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Dental hygiene tips for healthy teeth & gums

Can A Person Get Rid Of Cavities At Home?

The process of destroying tooth enamel results in tooth decay also called dental caries. In general, coronal cavities affect chewing teeth, which is the most common type of cavity. 

Deterioration of the teeth is a severe problem that should not be taken lightly. It is possible for them to cause prominent infections if not treated instantly. 

Cavities are not pleasant, but some preventive measures can be time-consuming or expensive. Hence, patients find ways to treat them at home by themselves. Though there are ways to combat tooth decay at home there is no sure-shot way to treat them or completely get rid of them.

Whether it’s kids or adults, everyone has a high chance of getting cavities if proper oral care is not done. So, in this article, we are going to discuss some preventative measures and tips to stop tooth decay from getting worse. 

Why do cavities happen? 

Small holes appear on teeth’s hard surfaces due to dental caries. These are caused by bacteria that make acid from sugar on the exterior of teeth. The most common culprit of this dental issue is bacteria and less saliva production in the mouth.

Plaque is formed when bacteria adhere to the surface of the teeth. During plaque formation, acids dissolve calcium and phosphate from your enamel, which is the coating on your teeth. 

As a result of this erosion, the enamel develops tiny holes. Acid damage creates cavities under the enamel when it penetrates the dentin. And this is how cavities are formed. 

In addition, there are some studies that suggest that lack of vitamin D is one of the many reasons for a dental cavity. Vitamin D deficiency can increase the likelihood of tooth decay but this is only one aspect of the problem. It can lead to many other issues as well. 

Is getting rid of a cavity possible at home?

As stated before a simple answer to this question is no. This is especially true if decay has penetrated beyond the enamel shell and reached the dentin.

In addition, when the cavity is spread in more than 2-3 teeth bacteria eat more sugars and carbohydrates, which can cause the tooth to break out easily. 

 

And in such conditions, it is not possible to use home remedies to reduce the effect of dental caries. So, it is very vital to consult a dentist if you are suffering from major tooth decay as it is not easy to combat it without the help of a professional oral care provider. 

How to prevent cavities from happening? 

Treating a cavity might not be in your hands but preventing it from happening in the first place is. So here are some tips and solutions for the same which you can include in your dental care routine: 

  • Eat Sugarless Gum: Chewing sugarless gum after eating does not offer the same effectiveness as other methods, but it does offer some benefits. There are two ways in which sugarless gum works. Removing food particles from your teeth through sugarless gum slows down the development of tooth decay and helps get the saliva moving. 
  • Mouth Rinse: After each meal, rinse your mouth with mouthwash. The effectiveness of mouth rinses is almost as high as that of flossing. The effect is not only to reduce the chances of you getting cavities but also to make your breath smell better.
  • Make Flossing a Habit: We know flossing isn’t fun. However, flossing is the most effective method for removing offending food particles and buildup between teeth where the cavity is most likely to form. The more you floss, the less you will have to go to the dentist. To find out which type of floss is best for you, ask your dentist for a sample pack.
  • Visit your dentist often: Don’t wait until a cavity develops to see your dentist. It is possible to end up with bigger problems down the road if you let tooth decay progress. Therefore, it is very vital to visit your dentist at regular intervals to keep your tooth condition on track.