Treating and Preventing Tooth Decay and Cavities

Treating and Preventing Tooth Decay and Cavities

Tooth decay or cavity is permanent damage that occurs on the hard surface of a tooth, enamel, making its way to the roots by developing holes in the tooth. The cavity is formed when plaque, bacteria in the mouth, constantly forms on the teeth and produces acid when it comes in contact with foods and drinks that contain sugar. The acid attacks the teeth enamel and breaks it down over time. Cavities can be found in children as well as adults. People who practice poor dental hygiene often fall prey to cavities as they don’t successfully remove the formation of the acid layer off their teeth.

Cavities do not cause any pain initially, but as it grows deeper into the tooth and reaches the nerves, or cause a fracture in the tooth, it can cause unbearable pain. Everyone dreads dental surgeries and painful treatments; which become a common reason most people do not visit the dentist despite having cavities in their teeth. When the cavity is left untreated for too long, it reaches the roots of the tooth that can lead to nerve damage and infections. The pain caused by nerve damage can be treated by performing a root canal or a tooth extraction. Infections caused due to untreated cavity can cause jaws to swell and cause immense pain. Doctors often prescribe antibiotic medication to treat infections. Here are a few other treatment and prevention methods for cavities:

1. Removing cavities
Visiting the dentist at regular intervals is essential to main dental health and avoid dental issues. Dentists remove cavity be drilling it out of the tooth and filling the space with composite resin, which is a white dental filling material.

2. Brushing properly and regularly
Just brushing is never enough to prevent cavities from forming. It is important to brush thoroughly in order to ensure there is no food particle left on anywhere on the teeth. Along with this, brushing at least twice a day, especially upon waking up and before sleeping, is an essential step toward dental hygiene and health.

3. Using the right toothpaste
Along with right brushing, one must also use the right toothpaste to prevent cavity formation. Toothpaste that contain fluoride help prevent tooth decay. Some best toothpaste available are mentioned below:

  • Parodontax Clean Mint: Those who want to prevent bleeding gums and gums disease should use this toothpaste.
  • Crest Gum Detoxify:This toothpaste can be used by people who want to neutralize gingivitis and plaque in the gum-line.
  • The Natural Dentist: People looking for a natural formula in their toothpaste to prevent cavities can go for this paste.

This important to maintain dental health. Therefore, before buying a toothpaste, one must look for the toothpaste’s ability to provide cavity protection, promote mouth health, and ADA acceptance.

4. Eat healthy
Nutrition is an essential factor that determines the overall health of a person, including oral health. Consuming foods that promote dental health include fiber-rich vegetables and fruits, sugarless food items, cheese, milk, and plain yogurt.  

5. Preventing cavities naturally
People also go for home remedies and natural ways to prevent cavity invasion. Oil pulling is one of the ancient methods of removing the cavity naturally. It involves swishing the mouth with a tablespoon of coconut and sesame oil for some time before spitting it out. Another common way to prevent cavities naturally involves the application of aloe-vera gel onto the teeth and gums to fight off bacteria and prevent tooth decay.

Oral health is an essential part of overall health. It is, therefore, important to make yourself aware of all the actions that can make or break oral health. These points mentioned above can guide one in taking good care of their teeth and preventing dental complications.