Tooth decay, caries or dental cavities refer to tiny holes on teeth surface. It takes place because of the bacteria Streptococcus mutans on teeth surface making acid from sugar.
Then it makes a sticky film on the teeth commonly called plaque. It removes the minerals from enamel demineralising the teeth. Enamel is the outermost and hardest teeth coating made of phosphate and calcium. As a result, the erosion will form tiny holes in enamel. After that it spreads to dentin (beneath the enamel) and reaches to pulp for form the cavity.
Here, we sum up some effective home remedies for treating cavities at home. Read on to know them.
Treat your cavities at home
Mostly cavities take place due to deficiency of Vitamin D. The kids who have correct portion of vitamin D daily show alleviation in cavities. Those who consume grain products along vitamin D can get the best result as grain sticks to the teeth always.
Lack of vitamin D makes the teeth prone to cavities. However, there are other risk factors too and they are in the following:
- Bedtime infant feeding
- Improper teeth cleaning
- Heartburn
- Frequent snacking on the sugary items like ice cream, cereals and soda
- Having foods cling to the teeth such as sticky foods and candy
- Any medical condition which reduces saliva production in mouth and dry mouth
If a cavity seeps to dentin then it is not possible to treat at home. However, here are some home remedies which can treat pre-cavities or prevent cavities by remineralising the weak areas of the enamel before its development:
- Sugarless gum
Chewing on sugarless gum post meal promotes remineralisation of the enamel. You should choose the gum with xylitol as it possesses the ability for stimulation of saliva secretion. Hence, it increases the pH of plaque and alleviates S. mutans.
Sugarless gums have casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) compound that minimises the level of S. mutans. These are highly effective than xylitol-containing gums.
- Vitamin D
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in absorption of phosphate and calcium from the food. A study also shows inverse relationship between calcium-rich and vitamin D-rich foods with cavities in youngsters. Whereas you can get calcium from yogurt, vitamin D is easily obtainable from dairy products like yogurt and milk.
- Brush using fluoride toothpaste
Fluroride is very helpful ingredient for promoting better oral and dental health. It not only prevents cavities but also remineralises enamel. Studies have revealed that brushing the teeth regularly using fluoride toothpaste can protect the teeth from cavities.
- Avoid sugary food items
This remedy of cavity is known by everyone but no one follows it. Having sugar will heighten the chance of developing cavities. You can have sugar below 10% of total intake of calorie every day.
In case, you cannot live without having sugar then avoid snacking on sugary items all over the day. After sugar goes down from the mouth the enamel will start remineralisation. Otherwise, it won’t get the scope to remineralise.
- Oil pulling
Oil pulling is the traditional practice involving swishing the mouth with oil of coconut or sesame. Just take the oil into your mouth and swish it for 20 minutes and spit. Oil pulling is highly beneficial for removal of toxins from the body.
Although it lacks from enough evidence yet clinical trial reveals that sesame oil pulling alleviates the chance of gingivitis, plaque and bacteria number in mouth similar to chlorhexidine mouthwash.
- Licorice root
Chinese licorice plant extract combats the bacteria which results in dental decay. A researcher also made licorice lollipop for fighting against tooth decay. These are highly effective to reduce S. mutans in mouth and keep cavities at bay.
Visit a dentist
Several dental problems including cavities sometimes develop without showing any prior symptoms. So, you should go for regular dental check up as it is the only best way to figure out any potential cavity before it starts invading your tooth completely. Remember, early diagnosis will be followed by easy, simple and fast treatment.
When you visit the dentist for cavity treatment, they will perform any of the following:
- Fluoride treatment- Professional products contain high amount of fluoride than any normal fluoride-contained mouthwash or toothpaste. When you need concentrated fluoride for treating the cavity, dentist will give a prescription.
- Fillings- Fillings are only option if the decay progresses beyond the enamel.
- Crowns- It is all about tailor-made cap or covering to place over tooth for treating extensive
- Root canals- This will become important if the cavity gets access to inner tooth material (pulp) affecting it badly.
- Tooth extractions- It involves removal of completely decayed tooth.
Conclusion
Although these will not treat the existing cavities completely yet they put effort to make it non-effective and prevent the formation of new one. The best thing these do is remineralisation of weakened or softened area of the enamel so that cavity cannot take place.
With early detection it is possible to save your tooth. But if you notice it lately and experience other symptoms such as pain and discomfort then you have to go for urgent dental care in London. Considering the present dental condition, the dentist may need to extract the tooth or perform root canal treatment.
