If you notice early signs of tooth decay, what do you think should be the first thing to do? As for most people, a quick call to the dentist is the answer. More so, some might even think that dental fillings are the only option. What they are not aware of is that tooth decay is reversible. Although getting dental treatment is a solid solution to prevent cavity buildup, did you know other ways to resolve it? You can control harmful bacteria from spreading through simple improvements in your oral hygiene. This article will go over the fundamentals of how to reverse tooth decay. Read more to know alternatives to get rid of cavities along the way.

If you find out that you have emerging cavities, it’s best to make some modifications to your oral care routine. Depending on the extent of the cavity, don’t let your tooth decay progress. You may be capable of sending it on its way and prevent tooth deterioration. You can do so by changing your lifestyle, nutrition, and oral hygiene. The dentists from BDC Chatswood can help prevent your teeth from decaying. Just call up their clinic today.

How To Reverse Tooth Decay

1. Diet Changes

As soon as you notice plaque and cavity, you need to make some changes in your diet. First, it is necessary to reduce your sugar intake. Sugar reacts with acids in your mouth which are responsible for breaking down your tooth enamel. Our tooth enamel is a crucial covering that protects our teeth against attacks by harmful bacteria.

According to the British Medical Journal research, a dietary change can really help in reversing tooth decay. Furthermore, simple dietary changes can be implemented right away, such as:

Increasing your calcium intake by eating more calcium-rich foods. These food groups will help strengthen your teeth and bones.

Avoid carbonated beverages, juices, and other sugar-based drinks. These sugars promote excessive tartar and plaque buildup, which can lead to cavities.

2. Oral Hygiene

You can prevent your teeth against harmful bacteria and repair existing tooth decay. You can include the following steps in your dental care regimen:

Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to get into all the cracks, pockets, and crevices.

Flossing should be done at least once a day. This technique enables deep cleaning and removes any leftover food from behind your gums. Moreover, it inhibits the formation of germs which prevents tooth decay.

Don’t forget to rinse with mouthwash. It has antibacterial qualities and aids in removing any bacteria that may still be present in your mouth.

3. Vitamins and Supplements

Micronutrients are critical for bone health and reducing inflammation. These characteristics prevent cavities or reverse tooth decay. Specific vitamins aid in saliva production, which helps keep harmful bacteria from sticking to your teeth, while specific vitamins strengthen your teeth.

4. Add Probiotics

Because infection-causing bacteria seek refuge in the tiny spaces between the teeth, probiotics can help balance the acidic pH levels. In addition, these meals promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the mouth, which helps reduce plaque accumulation and prevent tooth decay.

5. Acidic Foods

Bacteria can flourish in an environment with an unbalanced pH level. Acidic beverages, such as coffee cause pH imbalances and provide the ideal habitat for pathogenic mouth bacteria to thrive. Green tea contains antioxidants that make it a great alternative to coffee. It inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and improves oral health.

6. Oil Pulling

Have you heard of the oil pulling technique? Oil pulling is thought to have a deep cleaning effect on teeth and moisturizing and antibacterial properties. It involves swishing oil in the mouth for about ten to twenty minutes to decrease plaque accumulation. According to some, a month is enough to see how the technique reduces gingivitis and plaque. However, you mustn’t ingest the oil that you clean your teeth with.

7. Remineralization

Minor signs of tooth decay and dental cavities can be prevented by a procedure known as remineralization. This method involves the application of minerals to damaged regions of a tooth. The fluoride acts in two ways to help remineralize your teeth: internally and externally.

Internal

When you consume modest amounts of fluoride as a kid, it enters your bloodstream and helps you grow strong permanent teeth. Fluoride that is ingested will form part of the saliva in your mouth. As a result, it provides a strengthening treatment for your teeth from the outside.

External

Applying fluoride directly to teeth using fluoride toothpaste or mouth rinse is an excellent method to give your teeth a healthy boost. When administered to the outer layers of the teeth, it aids in remineralization and the restoration of enamel. A professional fluoride therapy from the dental professional is available for both adults and children.

Other Efforts to Prevent Tooth Decay

We all know that deep cleaning assists to properly maintain your enamel. However, there are additional factors that have a role in lowering your risk of tooth decay. Including these anti-cavity measures in your everyday routine will result in a stronger, more attractive smile that is free of cavities.

• Use straws. When drinking a sweet or citrus-based drink such as lemonades, using a straw helps to reduce the amount of liquid that comes into contact with your enamel.
• Keep hydrated. Drinking enough water throughout the day is beneficial to your overall health, but it is especially crucial for your teeth. Water not only increases your natural saliva and wash away dangerous germs and acids. It also prevents dark meals from staining your enamel, making your teeth appear much whiter and healthier.
• Chewing gums. Gums, especially those that are sugar-free gums with Xylitol, will do. These gums help in battling plaque, eliminate cavity-causing bacteria, and promote saliva production.
• Antacids. Antacids can be used to decrease the acidic environment in your gut if you have acid reflux disorder. Acid rinsing bathes the teeth in an acidic liquid, which erodes the teeth and causes sensitivity and deterioration.

Final Thoughts

There are numerous measures that you can take to prevent and reverse tooth decay. However, it is essential to remember that professional care is necessary for an intense cavity. When you have severe tooth decay, no amount of home remedies or procedures will repair the oral concern. In this case, you should get expert help from your dentist as soon as possible. They will fill the cavity and reverse tooth decay and prevent deterioration from progressing.

Nonetheless, checking your at-home oral hygiene regimen to discover where it’s missing is the most distinctive approach to avoid cavities.

References:

https://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5622

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-green-tea

https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/chewing-gum