The treatment of tooth decay depends on its severity and your particular situation. If tooth decay has just started, fluoride treatment can help restore tooth enamel and can sometimes reverse tooth decay in the earliest stages. This earlier stage of tooth decay can actually be reversed before more permanent damage occurs. This can be achieved by treating teeth with fluoride.
Remember that tooth decay is only reversible when detected in the early stages. Once cavities reach the dentin level, they are irreversible and your dentist will explore treatment options with you, such as fillings, crowns, root canals and extractions. The treatment of tooth decay depends on its severity. A dentist can prescribe fluoride treatments, such as mouthwashes or varnishes, to reverse tooth decay.
Once a tooth has a physical cavity (opening or hole) inside, there is no feasible way to help the enamel grow back on its own. Instead, the cavity will gradually worsen, due to bacterial infection within the tooth structure. There are a few simple things you can do to keep your and your children's teeth and gums healthy and help prevent tooth decay. However, as a tooth is exposed to acids produced by plaque bacteria, the enamel begins to lose these minerals.
If decay is left untreated, it will continue to progress and destroy more of the tooth’s structure. This will eventually cause pain, tooth loss and other serious dental issues.
Decay is caused by bacteria that collect on the teeth’s outer surface, called enamel. These bacteria produce acids that eat away at the minerals that make up the enamel.
1. Brush and Floss Daily
Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the most important things you can do to keep your mouth healthy. It removes plaque and bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath.
The best way to do this is by using a toothbrush that has soft bristles and is specifically designed for brushing teeth. You should also use toothpaste that has fluoride in it to help keep your teeth healthy.
Flossing your teeth daily is also an essential part of good oral hygiene. This prevents food and bacteria from getting stuck in between your teeth, where a toothbrush can’t get to.
Flossing your teeth can also prevent gum disease. Flossing is particularly helpful for pregnant women, as it can decrease their risk of having a premature birth or low birth weight.
2. See Your Dentist Regularly
One of the most important ways to prevent tooth decay is to see your dentist regularly. This is because they can spot early signs of oral health problems and take care of them before they become more serious.
They can also educate you on how to best keep your teeth and gums healthy at home. Ultimately, this can save you money on expensive dental procedures in the future.
Another reason to see your dentist frequently is that they can spot issues such as gapped teeth before they cause tooth decay and other health problems. They can even repair gaps to make it less likely that you will have a tooth decay problem in the future.
In addition, they can detect and screen for cancerous growths in your mouth. These screenings can have a significant impact on your overall health and increase your lifespan!
3. Change Your Diet
It may seem counterintuitive, but changing your diet is a key part of preventing and healing tooth decay. According to Ramiel Nagel, author of Cure Tooth Decay, a low-sugar, high-protein diet can help rebuild your teeth’s enamel and strengthen them against decay.
A healthy diet can also reduce your risk of gum disease and other oral health problems. In addition to a balanced diet, make sure that you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day, as well as using an alcohol-free mouthwash that contains fluoride.
You can also improve your oral health by eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, calcium-rich bone broths, fermented grains, and low-sugar or no-sugar dairy products. These foods contain micronutrients that keep inflammation in check, helping your body to heal itself and prevent cavities.
A proper dental hygiene routine and a regular dentist visit are the best ways to avoid tooth decay. However, if you do develop decay, timely treatment is necessary to stop it from worsening and to reverse any damage it may have already caused.
4. Use Mouthwash
Tooth decay is a common problem that affects everyone at some stage of their lives. It's entirely preventable, and the best way to keep your smile bright is through regular dental visits and good oral hygiene habits.
Bacteria feed on sugars and starches found in food and drink and convert them into acid that eats away at the hard outer surface of your teeth. This acid can eventually break down and dissolve the enamel, leading to holes (cavities) in your tooth.
Fluoride-based mouthwashes help to strengthen the enamel and protect it from further acid attacks. They also kill germs that can live in your mouth, which is great for overall oral health.
If tooth decay has reached the soft tissue (pulp) in the center of the tooth, you may need endodontic treatment. Whether you're looking for a remedy that you can prepare at home or want to avoid using pain relievers, there are several home remedies for toothache. The important thing is that tooth decay is addressed as soon as it's noticed, so visiting the dentist regularly is a good idea. Here's a quick overview of how a tooth is treated after decay occurs, including what a repair might look like.
Harmful bacteria are involved in the tooth decay process, as they promote the production of acids that corrode tooth enamel. To restore minerals and stop or reverse cavities, you should regularly brush and floss your teeth and frequently expose your teeth to fluoride to help them get stronger again. Tooth decay is common in children, so it's important to make sure they care for their teeth and gums from an early age. Younger children should use a children's toothpaste, but be sure to read the label on how to use it.
The types of cells that make up teeth don't grow back or repair themselves once the tooth is fully developed. Establishing good eating habits by limiting sugary snacks and beverages can help your child avoid tooth decay. Tooth decay is often caused by eating too many sugary foods and drinks and by not cleaning your teeth and gums. Some of the popular “I Reversed My Dental Caries” websites don't explain the damaged state the tooth was in (with digital x-rays to show it) before its teeth suddenly healed.
