Throughout our lives, our teeth are constantly under attack. Harmful bacteria feed on food particles in the mouth, particularly sugar. This leads to the creation ofby-products that wear away at the surface of teeth and ultimately cause tooth decay.
However, there is another challenge that’s just as serious: Dental erosion.
When we eat acidic foods of any kind, tooth enamel temporarily softens and loses some of its important minerals. Within a few hours, saliva naturally restores the pH balance of the mouth. However, during this time, the enamel is at particular risk of permanent damage.
Dental erosion can be prevented by adjusting diet to avoid acidic foods. Acid attacks can also be reduced by finishing a meal with cheese or milk; two items that can help restore pH balance more quickly. Some sugar-free gums can help by naturally stimulating saliva production after eating.
To reduce enamel damage, wait at least an hour after a meal before you brush your teeth.
Can Tooth Enamel Be Restored?
Once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be brought back. However, weakened enamel can be restored to some degree by improving its mineral content. Although toothpastes and mouthwashes can never “rebuild” teeth, they can contribute to this remineralization process.
Remineralization introduces minerals, especially calcium, to the teeth. These minerals bond to the surface of the teeth and are drawn to weak points in the enamel. This is especially effective in cases of dental erosion, since tooth surfaces mightbe weakened without being cracked or chipped.
Enamel’s chief ingredient is calcium phosphate, also known ashydroxyaptite. Products with high concentrations of calcium phosphate or with fluoride, a common additive, are best at helping teeth to remineralize naturally before damage exceeds the point of no return.
How to Stop Tooth Decay in Madison, WI: See a Dentist
Each day, there are many opportunities to combat tooth decay through brushing, flossing, using mouthwashand even changing diet habits. However, a dentist’s help can be essential in both protecting teeth and restoring those that have already sustained damage.
There are two popular options for rebuilding tooth structure:
- Tooth Bonding:Attaching tooth-colored composite resin to chipped or cracked areas
- Tooth Crown:Covering damaged enamel to protect it and strengthen the tooth overall.
Looking for a Madison, WI, dentist you can trust?
Dental Health Associates has been helpingrestore teethin Madisonwith our conveniently located clinics inSun Prairie,Fitchburg, andMiddleton.
FAQs
Drinking water is one of the best ways to prevent cavities and gum disease. You can stop plaque buildup and protect your tooth enamel just by drinking water throughout the day. Water washes away food debris and stimulates saliva production, which helps to prevent plaque buildup and acid attacks.
Is there a natural way to stop tooth decay? ›
Drinking water is one of the best ways to prevent cavities and gum disease. You can stop plaque buildup and protect your tooth enamel just by drinking water throughout the day. Water washes away food debris and stimulates saliva production, which helps to prevent plaque buildup and acid attacks.
Can decayed teeth be fixed naturally? ›
Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva, and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. But if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity. A cavity is permanent damage that a dentist has to repair with a filling.
What is the best way to prevent tooth decay? ›
Preventing Tooth Decay
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste. ...
- Clean between your teeth daily with dental floss or interdental cleaners, such as the Oral-B Interdental Brush, Reach Stim-U-Dent, or Sulcabrush.
- Rinse daily with a fluoride-containing mouthwash.
As a result, there is no natural way to remove them at home. Only a dentist can fix a cavity by filling it in. That said, home care can prevent cavities. Food and bacteria buildup form a sticky film on the teeth's surface and along the gumline.
How to rebuild tooth enamel naturally? ›
Eat a Remineralization Diet
Certain foods can help remineralize softened areas in your teeth that acidic foods and drinks have weakened. For example, foods rich in calcium (dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt) help put back minerals into the enamel, and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables encourage saliva flow.
Can you stop teeth from rotting? ›
Early tooth decay is reversible. Saliva can deposit mineral back onto the tooth surface, and improvements in your diet and oral hygiene make a big difference. Your dentist can treat early areas of tooth decay with fluoride or other products to help with this process.
Can you reverse bad tooth decay? ›
Can tooth decay be reversed? Yes, if it is caught early. Tooth decay is only reversible in the beginning stages when it has only affected the enamel or the hard outer protective coating of the tooth. Once tooth decay has progressed through the enamel into the softer, inner part of the tooth, it is irreversible.
Can my rotten teeth be saved our life? ›
Although there is no absolute cure to fix rotten teeth, there are treatment options available to limit further decay. However, treatment options may depend on the severity of the cavity.
How did I heal my cavities naturally? ›
Natural Remedies to Fight Cavities
- Oil of Oregano to Stop Decay. ...
- Establish a Healthy pH Level with Xylitol. ...
- Clove Oil for Pain Relief and Prevention. ...
- Neem Bark to Fight Infection. ...
- Green Tea as a Natural Fluoride Treatment. ...
- Keep Teeth Healthy with Licorice Root. ...
- Diet Changes to Reduce Bacteria.
Fluoride. In the very early stages of tooth decay, fluoride treatments can repair damaged enamel — a process called remineralization. This can reverse the early signs of cavities. You may need prescription toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as fluoride treatments at the dental office.
Does baking soda get rid of cavities? ›
We mentioned that it helps reduce the risk of cavities, but it doesn't stop there… Repairs damage caused by cavities: The American Dental Association states that by getting rid of plaque, soda helps stop cavities that are in the beginning stages of forming, and actually repairs the damage they cause.
What home remedy is good for tooth decay? ›
A study has shown that aloe vera gel effectively kills and removes bacteria (S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp.), which are known for their involvement in cavity formation (dental caries). In this way, aloe vera gel might protect the tooth from decay. It can be used by making juice and drinking daily.
What neutralizes tooth decay? ›
Believe it or not, saliva is your mouth's most powerful natural defense against decay. This is because saliva contains important elements such as bicarbonate, calcium, and phosphate. These compounds not only neutralize plaque acids, but also help repair early tooth damage and decay.
Can decaying teeth be restored? ›
If you're wondering how to fix tooth decay, several options, such as dental crowns, fillings, inlays, and onlays, can restore the tooth's structure, appearance, and integrity once removing the decay.
Is it possible to stop a tooth from rotting? ›
Weakened enamel or the early stage of tooth decay can still be saved and reversed by replenishing the lost minerals in the tooth enamel. However, once the bacteria reaches the dentin, it becomes a point of no return.
Can tooth decay be stopped at home? ›
Unfortunately, no. Only a dentist can repair a cavity, so you should make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. However, you do have the power to halt the decay and prevent future damage. Start implementing a tooth-healthy routine today and reap the benefits of a strong enamel for years to come.
