“Are home plaque removers safe?”

I am not exactly sure what a home plaque remover is, but if it is a do-it-yourself dental instrument, the answer is no. It may be “safe,” but it would totally be ineffective. Even as a dentist, I am unable to look in the mirror and clean my own teeth! Go to the dentist and have a trained dental hygienist clean your teeth. He/she has years of training. If you want to keep your car, you frequently change the oil. If you want to keep your teeth, get them cleaned at least twice per year.

Drew Shulman DMD, MAGD

The best way to remove plaque at home is brushing and flossing. An easier way is to use a waterpik and a sonicare toothbrush. Plaque and tartar are different. You cannot remove tartar effectively by yourself at home.

Alan B. Steiner, DMD

The only home plaque removers that are safe are toothbrushes (electric included) and floss. The only way for them to be effective is to use them on a daily basis, several times a day. Anything else that claims to remove hardened plaque at home is a scam. Hardened plaque, or tarter, can only be safely removed by a Dental Hygienist. Beware of anything that claims otherwise and is not endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA).

The issue is not safety. They would not be available if they were unsafe. The issue is the only really effective plaque remover is your toothbrush.