires coconut oil or olive oil, both of which provide some nutritional benefits in addition to removing plaque and strengthening your teeth. Swish a mouthful of your oil of choice to remove plaque buildup, soothe sore gums, and strengthen your teeth. While this may sound simple enough, you will need to swish for 20 to 30 minutes, which is much longer than most dental rinses require.

Baking Soda Treatment

Studies have shown that toothpastes made with baking soda are not only more effective at removing plaque during brushing, but also slow the accumulation of plaque after brushing. Baking soda is a natural scrubbing agent, making it ideal for gently scraping plaque away from your teeth.

Professional Cleaning

The best plaque removal method is visiting your dentist for regular cleanings. Your dentist can use not only specialized tools and cleaning substances to remove plaque but also provide valuable advice for slowing plaque accumulation between visits. Over time, plaque buildup can eventually lead to tartar formation, and removing tartar will require professional cleaning from the dentist.

Your dentist can provide you with individualized advice about removing and managing plaque, but sometimes dental emergencies arise when your regular dentist is unavailable. Contact  24/7 local dentist online or call us at (833) 220-2448 if you need to find a dentist right now, and our team will connect you with a local dentist.

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