From a very early age, your dentist will remind you that good dental health begins with regular brushing and flossing. Unfortunately, despite your best intentions, you will likely develop a cavity at some point in your life, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 90% of adults age 20 or older have at least one cavity.
According to health, tooth decay is not the end of the world, but it is something you need your dentist to take care of without delay.
Can you get rid of cavities at home?
The short answer: No, and home cavity removal isn’t recommended. It’s not possible, especially if the decay has progressed away from your tooth’s hard outer enamel shell into the softer dentin underneath.
You can think regarding the progression of the cavity as the more sugars and carbohydrates the bacteria eat, the more acid they will secrete and break down your teeth and the larger the cavity, the more likely you will need a filling.
If you have a dental cavity large enough that it extends into the dentin, the inner surface of the tooth, you can’t get rid of it.
In addition, a cavity develops faster in the surface of the tooth, so you don’t want to wait to see your dentist for treatment.
If a cavity is “small and barely visible” in the enamel of your teeth and is something known as a “clock” or what dentists call “primary caries” you can take steps to prevent it from getting bigger.
“If it’s between your teeth, dentists will recommend you keep up with flossing, brush with fluoride toothpaste, and maybe use a fluoride mouthwash to strengthen the enamel and prevent that cavity from getting bigger. But once a cavity is bigger than a clock-type wound, it’s hard to keep it that size.” It is likely to progress over time.
For older adults with lots of cavities especially around crowns – or young children who have infantile teeth due to fall out soon.
As a child, getting adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D is key to maintaining the strength and growth of your bones. As an adult, taking supplemental vitamins will not necessarily help your teeth, as they will no longer grow or develop. We cannot rely on vitamins or supplements to strengthen teeth or Fighting tooth decay.”
Sugar-free gum won’t help you get rid of cavities, but it does provide other benefits – including keeping you away from snacks and carbs. If you’re a snack person and need something in your mouth, sugar-free gum is a good alternative because it won’t be Do you have any carbohydrates or sugars in your mouth?
How to prevent cavities the right way
In addition to daily brushing and flossing, Dr. Clemons offers these tips for healthier teeth:
Try not to snack often
When we have a patient with a lot of cavities, we talk regarding the frequency of their meals. If the patient has frequent (non-water) snacks or drinks throughout the day, bacteria throughout the day can use those carbohydrates and acids to form cavities.” As a good rule of thumb, Stick to three meals a day, and try to limit snacks.
Brush your teeth following eating a snack
If you tend to snack in the followingnoon, make sure you brush your teeth following you’re done “what you want to do is get rid of the food source that the bacteria are consuming
Chew sugar-free gum
In addition to keeping you from snacking, sugar-free gum stimulates saliva flow as saliva protects your teeth from the formation of tooth decay. It has a more neutral pH, and cavity-producing bacteria are more active in an acidic environment.
Don’t just rely on mouthwash to clean your teeth
Swishing some mouthwash in your mouth and calling it a day isn’t a foolproof way to prevent cavities. Instead, you need to make sure that you remove all of the food and any plaque that has built up between your teeth.
Mouthwash can be a useful addition for some patients, but it is not a substitute for brushing and flossing, as mouthwash cannot do the job of actually removing plaque and bacteria.
Make sure to visit the dentist regularly
If you feel you might develop a cavity, it’s best to see a dentist sooner rather than later. Letting the gaps progress might lead to bigger problems in the future.
