How to Remove Tartar at Home
The important distinction is between plaque and tartar (calculus):
Plaque is the soft bacterial film that you can remove at home with brushing and cleaning between your teeth.
Tartar is plaque that has hardened. Once it forms, a toothbrush and floss generally cannot remove it; professional scaling is the safe way to remove established tartar.
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What you can safely do at home
Brush twice a day for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
Clean between your teeth once a day using floss, interdental brushes, or another appropriate interdental cleaner.
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Ada Association
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Consider an ADA-accepted therapeutic mouthwash if appropriate for you; mouthwash is an addition, not a replacement for brushing and interdental cleaning.
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Ada Association
Reduce frequent sugary foods and drinks and avoid tobacco.
Keep up regular dental checkups and professional cleanings.
Don’t try to scrape it off yourself
Avoid using pins, needles, knives, metal scrapers, or homemade acidic mixtures such as vinegar or lemon juice. You can injure your gums, scratch tooth enamel or damage dental work. Unsupervised dental treatments can cause irreversible complications.
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Ada Association
If you already have a hard yellow/brown buildup, especially along the gumline, it probably needs professional scaling rather than another home remedy. Tartar left in place can contribute to gum inflammation and periodontal disease.
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Ada Association
If your gums bleed frequently, are swollen, painful, receding, or your teeth feel loose, don’t delay getting them examined. Those can be signs of gum disease requiring more than routine cleaning.
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