Prevent Tooth Decay | Stop Teeth Damage | Natural Treatments (2024)

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.

Prevent Tooth Decay | Stop Teeth Damage | Natural Treatments (2024)

FAQs

Prevent Tooth Decay | Stop Teeth Damage | Natural Treatments? ›

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.

How can I stop my teeth from rotting? ›

You can prevent tooth decay by eating a healthy diet, avoiding sugar sweetened drinks, drinking plenty of tap water, brushing your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste, and flossing once a day. Regular professional care can help to identify and prevent decay and may avoid the need for a filling.

How to reverse cavities naturally and heal tooth decay? ›

Good oral hygiene like regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings with a dentist can prevent and reverse cavities. Using fluoride is a tried and tested way to prevent decay and cavities. High-fluoride toothpaste or direct fluoride application helps remineralize the tooth enamel and prevent cavities.

How to rebuild tooth enamel naturally? ›

Try non-acidic foods: Certain foods are good for your enamel. Many types of fruits and vegetables, dairy products such as milk, and foods or drinks containing fluoride – notably spinach, grapes and black tea – will be useful to naturally restore enamel.

Can you remineralize a cavity? ›

Yes, in some cases, a forming cavity, also known as early stage tooth decay or enamel demineralization, can be reversed or stopped through remineralization. Remineralization involves depositing essential minerals like calcium and phosphate back into your teeth by using nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste.

Can oil pulling reverse cavities? ›

Oil pulling can help prevent cavities by removing harmful bacteria, and it may stop cavities from getting worse. However, it takes minerals like fluoride, hydroxyapatite, calcium, and phosphorus to reverse cavities by remineralizing your teeth — and only if you catch the cavities early enough.

How to remove tooth decay without a dentist? ›

Suggested Home Remedies for Tooth Decay:
  1. Oil Pulling. Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic procedure that helps maintain oral hygiene. ...
  2. Amla. Amla is a herb that is commonly used in Ayurveda. ...
  3. Liquorice. ...
  4. Aloe Vera Gel. ...
  5. Green Tea. ...
  6. Clove Oil. ...
  7. Oregano Oil. ...
  8. Cinnamon Oil.
Jan 16, 2024

How to rebuild enamel on teeth? ›

6 Tips on How to Remineralize Teeth
  1. Increase Saliva Production. One of the most effective ways to repair tooth enamel is to maximize the amount of saliva you produce. ...
  2. Drink More Water. ...
  3. Use a Remineralizing Toothpaste. ...
  4. Chew Sugar-Free Gum. ...
  5. Eat a Remineralization Diet. ...
  6. Dodge Acidic Drinks.

Can you reverse rotting teeth? ›

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.

Why are my teeth rotting even though I brush? ›

Brushing alone is not enough

Most adult cavities form between the teeth. These are called interproximal cavities. When you allow food and bacteria to sit between the teeth, the bacteria will start eating away at your tooth enamel and the tooth itself, forming a cavity.

What is the holistic approach to cavities? ›

One of the principal ways that holistic dentists treat cavities is by using non-toxic materials. Instead of the traditional filling materials containing toxic mercury, holistic dentists use bio-compatible materials, avoiding any harmful metals, chemicals, and substances.

What toothpaste remineralizes teeth? ›

A quick look at the best remineralizing toothpaste
  • Best anti-cavity remineralizing toothpaste: 3M Clinpro 5000.
  • Best remineralizing toothpaste for sensitive teeth: Sensodyne Pronamel.
  • Best overall remineralizing toothpaste: Crest Pro-Health Advanced.
Jun 21, 2022

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 does coconut oil do to teeth? ›

Coconut oil has been used for centuries as an effective oral hygiene practice. Current research suggests oil pulling with coconut oil (swishing oil in your mouth for 10 to 20 minutes) may reduce bad bacteria in the mouth, prevent gingivitis and tooth decay, and get rid of bad breath.

At what point are teeth not fixable? ›

However, if a tooth is severely damaged, your dentist may not be able to save it. In these cases, they will normally recommend that the tooth be removed. Dentists may recommend removal in the following circ*mstances: Dental injury resulting in a cracked or fractured tooth or root.

Can really bad teeth be fixed? ›

For those who have severely damaged or decayed teeth that can no longer function like normal teeth, a crown can offer a solution. Crowns are essentially caps that we place over the affected tooth to protect and preserve it. Crowns are also great at restoring your smile!

How much does it cost to fix rotten teeth? ›

How much do cavity fillings cost?
Filling materialAverage cost per toothCost range per tooth
Amalgam$160$100-$350
Composite resin$191$100-$400
Gold$400$250-$650
Porcelain$1,150$500-$2,800
Feb 9, 2024

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