Be sure to change toothbrushes regularly as they lose their effectiveness with use. The best way to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth is by flossing once a day and brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Learn more about what to do for healthy teeth and gums. A dentist or another healthcare professional can prescribe antiseptic mouthwashes that are more potent than those available OTC.ĭentists can also apply sealants to the chewing areas of the teeth to help prevent plaque buildup in between professional dental cleanings. People who have gingivitis may require a stronger type of mouthwash. Many over-the-counter (OTC) mouthwash bottles contain fluoride for extra protection against plaque. However, a 2017 systematic review found that electric toothbrushes, especially those with oscillating heads, are more effective at removing plaque and reducing gingivitis.Īfter flossing and brushing the teeth, rinse out the mouth with mouthwash. People can achieve good results using manual toothbrushes. Brush the front and back surfaces of all the upper teeth.Start in the back of the mouth with the top molars.To brush the teeth effectively, a person can: After flossing, the toothbrush will remove plaque on the surface of the teeth. They also recommend flossing once a day.įlossing first will remove pieces of food and plaque from between the teeth and hard-to-reach areas. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. The best way to remove plaque and tartar is to practice good oral hygiene. Other edible oils for oil pulling can include: Spit out the coconut oil into a trash can or a paper towel.Ī person should avoid spitting the oil into the sink, as it may clog the pipes.Swish the coconut oil around the mouth for 5–10 minutes.Place 1 tablespoon of warm coconut oil in the mouth.Instructions for oil pulling can include: However, larger studies are needed to support oil pulling as an effective dental hygiene practice. The researchers believe this was due to the reduction in dental plaque. The study participants also experienced a significant decrease in gingivitis symptoms. Coconut oil also contains lauric acid, a fatty acid with antimicrobial properties.Ī 2015 study involving 60 adolescents with gingivitis found that oil pulling with coconut oil resulted in a 50% decrease in dental plaque. However, oil pulling is unlikely to cause harm in addition to the ADA-recommended practices outlined above.Ĭoconut oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The ADA recommends brushing teeth twice daily with toothpaste containing fluoride and flossing once daily to support oral health. So far, there have been no reliable studies to show its effectiveness. However, the ADA does not recommend this practice for removing plaque and tartar. It involves swishing, or pulling, an edible oil around in the mouth through the gaps between the teeth. Oil pulling is a folk remedy said to remove bacteria from the mouth and improve oral health. Research from 2017 suggests that baking soda can significantly reduce the amount of S. Streptococcus mutans, for example, is a bacteria primarily responsible for tooth decay.īaking soda also has antimicrobial properties that may prevent tooth decay. The mouth is home to a diverse ecosystem of bacteria, some of which are beneficial while others can be harmful. When the pH drops below this range, demineralization begins to occur.īaking soda reduces demineralization because it has a high pH, which can help balance the pH level inside the mouth and prevent enamel loss. The lower limit for enamel pH ranges between 5.1–5.5. The lower the pH, the more acidic the substance. Scientists measure the acidity of a substance using the pH scale. While still abrasive, baking soda toothpaste is not as hard as the enamel that makes up teeth and can remove plaque without damaging the enamel.Ī 2017 review suggests that toothpaste that contains baking soda may be more effective at reducing the amount of plaque in the mouth than traditional toothpaste.Īnother review from 2017 published in the same journal found that toothpaste containing baking soda falls within safe dental abrasivity levels, meaning that they are unlikely to harm tooth enamel.īaking soda also protects against demineralization, which is a chemical process that removes calcium from tooth enamel.Ĭarbohydrates from food can drastically lower the pH level in the mouth, creating an acidic environment that causes demineralization. Brushing with baking soda can safely and effectively remove plaque.
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