15 Simple Home Remedies to Treat Cavities and Tooth Decay

According to the American Dental Association, people with poor dental health often struggle with conditions such as low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety. Therefore, healthy teeth can improve physical, mental, and psychological well-being; however, if you’re worried about cavities, don’t panic. You can reverse them and heal tooth decay with simple home remedies.

Reduce Sugar Consumption

Sugary food feeds harmful bacteria in the mouth, producing acid that wears down the enamel. Reducing sugar consumption will slow down their growth and allow the teeth to remineralize and reverse damage over time. Maintaining good oral hygiene while cutting sugar intake will help rectify existing conditions and prevent future damage.

Quit Tobacco and Avoid Smoking

The chemicals in tobacco products can weaken the enamel, making them more susceptible to rot. Smoking cuts off blood flow to the gums and reduces their ability to heal properly, making them vulnerable to infections. Dry mouth from tobacco use can further decrease saliva production, a natural process that cleans and protects the teeth.

Rinse Mouth Regularly With Salt Water

Salt contains antibacterial properties that help prevent the growth of harmful organisms that cause cavities. When mixed with water, regular rinsing can promote the alkaline environment the mouth needs to heal decay. This natural remedy is a cost-effective and straightforward way to boost oral condition.

Increase Calcium Intake

Higher calcium levels in the saliva hastens the remineralization of weakened enamel, whose composition is primarily calcium. This remedy can help neutralize the acids contributing to decay and strengthen weakened teeth.

Oil Pulling

Swishing coconut oil around the mouth and between the teeth for twenty minutes without swallowing is a simple yet effective home remedy for filling cavities. It reduces dirt buildup and prevents decay by eliminating dangerous bacteria. The oil also removes toxins and debris from the crevices and gums.

Eat Foods With High Fiber Content

Meals with high fiber content can help treat cavities and prevent tooth decay by producing the saliva needed to neutralize mouth acids. They help stimulate the beneficial bacteria necessary to cleanse the teeth. Chewing fibrous foods can also remove plaque, stains, and debris between crevices.

Drink More Green Tea

Thanks to its rich content of polyphenols, particularly catechins like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), dentists advise patients with cavities to drink green tea to fix tooth damage. Also, studies have shown that it contains compounds that can stop Streptococcus mutans from producing acid and causing plaques.

Eat Food With Probiotics

Probiotics are food or dietary supplements containing live bacteria and yeasts that benefit oral well-being, particularly the digestive system. They ensure that beneficial organisms grow while inhibiting the dangerous ones to reduce acid production. Yogurts with probiotics will strengthen the enamel and prevent plaque formation.

Consider Using Fluoride Alternatives

Calcium phosphates and arginine are fluoride alternatives that can help cure cavities and treat tooth disease. They hasten recovery and halt plaque formation by depositing minerals onto the teeth and supporting favorable bacterial growth. Dentists prescribe them to patients who need to create the ideal environment to boost their oral health.

Adding Vitamin D Supplements to the Diet

Dietary supplements containing vitamin D are beneficial as they provide the body with the extra nutrients it needs to improve the bone and overall well-being. They enhance calcium absorption, assist in enamel remineralization, and decrease gum inflammation, resulting in better dental health.

Avoid Acidic Meals

Consuming acidic meals can weaken the protective outer layer of the teeth and make them more vulnerable to erosion and disease. This wear and tear can expose the sensitive dentin underneath, increasing the likelihood of cavities. Also, acidic foods can encourage the increase of unhealthy bacteria.

Sustain Good Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene for a few months does no good unless sustained; therefore, the need to adopt a lifelong commitment to improving dental health must be emphasized. Basic practices like brushing and flossing regularly with fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash must be done often. It’s the only way to achieve desired results and prevent further decay.

Go for Regular Dental Check-Ups

The easiest way to prevent or resolve dental problems is to detect them early so you can get treatment early and prevent them from degenerating into tooth decay, gum disease, or infections. Consistent check-ups also promote healthy oral hygiene habits. Moreover, they help to avoid extensive treatment while saving time, money, and potential discomfort.

Brush With Baking Soda

Baking soda makes this list because dentists acknowledge that its mildly abrasive nature can whiten the teeth. Its high alkaline levels can raise oral pH to reduce acid erosion, while its antifungal properties can help combat oral infections. Baking soda is most effective with regular oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing.

Try Xylitol

While dentists strongly advise against sugars, xylitol is a sugar alcohol that stops the growth of cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth. Though sweet, it starves harmful bacteria, reducing acidity and debris buildup. Xylitol can be added to chewing gum or sweets to stimulate the saliva required to clear food particles and dilute acids.