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Best Toothpaste for Plaque Removal

Author

Michael Hansford

Published

August 1, 2025

Toothpaste is the foundation of your oral health hygiene, and you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best toothpaste for plaque removal.

Plaque is a bacterial biofilm that forms on your teeth. You probably know it more as that fuzzy feeling you hate, or those yellowish deposits near the gumline. It can eventually turn into tartar, which is even more difficult to remove.

We’ve compiled this list to help you find the best toothpaste to remove plaque and tartar. Thousands of dentists recommend LIVFRESH’s plaque removal toothpaste, but we’ll help you weigh all your options below.

Quick Look at the Best Toothpaste for Plaque Removal

Plaque Removal Toothpaste	Active Ingredients	Best For
LIVFRESH Plaque Removal Toothpaste	Activated Edathamil	Maximizing plaque removal & preventing buildup
TartarEnd Tartar Removal Toothpaste	Proprietary chelating blend	Reducing visible tartar over time
Colgate Plaque Pro Release Fresh Whitening	Stannous fluoride	Plaque control with whitening support
IZKUT Plaque & Tartar Remover Toothpaste	Fluoride + surfactants	Basic plaque removal & fresh breath
Arm & Hammer Peroxicare Toothpaste for Gum Health	Baking soda + hydrogen peroxide	Surface cleaning & gum health support

What are Plaque and Tartar?

Plaque is a soft, sticky film made up of bacteria, food particles, and saliva that constantly forms on your teeth. It starts building up within hours of brushing and thrives in areas you might miss - especially along the gumline and between teeth. The bacteria in plaque feed on sugars in your diet and release acids that wear away enamel and irritate the gums.

That’s what leads to problems like tooth decay, bleeding gums, and bad breath. But if you don’t brush quickly, plaque turns into tartar. That creates a whole other problem.

Plaque is actually pretty easy to remove with daily brushing (and the best toothpaste for plaque removal, of course). But no amount of brushing will loosen tartar.

Tartar bonds tightly to enamel and creates a rough surface that traps even more plaque, creating a snowball effect that compromises your oral health. It also creeps below the gumline where it can cause even more problems, deepening the pockets around your teeth.

Signs You’re Dealing With Plaque or Tartar

Your teeth feel fuzzy even after brushing
Your gums bleed when you floss
You feel sensitive to hot and cold
You see visible yellow or brown deposits near the gumline
Your breath is bad for no reason
Your dentist flat-out tells you that you have a plaque/tartar problem

Common Ingredients in Plaque Removal Toothpaste

The best toothpaste for plaque removal is going to have at least one of these ingredients:

Fluoride

The most common ingredient in anti-plaque toothpastes. It strengthens enamel and helps slow early decay by making the surface more resistant to acid attacks. It doesn’t remove plaque on its own, but it supports teeth while you work on clearing the buildup that causes irritation.

Abrasives

Hydrated silica, calcium carbonate, and baking soda lift surface stains and scrub away soft plaque. They help with daily cleaning, but be aware that gritty formulas can be uncomfortable on sensitive teeth/gums.

Activated Edathamil

The patented ingredient in LIVFRESH, which dentists and real users say is the best plaque removal toothpaste. It breaks the chemical bond between plaque and enamel so that plaque comes away effortlessly during brushing. Altering the surface charge of teeth prevents plaque from sticking going forward, too. It’s the only ingredient that directly targets plaque adhesion.

Other Ingredients

Zinc compounds and essential oils add antibacterial support. Their role is to reduce plaque activity, freshen breath, and help keep the gumline cleaner between brushes.

What is the Best Toothpaste for Plaque Removal?

So, what is the best toothpaste for plaque removal?

LIVFRESH Plaque Removal Toothpaste

LIVFRESH’s proprietary Activated Edathamil breaks the molecular bond between plaque and your enamel, dissolving buildup and preventing it from reattaching.

Clinical trials showed 250% more plaque removed than a leading ADA-accepted toothpaste. This also came with a 190% improvement in gum health. All without harsh abrasives, SLS, triclosan, and artificial preservatives. Every ingredient is 100% edible.

This is the best toothpaste for plaque removal, but also for plaque prevention. Try this gel toothpaste risk-free for 30 days.

TartarEnd Tartar Removal Toothpaste

Free of sulfates, artificial colors, and fluoride, and it’s specifically marketed to those with bleeding gums and deep gum pockets.

We don’t see any ingredients that can loosen tartar, but anecdotal reports from users and hygienists suggest it may help reduce visible tartar.

TartarEnd is stored refrigerated before use, has a somewhat unusual consistency, and is best used with a specific sonic toothbrush setup.

Colgate Plaque Pro Release Fresh Whitening Toothpaste

Broad protection with stannous fluoride, which helps reduce plaque, prevent cavities, and fight sensitivity. The “Smart Foam” formula helps reach tricky spots along the gumline, too.

The ingredient list has SLS, PEGs, artificial dyes (Blue 1), and multiple chemical stabilizers - these may cause more harm than good for sensitive users.

IZKUT Plaque & Tartar Remover Toothpaste

An affordable plaque and tartar remover with breath freshening and gum care. May reduce buildup and support enamel using a mix of common antibacterial and foaming agents. There’s no clinical data supporting its plaque removal claims, though.

Mint flavoring, surfactants, and other cosmetic ingredients can make your mouth feel clean, but that doesn't guarantee real plaque disruption or protection against tartar.

Arm & Hammer Peroxicare Toothpaste for Gum Health

A combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide helps neutralize acids, remove bacteria, and gently clean without damaging enamel. It’s one of the few low-abrasion formulas with noticeable whitening and gum support.

Customers say it helps reduce redness and bleeding, and baking soda is among the most well-researched ingredients in dental care. It still uses SLS, artificial flavoring, and a standard fluoride base, which may be too harsh for users with sensitivities or gum issues.

How to Choose the Best Plaque-Removing Toothpaste

There you have it, the best toothpaste to remove plaque and tartar! Here are some things to consider as you narrow it down to YOUR ideal formula.

Tailoring the Formula to Your Situation

If sensitivity isn’t a concern, you’ll have a bit more flexibility in what you choose as the best toothpaste for plaque removal.

But, those with a history of sensitivity might want to skip abrasive formulas or anything with SLS, a foaming agent that can cause irritation. The same goes for those who have had gum surgery, are managing autoimmune conditions, or just want a gentler daily option.

Clinical Studies

Claims are easy. Data is harder. So many brands claiming to sell the best toothpaste to remove plaque and tartar aren’t rooting their claims in any meaningful data.

Stick with brands you can trust - those that cite independent, peer-reviewed research or conduct double-blind studies. These are companies that aren’t here to cut corners and make a quick buck, they’re truly invested in creating the best plaque-removing toothpaste.

The Taste Test

Taste should come secondary to actual results. But you might not use your toothpaste consistently enough if it tastes too strong, gritty, or artificial, and consistency is key when staying on top of plaque buildup. Look for something that feels clean, not harsh.

Real User Reviews

If actual users have had success using a toothpaste to get control of plaque, it’s probably safe to say there’s something to it. Look for specific outcomes being mentioned - less gum bleeding, smoother teeth, better dental checkups.

Making the Most of Plaque Removal Toothpaste

Brushing technique matters as much as the toothpaste you choose. Angle the bristles toward the gumline and use short, steady strokes - this is where plaque settles first.

Spend extra time on the backs of lower front teeth and around molars, where buildup hardens fastest. Give the toothpaste a full two minutes to work, and don’t rush the rinse.

Pair your brushing with daily flossing so the toothpaste can reach freshly cleaned contacts. If your mouth feels rough by midday, add a quick brush or water rinse to keep plaque from thickening again. Consider a plaque removal mouthwash while you’re at it.

Parting Thoughts on the Best Toothpaste to Remove Plaque and Tartar

Plaque and tartar are the starting point for bigger oral health issues. Few toothpastes go beyond surface-level cleaning, but we’ve introduced the best toothpaste for plaque removal in this guide.

LIVFRESH breaks down plaque at the molecular level, improves gum health, and keeps buildup from coming back - all without harsh ingredients. Backed by science, trusted by dentists, and easy to use every day. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, what do you have to lose?