Love Your Life. Love Your Smile. And, Save Your Teeth From Cavities!
Before learning about how to get rid of cavities, let’s first understand what causes cavities in the first place?
Dental cavities, also known as caries, are the tiny holes that are found on your teeth surface. Often mouth bacteria cause these cavities out of the sugar. And, the most common bacterium called Streptococcus mutans.
The bacteria thus forms plaque, which removes minerals from your enamel. As a result, the enamel is removed, and you will see tiny holes. A cavity is formed once the layer under the enamel is damaged.
Home remedies for cavities
Often cavities are formed due to the lack of vitamin D. According to the US National Library of Medicine, adding vitamin D to their diets shows a reduction of cavities among kids. To have better results, you can remove grain products from your diet to get the best results as grains can stick to your teeth.
The deficiency of vitamin D makes your teeth more susceptible to cavities. It is not the only reason that can cause cavities, however, as there are several other risk factors for cavities:
- Having dry mouth can result in a reduced amount of saliva in your mouth causing acids from food to create cavities in your teeth
- Eating sticky foods that cling to teeth
- Frequent snacking on drinks and foods like soda, ice cream, and cereals
- Heartburn
- Bedtime infant feeding
- Inadequate cleaning of teeth
Once the cavities penetrated the dentin, you will not be able to get rid of it at home. However, the following are the ways that can help you prevent cavities or avoid them at all before it develops.
Sugar-free gum
Try to chew sugar-free gum after every meal that can help you to remineralize enamel. Sugar-free gum that has xylitol can raise the pH level of plaque, increase saliva flow, and reduce S. mutans. However, an in-depth study is required to prove it.
Vitamin D
According to the US National library of health, there is a negative relationship between the intake of vitamin D and calcium food and cavities. Vitamin D helps you to absorb phosphate and calcium from the food that you eat. Intake of dairy products, including milk and yogurt, decreases the chance of caries in young children.
Another source of vitamin D is the sun, and you can go to the beach and sunbathe.
Use a fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride can play a critical role in remineralizing enamel and preventing cavities. Brushing regularly with a fluoride toothpaste can prevent cavities.
Avoid sugar
The World Health Organization reveals that sugar is one of the significant risk factors for cavities. Reduce sugar intake to less than ten percent of your overall caloric intake to minimize the risk of cavities.
The dentist in Newport Beach advises patients not to snack on sugary foods throughout the day.
Oil pulling
Although it is an ancient practice, this works well. It includes swishing coconut oil or sesame oil in your mouth for around 20 minutes and then spitting it out. It is also claimed that oil pulling removes toxins from the body, but it is not backed by evidence. Also, oil pulling with sesame oil reduces gingivitis, plaque, and bacterial growth as effective as chlorhexidine mouthwash.
Licorice root
According to research extract from Chinese licorice plant destroy bacteria which cause dental cavities.
Consult your dentist
Several dental issues, including cavities, develop without any symptoms or pain. It is essential to consult your dentist in Newport Beach regularly to catch a cavity before it gets worse. An early diagnosis means better, easier treatment.
Even if you get cavities, the doctor may recommend the following treatments:
Fluoride treatment – Your dentist in Newport Beach may recommend professional fluoride treatment that usually contains more fluoride than the mouth rinses and toothpaste that you buy at the store.
Fillings – the filling is recommended when a cavity progresses beyond the enamel.
Crowns – if you have extensive tooth decay, your dentist may recommend placing a crown, which is a custom-fitted covering.
Root canal – a root canal is necessary when the tooth decay reaches the inner layer of your tooth/teeth.
Tooth extraction – As a last resort, your dentist may remove your tooth.
Prevention is better than cure, and it applies in the case of cavities. The methods mentioned above may not help you get rid of cavities entirely, but it will help you prevent the new ones from forming.