How to Get Rid of Plaque Without Going to the Dentist

Plaque is made up of germs that stick to teeth. If they aren't removed daily, they can quickly multiply and lead to gingivitis and other oral diseases, according to the American Dental Association's website. Tooth decay caused by plaque affects more than 90 percent of adults in the United States. Maintaining a regular routine of good oral health care by brushing, flossing and eating a balanced diet, however, can help to prevent plaque, tooth decay, cavities and gum disease and contribute to overall good health without seeing a dentist.

Things You'll Need

• Dental floss
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
• Toothpaste with fluoride
• Plaque-disclosing tablets

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Instructions

• 1

  Floss between your teeth daily. Cut an 18-inch piece of dental floss, and wrap it around the index fingers on each of your hands, leaving about a 1-inch section of floss between your index fingers. Gently ease a small section of floss between two teeth and ease the floss up and down to remove food particles between the teeth. Use a new section of floss for each pair of teeth.

• 2

  Brush your teeth and tongue daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. Using small circular motions and short back-and-forth motions, brush for at least two minutes twice per day. Brush the sides of your teeth as well as their chewing surface and your tongue.

• 3

  Chew a plaque-disclosing tablet. Let it mix with the saliva in your mouth and swish it around for 30 seconds before spitting it out. Dyed areas the tablet leaves on teeth are trouble spots to focus on when you brush and floss.

• 4

  Maintain a healthy diet. Eat a balanced diet, and limit the number of between-meal snacks you consume. If you need a snack, eat nutritious foods such as plain yogurt, cheese, fruit and raw vegetables. Some vegetables, such as celery, help to remove food from teeth, which helps to prevent plaque.