Tooth decay is what is responsible for cavities forming in your teeth. And, many patients assume that if they have a cavity developing, that the tooth that has the cavity is a lost cause. After all, it is pretty common knowledge that when someone has a cavity or small hole in their tooth that the patient gets a dental filling. But, what isn’t common knowledge is that small dental cavities can be reversed by a process called remineralization. This is when lost minerals in the tooth are replaced by fluoride. Further, there are plenty of ways to reverse tooth decay so that your teeth remain cavity free. Take a look at our list of ways you can reverse tooth decay.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride can remineralize teeth in two specific ways, both internally and externally. It is actually a mineral that can prevent tooth decay from spreading and getting worse. It has been known to even reverse the tooth decay in early stages. Fluoride hinders the ability of bacteria in your mouth to make acid.
To use fluoride to treat tooth decay internally, it would have to be swallowed. Certain types of drinking water is treated with fluoride. When you ingest fluoride it enters the bloodstream and helps a patient develop stronger teeth. If your drinking water has not been treated with fluoride, you can add fluoride tablets that dissolve in h20.
To use fluoride externally, consider using a mouthwash or toothpaste treated with fluoride. Also, both adults and children can get a professional fluoride treatment that is applied to the exterior of the teeth. This rebuilds the enamel of the tooth.
Sugar Free Gum
Chewing sugar free gum after meals has been proven to reduce the levels of bacteria that can damage tooth enamel. Having less of this harmful bacteria, and stronger enamel makes teeth less likely to suffer from harmful tooth decay.
Aloe Vera
A frequent suggestion to cut back on tooth decay is to use aloe vera tooth gel. It has been suggested that it can help remineralize the enamel of teeth, not unlike fluoride. Aloe vera gel has an antibacterial effect that can help reduce tooth decay.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is a technique used in an ancient health system called Ayurveda. Coconut, sesame, or even cultured oil is used to swish around in the mouth for a certain period of time, and then it is spit out when done. Research does indicate that oil pulling can improve the enamel of teeth. In fact, a study showed that oil pulling reduced the amount of plaque in the mouth, and to the same extent as fluoride mouthwash.
Vitamin D Supplements
Vitamin D supplements are also proven to reduce plaque on teeth. Vitamin D may also help remineralize teeth and strengthen the enamel, making it an option for reversing tooth decay.
Avoid Phytic Acid and Sugary Food and Drinks
Most of the public is aware that sugar is a leading cause in tooth decay and cavities. Cut down or avoid food and drinks with a lot of sugar. Other foods that can harm your teeth include acidic fruits, coffee, red wine, and tea. If you do indulge, make sure to brush and floss after. Because, what these types of foods and beverages do is erode the enamel of your teeth. This makes your teeth weaker to bacteria that causes cavities.
Also try to avoid phytic acid, which is found in beans and cereals. Although not proven, it has suggested that phytic acid affects the mineral absorption from your food. Therefore, it is suggested to try to avoid it for better oral health.
Phytic acid is found in rice, maize, rye, kidney beans, wheat, pinto beans, and navy beans.
How to Maintain Good Oral Health
While it is possible to reverse tooth decay, the goal should be to maintain that reversal. In order to maintain good oral health, visit your dentist twice a year for routine dental care. Brush and floss twice daily, in the morning and right before bed. Make sure to brush your teeth properly, because doing a poor job of brushing does not help keep plaque away. Remember to take your time brushing, do so in a gentle manner, moving your toothbrush in circles over your teeth to remove plaque. Also, plaque can build up on your tongue as well. So, try not to neglect your tongue, as this can lead to bad breath and other oral hygiene issues. Try to gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth.
For more information, contact a professional dentist at Parkview Dentistry.