Do it Yourself Plaque Removal

Plaque naturally accumulates on your teeth after meals and snacks, and consists of bacterial microorganisms. For the best dental health, remove plaque on a regular basis, preferably twice a day. The easiest way to remove plaque is by regular brushing and flossing. To keep teeth extra healthy, reduce the amount of sugar you eat, consume a balanced diet and end your meals with natural tooth-cleaning foods, such as apples.

Things You'll Need

• Fluoride toothpaste
• Soft-bristle toothbrush
• Mouthwash
• Disposable cup
• Dental pick
• Plaque-disclosing tablet

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Instructions

• 1

  Brush your teeth using a soft-bristled tooth brush and a fluoride toothpaste. Rub the toothbrush against the surfaces of every tooth and against the gums, gently.

• 2

  Floss your teeth by running a section of floss between each tooth. Move the floss to the right so that it scrapes along the tooth to the right, moving through the gum. Then move the floss to the left so that it scrapes along the left tooth, through the gum. Repeat this process for each tooth.

• 3

  Rinse your mouth with water. Swish the water around your mouth for about 30 seconds and spit it into a sink.

• 4

  Rinse your mouth with mouthwash. Pour several tablespoons of mouthwash into a disposable cup and place it in your mouth. Swish the mouthwash around your teeth for about 30 seconds, gargle and spit the mouthwash out.

• 5

  Examine your teeth using a mirror. Look for any yellow or off-white spots.

• 6

  Scrape the yellow spots off your teeth using a dental pick.

• 7

  Chew on a plaque disclosing tablet and look in the mirror. These tablets stain the plaque red. If you see any red spots, scrape them off with a dental pick. If you see an excess of red spots, brush and rinse again.