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.
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FAQs
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.
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.
Is there a natural way to stop 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 do I stop my teeth from rotting anymore? ›
A dentist can prescribe fluoride treatments like mouthwash or varnish to reverse early tooth decay. You'll probably need a filling if you have a hole (cavity) in your tooth. If tooth decay has reached the soft tissue (pulp) in the middle of your tooth, you may need root canal treatment.
How to rebuild tooth enamel naturally? ›
6 Tips on How to Remineralize Teeth
- Increase Saliva Production. One of the most effective ways to repair tooth enamel is to maximize the amount of saliva you produce. ...
- Drink More Water. ...
- Use a Remineralizing Toothpaste. ...
- Chew Sugar-Free Gum. ...
- Eat a Remineralization Diet. ...
- Dodge Acidic Drinks.
It is usually recommended to increase the intake of mineral-rich meats and vegetables, bone broth and healthy fats. Diet rich in gelatin and magnesium may also help heal rotten teeth. Fish oil, olive oil and seafood are high in fat-soluble vitamins, so it is good to include these in your diet during tooth healing.
Can you reverse bad tooth decay? ›
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.
Can I save my decaying teeth? ›
Dentin decay is possible to treat with Fillings in the early stage, or the dentist may suggest placing crowns in more advanced cases. Before placing the crowns, the decayed area is removed first, and if necessary, some healthy tooth tissue may also be removed to ensure that the crowns fit nicely into your mouth.
Can you stop teeth rotting once they start? ›
Is it possible to reverse or stop a cavity from getting worse? Weakened enamel or the early stage of tooth decay can still be saved and reversed by replenishing the lost minerals in the tooth enamel. However, once the bacteria reaches the dentin, it becomes a point of no return.
How do you rebuild decaying teeth? ›
Treatment options include:
- Fluoride treatments. If your cavity just started, a fluoride treatment may help restore your tooth's enamel and can sometimes reverse a cavity in the very early stages. ...
- Fillings. Fillings, also called restorations, are the main treatment option. ...
- Crowns. ...
- Root canals. ...
- Tooth extractions.
Lacks Remineralization
One significant drawback of using baking soda as your primary toothpaste is its lack of nano hydroxyapatite, a critical mineral for dental health. The American Dental Association confirms that remineralization is necessary to tackle tooth decay.
Does oil pulling remineralize teeth? ›
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 remineralize teeth holistic? ›
Brushing with fluoride toothpaste, cutting out sugar, and making sure you're getting enough calcium and vitamins in your diet are just some ways to reduce mineral loss in your tooth enamel. Minerals such as calcium and phosphate help make up tooth enamel, along with bone and dentin.
What happens if a decayed tooth is not removed? ›
Bacterial Infection
If left untreated, this cavity can become larger and deeper, allowing bad bacteria to reach the soft tissue inside of your tooth, called the pulp. Once the pulp is infected, it can spread to the root of your tooth and beyond. This can cause a painful abscess and extensive damage to your oral health.
Can a tooth be saved if its decayed? ›
Although deep tooth decay often leads to extraction, it is not the only solution. If you're wondering how to fix tooth decay, several options, such as dental crowns, fillings, inlays, and onlays, can restore the tooth's structure, appearance, and integrity once removing the decay.
How do you treat a badly decayed tooth? ›
Treatments include dental fillings, root canal therapy and tooth extraction. The sooner you treat a cavity, the better your chance for a predictable outcome and optimal oral health.
Are rotten teeth savable? ›
In the initial stages of decay, teeth can be saved through various diet choices and oral care routines. However, once decay progresses, rotting teeth can only be saved through dental procedures.
