Tooth decay damages your tooth surface and affects your daily life habits. The white spots on the tooth surface may be a symptom of loss of minerals. It is possible to stop or reverse the decay in this early stage. Enamel can fix the issue by itself if you provide good care and limit sugar and starchy foods.
We can call the process of reversing the small dental cavity formation as remineralization, where the dentists apply deposition of minerals to the damaged areas of the tooth, or you can try natural ways to get rid of that. In this article, we can discuss the process of reversing tooth decay and different reverse tooth decay methods.
Can We Reverse Tooth Decay Naturally?
Yes, we can reverse tooth decay naturally. Generally, plaque builds up comfortably in tooth cracks, pits, grooves, near fillings, and the closest area to the gum line. Not removing the plaque may cause tooth decay and gum infections, destroy the bone supporting the teeth, and lead to tartar formation.
First, we can discuss five different stages of tooth decay that contribute to the development of a cavity.
- Demineralization occurs when the enamel continuously interacts with sugars and starches.
- Enamel decay occurs when the enamel breaks down continuously. You can notice holes (cavities) in your teeth in this stage.
- Dentin decay happens when the decay reaches the dentin. Dentin is the soft tissue present underneath the enamel. You will feel more pain at this stage.
- Pulp decay is the crucial stage of decay that occurs once the cavity reaches the pulp. The pulp is the place that houses the nerves and blood vessels in your tooth. The inflammation will be more extreme once the tooth cavity reaches the pulp.
- Abscesses are the stage in which bacteria inside the cavity spread beneath the pulp and form a pocket of pus. It is a hurtful stage.
Reversing tooth decay naturally is possible only if we find it at the onset stage of the demineralization process. When tooth decay reaches any of the other four phases, it is better to consult a dentist for further treatments.
How Can We Reverse Tooth Decay?
We can reverse tooth day by consulting a dentist, following their instructions, and following these guidelines.
- Maintain oral hygiene and remove plaque on an everyday basis.
- Drink fluoridated tap water. It may work.
- Use oral hygiene products daily that contain fluoride. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste that prevents cavities and remineralizes enamel.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Use sugar-free gum after meals to help remineralize enamel. Xylitol present in gum can stimulate saliva flow.
- Eat foods high in vitamin D and calcium, like yogurt, that help absorb calcium and phosphate.
- Do oil pulling, an ancient practice, with sesame or coconut oil. Swish it in your mouth for about 20 minutes, and then spit it out. Thus, you can reduce the plaque present in the mouth effectively.
Check this list of foods to be away from tooth decay.
- Cut out sugary foods to eliminate the most vital risk factor for cavities. Reduce your sugar intake to less than 10 percent of the total caloric intake for the day. Candies like caramels, lollipops, hard candies, and jelly beans stay in your mouth for a while, and it is harder for your saliva to wash away the sugar content. Avoid cakes, cookies, pies, and other desserts. If it is difficult to avoid entirely, eat them after the main meal, rather than between meals, and brush your teeth if possible.
- Reduce drinking acidic beverages which contain natural or artificial sweeteners. Soft drinks, sugar-free or not, contain acid that leads to cavities and dental erosion. You can drink unsweetened tea or water instead.
- Avoid pickles. Vinegar, an acid, is essential in the pickling process that can cause staining and wear away your teeth enamel.
- White and red wine has erosive acid, capable of softening enamel. The compound called tannins in the red wine dry your mouth and stain your teeth.
- We all know that citrus fruits play a vital role in a well-balanced diet. But what happens when you eat more citric fruits? The citric acid in the fruit affects your tooth enamel, and the enamel becomes vulnerable to cavities. You can use a straw to avoid the direct interaction of juices with the tooth.
Reverse Tooth Decay: When Is It Possible?
We cannot entirely prevent ourselves from tooth decay. But we can take the necessary steps to avoid tooth decay. We can reverse tooth decay only if we find it in the early stages. When you notice traces of tooth decay, don’t rush to the hospital. It is better to treat mild issues in the home rather than consulting a doctor. We need to follow some strict rules to reverse tooth decay. You can avoid unnecessary pain and other complications by following such strict practices.
What Are The Different Ways To Reverse Tooth Decay?
We can reverse tooth decay based on the particular situation. The first way everyone can follow is to treat it naturally. Another method is fluoride treatments.
Fluoride treatments:
Fluoride, a naturally-occurring mineral, can help you build tooth enamel and reverse tooth decay in the early stage. If you are a person with a higher risk for tooth decay or erosion, fluoride treatments benefit you in various ways.
Dentists provide these professional fluoride treatments in the form of a highly concentrated rinse, foam, gel, or varnish. They do this with the help of a swab, brush, tray, or mouthwash. This treatment uses a higher fluoride concentration than what is available in your water or toothpaste.
Generally, dentists only take a few minutes for this fluoride treatment. But they advise you to avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes after the treatment to allow the fluoride to be absorbed fully by your teeth. It is necessary to provide your entire health history to the dentist so they can suggest the right treatments for you.
Benefits of fluoride treatments
Protects enamel
Receiving a fluoride treatment from the dental office can reduce the sensitivity of your teeth. Fluoride can protect the teeth and enamel from acids and bacteria that cause damage. It can also secure the enamel from being broken.
Remineralize teeth
Acids from your foods break down the structure of your teeth by destroying the minerals. Some minerals, like calcium and phosphorus, play a vital role in dental health. Fluoride treatment can prevent tooth decay and reverse tooth damage by adding needed minerals back into your teeth.
Conclusion
The term demineralized enamel means the earliest stage of a cavity where the outer layer of enamel becomes weak and soft, caused by the interaction of acids and plaque biofilm with enamel on an extended basis. It is possible to reverse tooth decay (only before a physical cavity hole ruptures through the surface) depending on the size of the cavity through an updated diet, oral hygiene, and daily habits.