7 Household Products That Can Help Reduce Plaque on Teeth

All of us have been there. Whether you understand what dental plaque is or not, if you want to keep your teeth and mouth healthy, it is vital to maintain good dental hygiene. Are you visiting your dentist at least twice a year for a routine dental cleaning?

What is Plaque and what does it do?

Dental plaque is a colorless film of bacteria that begins to form on teeth from left-over food particles. It can coat and stain teeth and even cause tooth decay and gum disease. If plaque is left on the teeth for too long, it will harden into tartar, making it much more difficult to remove. Only a dentist can effectively remove all of this substance that commonly and consistently wraps around our teeth.

Thankfully, there are simple household items we can use with a little bit of effort to help reduce plaque growth in-between dental cleaning visits. The following household products and food items can help you curb plaque build-up. They are not expensive and some of them may already be on your grocery list.

1 - Aloe Vera Gel / Toothpaste

Aloe Vera has both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Using aloe vera toothpaste controls harmful bacteria. Place a dab of the aloe vera gel or toothpaste on a toothbrush and brush your teeth. This gel reduces inflammation, heals gums, and reduces plaque.

Wet your toothbrush, dip it in baking soda, coating the bristles with a thick layer, then brush your teeth. You should concentrate on the gum lines. This acts as a gentle abrasive neutralizing acidic bacterial waste. It also deodorizes your breath and polishes the teeth.

3 – Black Tea

Do you love tea? Make sure the next time you brew up a batch that you use black tea. Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, discovered that black tea inhibits the bacteria that cause plaque and, thus, black tea acts as a natural fluoride. Tea also behaves as a mouthwash.

4 - Hydrogen Peroxide

Make a solution of equal parts of hydrogen peroxide (3 percent solution) and water. Then, rinse with it for thirty seconds to inhibit bacteria. Be sure not to swallow the solution. Spit it out and rinse your mouth with water.

5 – Tongue Scraper

Scraping your tongue several times from back to front will remove a bunch of the bacteria and toxins living in your mouth. As the bacteria gets removed, bad breath is reduced. As a bonus, using a tongue scraper will improve the appearance of your tongue and your sense of taste.

6 - Vegemite

As explained by Wikipedia, “Vegemite is a thick, dark brown Australian food spread made from leftover brewers' yeast extract with various vegetable and spice additives.” It has become an increasingly popular sandwich spread and its texture is thick and sticky. As a result, it behaves as a mild abrasive that diminishes plaque.

According to the Dow Institute of Dental Studies at the University of Iowa, eating a little less than an ounce of cheese (about 5 grams) before meals eliminates the acid production of plaque because it helps balance the pH level inside your mouth.

Fun Facts

• In ancient Egypt, Egyptians brushed their teeth with a “chew stick.” It was a twig with a frayed, soft end that was rubber. The Egyptians also invented dental floss by using thread.

• In 1948, the Chinese created their first bristled toothbrush. It was made from bristles plucked from the backs of hogs' necks and fastened to bamboo or bone handles.