For most people, discovering that they have a cavity or pain in their teeth means a visit to their dentist. After all, we all know that cavities can be fixed with fillings. However, what most people do not know that is that fillings are not the only available option – cavities and tooth decay be reversed. Read on to know the basic principles behind how you can effectively and naturally heal cavities and prevent tooth decay.
Reduce your sugar intake and change your diet. According to studies, a change in diet can reverse tooth decay. You can make small and easy adjustments to your diet immediately such as:Consume more calcium-rich foods like collards, kale, dairy and broccoli to strengthen the teeth and bones. It also helps to avoid drinking beverages with high carbonation as sugars cause excessive tartar and plaque buildup which can lead to cavities.
Improve your oral care routine. To protect your teeth from early decay or heal them from an existing tooth decay, including the following activities in your oral care routine.
- Brush your teeth twice daily, making sure that you reach all corners, crevices, pockets and surfaces.
- Floss at least once a day to remove remaining food particles underneath our gums and prevent bacteria buildup.
- Use a mouthwash with antibacterial properties to help get rid of any remaining bacteria in the mouth.
Add vitamins and supplements to your daily diet. Micronutrients are important to bone health and in keeping inflammation under control to reverse or prevent cavities. There are certain vitamins that help produce saliva that in turn prevents bacteria from staying in your teeth. There are also vitamins that make the teeth stronger. Examples of foods that help promote salivation are peas, bananas and Brussels sprouts. Important vitamins that you should consume are vitamins B, D, iron and magnesium. If you are not too keep about taking supplements, try to eat seafood and whole grains instead; salmon, sardines and canned tuna are all great sources of vitamin D.
Eat foods with natural probiotics. Bad bacteria association with infection look for nooks and crannies in between the teeth hide, so consuming probiotics will help offset acidic pH. Food items rich in probiotics include kefir, kombucha and fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchee. These food items stimulate the production of healthy bacteria in the mouth which can be effective in preventing tooth decay and plaque buildup.
Know the pH values of your food and beverages. Imbalanced pH levels creates an environment for bacteria to thrive. Coffee is an example of such beverage, along with some sugars and citrus fruits. They provide the perfect environment to harboring potentially infectious oral bacteria. If you drink coffee every day and suffer from tooth decay, consider drinking green tea instead. Green tea contains polyphenol that acts as a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties that hinder the growth of harmful bacteria while improving oral health.
Come up with a new oral care hygiene. Have your heard of oil pulling? This technique is believed to cleanse the teeth with its antiseptic and moisturizing capabilities. This is done by swishing sesame, coconut or sunflower oil for about 20 minutes in your mouth to reduce plaque buildup. Spit the oil out and brush your teeth afterwards. Oil pulling has shown to reduce gingivitis and plaque in as little as a month.
Keep in mind that if your teeth has already developed a cavity, you might have to visit the dentist. However, you can very well lessen the damage by following the tips above as you pay a little more attention to your precious teeth. If you need any more tips, talk to a reputable dentist in your area now.
