📅 Published: March 30, 2025

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Smile Therapy Research Team
March 2025

🦷Everything you need to know about plaque removal

We all know that maintaining a consistent and thorough oral hygiene routine is essential for healthy teeth and gums. However, if your oral hygiene routine isn't up to scratch, one of the first things you'll start to notice is a build-up of plaque on your teeth, particularly between your teeth and along your gum line..

🕐 3 minutes reading time

What is Plaque?

When bacteria in the mouth are allowed to thrive and combine with saliva, fluids and food debris, plaque is formed. Plaque is a pale yellow or colourless sticky film which tends to collect between our teeth and along the gum line.

Early signs of plaque buildup can include:

A fuzzy or filmy feeling on your teeth after eating

Bad breath that persists even after brushing

Bleeding gums when flossing or brushing

Yellowish buildup along the gum line

Although producing plaque is a very normal bodily function, when it's left to build up over time, it can cause a range of problems, including staining, cavities and gum disease. It can also harden and transform into tartar, which generally can't be brushed away and will usually need to be removed by your hygienist or dentist.

How do I know if I've got plaque?

If your teeth feel and/or look almost fuzzy in texture, then the chances are you've got plaque. If you're concerned, making an appointment with your dentist is a good idea as they can check the overall health of your mouth and determine whether you would benefit from treatment.

How can I Reduce Plaque?

Brush Regularly

Brushing your teeth at least twice per day for two minutes at a time will help to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Use Proper Technique

With a proper technique, both manual and electric toothbrushes are effective — just make sure that you're using a soft-bristled head and a high quality toothpaste.

Floss Before Brushing

It's also important to floss your teeth every day to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth. We recommend flossing before brushing, as studies have shown that more plaque is removed this way.

📊The Data Behind Better Smiles

68%

of adults in the UK admit they don’t floss regularly.

It’s no wonder searches for “best water flosser”, “best teeth flosser”, and “best oral irrigator UK” are climbing year over year.

4 in 5

people say they’d feel more confident with whiter teeth.

That explains the surge in searches like “best way to get white teeth”, “best teeth whitening products UK”, and “what actually works for whitening”.

over 60%

of plaque can remain even after brushing with a manual toothbrush.

No surprise that tools like the “best ultrasonic plaque remover” and “best electric toothbrush for tartar removal” are trending in home dental care.

How to choose effective plaque removal tools?

There are a number of tools available that can improve the overall effectiveness of your oral hygiene routine and help you to prevent plaque from building up on your teeth.

Electric toothbrush

Brushing your teeth at least twice per day is essential for plaque removal, and many people find that electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing food debris and other bacteria from teeth and gums. The 6-in-1 Sonic Electric Toothbrush from Smile Therapy has a range of unique cleaning modes to effortlessly clean away food, bacteria and plaque.

If you're looking for a sleeker toothbrush, the Air Advanced Electric Toothbrush 3-in-1 from Smile Therapy has more than 4,000 bristles for precise brushing and advanced vibration technology, which can remove stains, plaque and more stubborn calculus.

Water flosser

As flossing is one of the most effective plaque removal techniques, you may want to consider switching from traditional dental floss to a water flosser.

The Dental Wireless 5-in-1 Water Flosser Pro has been clinically proven to be more than 60% more effective than traditional dental floss and can therefore be a beneficial tool to prevent harmful build up between your teeth.

Ultrasonic Tooth Cleaner

If you're looking for a tool that will take your oral hygiene routine up to the next level, Smile Therapy's Ultrasonic Tooth Cleaner utilises advanced vibration technology to expertly remove plaque, stains and tartar.

Alternatively, the Ultrasonic Tooth Cleaner Pro has a selection of interchangeable heads to remove 99.99% of food residue and instantly remove plaque from even the hard to reach areas of the mouth.

Introducing Smile Therapy Tools

When it comes to plauqe removal, most routines focus on brushing and hoping for the best. But what if a few smart tools could actually make a visible difference — all from the comfort of your home?

That’s exactly what Smile Therapy set out to solve.

best products for Plaque Removal

6 in 1 Sonic Electric Toothbrush

£24.99

£49.99

Ultrasonic Tooth Cleaner

£24.99

£49.99

Water Flosser Pro DP1

£34.99

£69.99

💭 Smiles Don’t Lie: What Users Say

"I was shocked at the results I got with it the first time I used it. It really does work; I didn't think it could possibly work very well for that kind of money...but it do!" - Ultrasonic Tooth Cleaner

"I was shocked at the junk i saw in my teeth come out instantly on a medium setting - i can't believe I was using string floss over this! I've already told my friends about it and they're getting one" - Water Flosser Pro

"This is easy to use and even after 10 minutes I could feel the difference. Much easier and less stressful than the hygienist. I highly recommend it. I've now ordered one for my partner." - Sonic Electric Toothbrush

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the most common things people ask about Smile Therapy tools — from how they work to who they’re best for. Discover what is the best teeth whitening method.

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What’s the best way to remove plaque from between teeth?

The most effective way to remove plaque between teeth is by using a water flosser or interdental cleaner. Water flossers like Smile Therapy’s target hard-to-reach spots with pressurized streams, breaking down plaque and food particles better than string floss — especially when used daily alongside a sonic toothbrush.

What is the fastest way to whiten your teeth?

The fastest way to whiten your teeth at home is by using a combination of ultrasonic plaque removers to lift surface stains, followed by a peroxide-based whitening pen or gel. This dual approach helps remove buildup and brighten enamel — with many users seeing visible results in as little as one week.

What’s the best flosser water device right now?

Smile Therapy’s cordless water flosser ranks as one of the best for portability, gum safety, and ease of use — making it perfect for daily at-home care.

What is the best electric toothbrush to buy?

Look for sonic or ultrasonic toothbrushes with high-frequency vibration. Smile Therapy’s electric toothbrush offers up to 12,000 vibrations per minute for a deeper clean.

What is the best at home teeth whitening?

The best at-home teeth whitening combines safe, enamel-friendly ingredients like PAP or low-dose peroxide with tools that enhance penetration — such as LED lights or ultrasonic cleaning. Smile Therapy’s whitening pen and ultrasonic cleaner work together to gently lift stains and brighten teeth, making it one of the most effective and affordable whitening solutions available in the UK.

Ready to Fight Plaque?

You’ve seen the research, explored the tools — now it’s your turn to take action. With the right at-home routine, you can break down plaque, prevent tartar buildup, and enjoy a cleaner, healthier smile every day. No dentist visit required.

🦷 Show Me the Best Tools

Explore the best way to get white teeth