7 homemade recipes to get rid of tartar build up on your teeth

Many people say that a smile is a person’s “business card”. And, to maintain beautiful teeth, there’s not much of a secret: you need to take care of oral health in general.

In this sense, the accumulation of tartar on the teeth is a great villain that, more than a bad aesthetic aspect (since the teeth turn yellow or even brown), can facilitate the development of cavities, among other oral discomforts.

Rafael Puglisi, a dentist specializing in aesthetic dentistry, who has among his famous clients such as Neymar, Silvio Santos, Hugo Gloss, among others, comments that tartar is a biofilm that forms, causing the proliferation of bacteria, turning into a bacterial plate that is keratinized. . “It’s like dirt that stays on the surface of the tooth and ends up staining or changing color. And tartar can pigment depending on the foods that are ingested,” he adds.

The accumulation of tartar on the teeth is a problem that can affect anyone, as a result of the constant bacteria in the mouth, so it is necessary to prevent the problem, basically, with a good brushing after each meal and with frequent visits to the dentist.

Still, there are those who risk some homemade recipes that promise to help get rid of the tartar accumulated on the teeth. But do they actually work? Below you can see examples and the opinion of the expert Rafael Puglisi.

1. Consume more vegetables and fruits

According to Puglisi, this measure, in fact, can help. “The tip is the fruits and vegetables that have the base pH, for example, cucumber, different leaves, lettuce… vegetables in general of green color”, he says.

Other examples of foods that you can consume in natura, daily, are: apples, spinach, pears and plums.

2. “Brushing” your teeth with strawberries

A very simple homemade tip is to mash strawberries (very ripe), put them on the toothbrush and use them as a regular toothpaste.

However, Puglisi points out that this is more of a myth. “What really helps to eliminate tartar is the mechanical force of brushing (normal, with toothpaste)”, he says.

3. Use sodium bicarbonate

Diluting a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a glass of water and making a mouthwash for a few seconds with the mixture is one of the best-known homemade recipes in this sense.

It is worth mentioning that this type of recipe should not be used often, which could make teeth sensitive and lead to other problems.

According to Puglisi, though, using baking soda to get rid of tartar is a myth. “There is also that myth that bicarbonate helps whiten teeth. This is all false, people believe it, as bicarbonate is abrasive. Abrasion is the ability of a material to wear down a surface. But, in fact, the mechanical force with which you brush your teeth is what ends up eliminating tartar”, he says.

4. Use hydrogen peroxide

Another well-known recipe is to mix half a cup of water and half a cup of hydrogen peroxide to make a mouthwash for a few seconds. However, once again, care must be taken not to harm the teeth.

Puglisi points out that this measure is not effective. “What can happen is the whitening of that structure (from the accumulated tartar), which is also very difficult to happen”, explains the dentist.

5. Use Aloe Vera gel

Another popular recipe is the mixture of: 1 teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel + 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda + 10 drops of lemon essential oil + 4 teaspoons of vegetable glycerin. Then, brush your teeth once a day with the mixture.

The dentist Puglisi explains, however, that this is not a good option. “It is also worth noting that the use of products originating from lemons helps in the proliferation of tartar”, he says.

6. Chew sesame or parsley

The tip is to chew a handful of sesame daily, without swallowing. After that, teeth should be brushed normally.

Puglisi explains that this habit will release a basic load in the mouth and does not eliminate, but prevents the formation of tartar.

The same tip goes for parsley: you can chew a handful for a few seconds and then spit it out, brushing your teeth normally afterwards. However, care must be taken to wash the leaves well before doing this!

7. Use sunflower oil

The guideline is, simply, to make mouthwash with a spoon (soup) of sunflower oil cold pressed (without swallowing).

However, Puglisi points out that there is nothing better for removing tartar and plaque than a toothbrush, water and toothpaste.

How to prevent tartar from developing

As always, prevention is the best way to go when it comes to tartar buildup on your teeth. And this does not require great homemade recipes and is totally related to oral hygiene habits.

• Brush your teeth thoroughly, for about two minutes, especially after main meals (lunch and dinner);
• Use dental floss daily;
• Visit the dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings and dental exams.

If the accumulation of tartar still occurs, the main advice is to look for the dentist, who will probably use the “scraping” process – which is nothing more than the process of removing the tartar with special instruments.

If you choose to try a homemade recipe, just be sure to be careful not to use products that could harm your mouth and/or your health in general.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.