Tartar buildup is one of the biggest threats to your oral health. It starts as plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth after eating or drinking. If plaque isn’t removed in time, it hardens into tartar (also called calculus), which is much tougher to remove and can lead to cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
While a professional cleaning is the most effective way to remove tartar, there are steps you can take at home to prevent and reduce buildup between dental visits. Here’s what you need to know about how to get rid of tartar on teeth in between dentist visits.
1. Brush With Fluoride or Tartar-Control Toothpaste
Not all toothpaste is created equal. To fight tartar, choose one labeled “tartar control” or containing fluoride, which strengthens enamel and helps prevent buildup. If you’d prefer a toothpaste without fluoride, you can also try nanohydroxyapatite toothpaste. It offers many of the same benefits as fluoride without any of the concerns.
✔ Look for ingredients like pyrophosphates or zinc citrate. These help break down plaque before it turns into tartar.
✔ Brush at least twice a day for two full minutes using gentle, circular motions.
✔ Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Hard bristles can wear down enamel and irritate the gums.
2. Use Baking Soda for a Natural Clean
Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can help remove plaque and neutralize acid in your mouth. While it won’t break down hardened tartar on its own, it can slow buildup when used regularly.
✔ Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to create a gentle paste. Brush with it 2-3 times a week.
✔ Avoid overuse. Brushing with baking soda too often can wear down enamel. We want to enhance your smile not hurt it.
3. Eat Tartar-Fighting Foods
What you eat plays a major role in preventing plaque and tartar buildup. Certain foods can naturally help scrub your teeth and make maintaining your oral health easier:
✔ Crunchy fruits & vegetables (like apples, carrots, celery) help clean your teeth as you chew.
✔ Cheese and dairy products promote saliva production and strengthen enamel.
✔ Green tea contains natural compounds that fight bacteria and plaque.
Avoid sugary and starchy foods, which fuel plaque bacteria and accelerate tartar formation.
4. Drink More Water Throughout the Day
Saliva is your body’s natural defense against tartar, and staying hydrated keeps saliva production high. Did you know that your saliva has anti-fungal properties and the capability to fight harmful oral bacteria? That’s why it’s critical that you keep your mouth moist. The dryer your mouth, the more opportunities bacteria have to multiply and negatively affect your teeth.
✔ Drink water after meals to wash away food particles and neutralize acid.
✔ Fluoridated water helps protect teeth from decay and mineral loss.
5. Floss Daily to Remove Hidden Plaque
Flossing is crucial for preventing tartar. When plaque is left between the teeth it hardens into tartar in areas your toothbrush can’t always reach. By flossing consistently, you remove the plaque between your teeth BEFORE it has the chance to become tartar.
✔ Floss once or twice a day to remove food particles and plaque from between teeth.
✔ Use gentle, up-and-down motions. Don’t snap the floss, as it can damage gums.
The Best Way to Fight Tartar In Hard To Reach Places? Upgrade Your Flossing Routine.
We’ve already established that flossing is the most effective way to remove plaque before it turns into tartar in hard-to-reach places. However, we understand that traditional flossing can often feel like a hassle. The Slate Flosser is designed to make flossing easier, more effective, and more enjoyable, helping you reduce tartar buildup effortlessly.
🔹 Patent-Pending Gum Sweeps – While you floss, Slate’s unique gum sweeps scrub the sides and pockets between your teeth and massage the gums, promoting circulation and breaking up stubborn plaque.
🔹 Chemical-Free Woven Floss – Unlike traditional floss, Slate’s floss is free from wax, PFAS, and PTFE, so you aren’t exposing your mouth to unnecessary chemicals.
🔹 Reusable Floss Heads – No more snapping or wasting floss. Slate’s floss heads are multi-use and last an entire week.
🔹 Sonic Vibrations for a Deep Clean – With up to 14,000 sonic vibrations per minute, the Slate Flosser gently dislodges plaque in hard-to-reach areas.
🔹 Built-In Triple-Row Tongue Scraper – Helps remove bacteria that cause bad breath, keeping your whole mouth fresher.
If you want to keep tartar at bay without frequent dentist visits, a better flossing routine is the key. The Slate Flosser makes it easy, and once you try it, you’ll never go back to regular floss.
Ready to upgrade your oral care? Take the first step in tartar prevention with the Slate Flosser today!