Tooth decay or dental caries and cavities are interconnected, yet they are not precisely identical. Dental caries is a progressive oral condition that begins when food particles' sticky plaque accumulates bacteria. These bacteria produce an acid that erodes your teeth's protective layer, the tooth enamel. As the decay advances, it causes a hole in your enamel, leading to a cavity.
Neglecting this issue can result in severe toothache, infection, and even tooth loss at a young age. However, maintaining good oral hygiene from an early age can inhibit tooth decay and cavities, preserving your smile and the pleasure of eating without dentures!
You can obstruct and even reverse tooth decay and cavities in their initial stage through the following strategies:
- Daily Oral Care: Brush your teeth gently and thoroughly after meals, floss once daily, and rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash to minimize plaque and oral bacteria.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking fresh water prevents your mouth from drying out.
- Chew Sugar-Free Gum: It helps stimulate saliva, a natural cleaner that inhibits bacterial and plaque growth on your teeth.
- Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks: Frequent snacking and sweet beverages can cause plaque and tartar accumulation.
- Eat Fruits and Vegetables: They help stimulate saliva flow.
- Regular Dentist Visits: Have at least an annual visit to your dentist for a check-up. Early detected cavities are less painful to treat.
Dental professionals may also employ the following methods to treat or prevent tooth decay:
- Fluoride Gel Application: This procedure remineralizes your teeth by providing calcium and phosphate, essential minerals for your tooth enamel.
- Dental Sealants: These preventive liquid sealants block bacteria from infiltrating your teeth and protect them from decay and cavities for an extended period.
- Antibacterial Treatments: If you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, your dentist might recommend an antibacterial mouth rinse.
- Cavity Filling or Tooth Removal: If the cavities worsen, the dentist may need to fill the cavity or remove the tooth.
If you prefer natural remedies over fluoride-based products, consider these home solutions:
- Aloe Vera Gel: Research suggests it has an antibacterial effect and may aid in remineralizing the affected enamel.
- Licorice Root: It is antibacterial and may aid in cavity prevention.
- Calcium and Mineral-Rich Foods: Include broccoli, collard greens, dairy, and kale in your diet.
- Limit Phytic Acids: Foods high in phytic acids, such as cereals, legumes, rice, nuts, and wheat, can damage the enamel; clean your teeth immediately after consuming them.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Take supplements like vitamins B and D, iron, and magnesium, which are essential for bone health and inflammation control.
- Saliva-Producing Foods: Foods like bananas, Brussels sprouts, and peas aid in saliva production.
- Natural Probiotics: Foods like kefir, kombucha, pickles, kimchi, certain cheeses, and yogurt can balance your acidic pH.
- Avoid Imbalanced pH Foods: Substitute coffee with green tea, which contains polyphenol, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
As illustrated, you can prevent tooth decay by following these methods and remedies. If cavities already exist, do not hesitate to visit a dentist for treatment. It might be expensive but will spare you much pain and tooth loss.
