# Self-dentistry - removing plaque build-up **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 27, 2008, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-dentistry-removing-plaque-build-up/450772 "2008-05-27T16:08:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![unspun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b9bd4f/32.png) [@unspun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unspun)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-dentistry-removing-plaque-build-up/450772/1 "2008-05-27T16:08:09Z")
I have a problem with my bottom 4 front teeth - there is always plaque build-up at the back (tongue side). I few weeks ago while flossing a relatively large chunk of build-up loosened, and using a fingernail I was able to scrape off a bit more. It gave me an idea though, could I use any suitable sort of flat pointed surface to scrape it myself? How different would it be from a dentist doing it (aside from being a little harder to see)? I don’t have any other dental problems and hate dentists. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-dentistry-removing-plaque-build-up/450772/2 "2008-05-27T16:38:35Z")
IANAD It sounds like tarter, not plaque - plaque will just brush off in the usual way. You could try switching to a tarter control toothpaste - that might help reduce the build up a little - however, it sounds like you need a dental cleaning. There’s no dentist anywhere that would recommend trying to pry tarter off your teeth yourself - you could injure your gums in a big, bad way. I suppose you could grab just about anything and start poking at your gums (unfolded paperclip, tweezers, letter opener) but it’s probably not a very good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Thinks2Much](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@Thinks2Much](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thinks2Much)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-dentistry-removing-plaque-build-up/450772/3 "2008-05-27T16:59:11Z")
They sell dental picks at any drug store - Walgreens, CVS, whatever. I have one that is a handy [keychain](http://www.homesteadmarket.com/dental_tools.html#traveler_plaque_remover_twin) sort of dealy. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-dentistry-removing-plaque-build-up/450772/4 "2008-05-27T17:07:53Z")
[QUOTE=alice\_in\_wonderland] IANAD It sounds like tarter, not plaque - plaque will just brush off in the usual way. You could try switching to a tarter control toothpaste - that might help reduce the build up a little - however, it sounds like you need a dental cleaning. There’s no dentist anywhere that would recommend trying to pry tarter off your teeth yourself - you could injure your gums in a big, bad way. I suppose you could grab just about anything and start poking at your gums (unfolded paperclip, tweezers, letter opener) but it’s probably not a very good idea. [/QUOTE] Odd, I always thought tartar turned into plaque, but it turns out it’s the other way around. ---
**Author:** ![Emily\_Litella](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emily_litella/32/3370_2.png) [@Emily\_Litella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emily_Litella)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-dentistry-removing-plaque-build-up/450772/5 "2008-05-27T17:56:15Z")
Take it from someone who just had dental surgery on their gums - get over your fear/hatred of the dentist, or find a better dentist and go get your teeth cleaned. Go regularly. Floss everyday. Brush 3 times a day (if practical?). Use tarter protection toothpaste and mouthwash. Learn from my hindsight, it’s better in the long run to take care of your teeth properly. ``` "Ignore your teeth and they'll go away" ``` ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-dentistry-removing-plaque-build-up/450772/6 "2008-05-27T18:08:43Z")
Find a good dentist and go. If you’re getting that kind of tartar buildup on flat tooth surfaces, your gums probably need attention. I get the same kind of buildup between those front teeth. I can remove it with dental floss, so you don’t need something really hard to do it. Seems like it’d be less likely to damage your teeth & gums with plastic than metal. Just a thought. My dentist recommended a SonicCare toothbrush. I find that the tartar pops off much more easily (and doesn’t build up as much) when I use that. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-dentistry-removing-plaque-build-up/450772/7 "2008-05-27T20:36:24Z")
I use a steel dental pick I got at the drug store. There’s no reason not to do it yourself. It’s not rocket science. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-dentistry-removing-plaque-build-up/450772/8 "2008-05-27T20:41:16Z")
I also have a set of dental pics that I bought for detail work in modeling. I have been known to give myself a between cleanings touchup. Given the possibility of damage to teeth/gums I’m not going to go on record as recommending that you do so, I’ll just say that I have myself. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-dentistry-removing-plaque-build-up/450772/9 "2008-05-27T21:45:40Z")
Sometimes I use a pushpin, but I’m VERY careful and don’t go near my gums. I just scrape between the teeth moving from gumline to tooth edge. It’s not for everyone. 😉 I don’t need to now that I go to the dentist regularly. The dental hygienist does a much better job! ---
**Author:** ![unspun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b9bd4f/32.png) [@unspun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unspun)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-dentistry-removing-plaque-build-up/450772/10 "2008-05-27T22:05:46Z")
tartar, not plaque… lol okay learned something. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-dentistry-removing-plaque-build-up/450772/11 "2008-05-28T03:07:51Z")
[QUOTE=Thinks2Much] They sell dental picks at any drug store - Walgreens, CVS, whatever. I have one that is a handy [keychain](http://www.homesteadmarket.com/dental_tools.html#traveler_plaque_remover_twin) sort of dealy. [/QUOTE] The Brushpicks on that page are wonderful, by the way. My dental hygienist thinks so, too. I have some bridgework, and I find that cleaning between the bridge and gum is easier with the brushpicks than with the floss and loop tool. ---
**Author:** ![lizardling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@lizardling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lizardling)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-dentistry-removing-plaque-build-up/450772/12 "2008-05-28T03:59:30Z")
[QUOTE=Lynn Bodoni] The Brushpicks on that page are wonderful, by the way. My dental hygienist thinks so, too. I have some bridgework, and I find that cleaning between the bridge and gum is easier with the brushpicks than with the floss and loop tool. [/QUOTE] Ooo. I’ll have to try that – I have a permanent wire welded behind my bottom front teeth, which is often a problem spot. Go to the dentist, dude. I didn’t go for almost eight years. And when I did, they informed me that my gums were in a bad way. I got the full court press with plenty of novocaine (my hygenist is a blessing), plus quarterly cleanings to make sure my gums are recovering and stay that way. I have invested in a sonicare toothbrush since. :eek: