Cavities or you may also call them caries. These are tiny black holes that are caused on the surface of your teeth. Cavities are caused by bacteria that form on teeth and feed off the sugar in your mouth. Streptococcus mutans are the most common bacteria that cause cavities. These bacteria produce acid that can dissolve the enamel on your teeth. This is why it's important to detect cavities before they turn into a major problem.
Dentists use X-rays to diagnose cavities but they are expensive, but if the problem is increased then it is recommended to visit a McKinney dentist. Sometimes cavities may start to develop on your teeth, so there is no need to panic. Some home remedies can help prevent cavities naturally. You must try these home remedies before visiting the dentist.
How To Prevent Cavities At Home?
The studies show that the main cause of cavities is deficiency of vitamin D in the human body. Vitamin D is a secosteroid hormone that is required for strong teeth and bones. It is also tested that the people who include a good source of vitamin D in their diet have stronger teeth less suspected of cavities. Many people are also suggested to reduce their intake of grains as it sticks to their teeth and causes damage. There are many other risk factors which are as follows:
Intake of sugary food like ice cream, soda, drinks, or cereals.
Bedtime feeding to an infant.
Eating sticky food like candies, sugary gums, and chocolates.
A dental problem like dry mouth or low production of saliva in the mouth.
The improper habit of brushing and cleaning teeth.
Smoking and drinking.
These are the major risk factors for cavities. Cavities are painful and dangerous once it reaches the dentine of your tooth. However here are some home remedies so you can prevent cavities and enable development until you visit a dentist for proper treatment. Here are 6 home remedies to prevent cavities naturally:
1.Coconut/Sesame Oil Pulling
Coconut oil is a common ingredient in all Indian kitchens. Millions of people love to use coconut oil for cooking and beauty purposes too. But do you know it also benefits your teeth? Coconut Oil Pulling is a great way to prevent cavities. You just have to take one or two tablespoons of coconut oil in and swish it for about 20 minutes all around in your mouth and spit it out. It helps you remove all the toxins from your mouth that cause cavity germs. The sesame oil pulling is also good as it reduces the development of gingivitis, plaque, and other bacteria from your mouth. Both oils are effective as per studies; these have also been practiced from ancient times.
2. Vitamin D-Rich Diet:
As it is said that the deficiency of vitamin D can cause cavities, so if you start taking foods that are rich in vitamin D it will help you to get rid of cavities. You can also take a vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D contains calcium and phosphate which is essential for strong and healthy teeth. So include more tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, a cup of milk, nuts, and fish in your diet.
3. Licorice Root:
Licorice is a very good remedy to prevent cavities. It removes tartar and plaque from the teeth. It's very effective in preventing cavities too. So you can use it as your chewing gum, add 3-5 pieces to the mouth every morning and chew them until they dissolve completely. This can be done for at least 2 weeks. The powder form of licorice can also be used for this purpose.
4. Chewing Sugar-Free Gums:
When there is an accumulation of plaque and tartar it starts to degrade away. One best ways to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth is to chew sugar-free gum. It prevents any acidity that might exist in your mouth and also removes the bacteria that cause cavities. The sugary food that you intake weakens your stick to your teeth and weakens the enamel, so chewing sugar-free gum strengthens your teeth thus reducing their ability to resist decay.
5.Fluoride Toothpaste To Brush Your Teeth:
Fluoride is a mineral that gives strength to your teeth and helps you remove the bacteria and germs which cause cavities. This can be found in toothpaste, so it is better to choose toothpaste that contains fluoride. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day to ensure that you are removing bacterial activity from your mouth.
Why See A Dentist?
You need to visit the dentist every time and get your teeth checked. You should follow these remedies as well as visit a dentist and have your teeth cleaned. There are some problems like deep cavities and other dental problems which can only be treated with the help of a dentist who is an expert in dental implants near me. Here are some cavity treatments that are treated by an expert only are:
Fillings:
The filling is a process done to reduce the development of a cavity when it reaches beyond the enamel of one's tooth.
Root Canals:
The cavity may reach the inner part of the tooth which is termed as root. If it is infected it requires a root canal treatment.
Crowns:
If your tooth is broken and there are large cavities then you have to replace the tooth with a crown so you can chew food without any problem.
Fluoride Treatments:
It is a very effective procedure to treat the cavity which is caused by a large amount of acid in your mouth. A dentist will clean your mouth and put some juice on the teeth. Then apply fluoride paste to the teeth, and then cover it with a plastic cap for 30 days so it gets into the tooth and kills all the bacteria which cause cavities.
Tooth Extractions:
When you have a cavity in your tooth and there is no chance of covering it with a crown then you need to remove the tooth.
Bottom Lines
If you want to prevent diseases and cavities, then you should understand the reasons for getting a cavity as they are basically due to diet or lifestyle choices and avoid them to prevent them. If you are already having a cavity, then it is better to go to a dentist who can clean your teeth, and help you with other complete treatments so that your teeth remain healthy.