Do you ever feel a sudden hit of pain or discomfort while indulging in your favorite meal? If so, there is a possibility that you have cavities. A cavity is a small hole that develops on the surface of your teeth as a result of tooth decay. However, the good news is that you can reverse a cavity if you catch them early on.
Cavity Development – Causes
Cavities form when you do not follow a proper oral hygiene regime which causes tooth decay. The bacterial overload eats away the enamel of your teeth, forming holes in them.
When you eat too many sugary or starchy foods and drinks, they mix with your oral flora, i.e., the bacteria in your mouth, to form a sticky film called plaque. Over time, the acid begins to erode the enamel of your teeth, eventually creating a hole.
Can You Reverse A Cavity?
In a nutshell, yes. If you happen to catch your cavity in its early stages, you can stop it from progressing and can reverse it too.
However, once it progresses beyond the enamel layer into the inner layers of your tooth, the condition becomes irreversible. That is why dentists emphasize periodic checkups to catch cavities early and take action to reverse them.
How To Reverse A Dental Cavity?
You can deal with a hole in your tooth by:
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is an essential mineral that helps in remineralization and strengthening the enamel of your teeth. If you catch a cavity in early stage 1, your dentist can reverse it by applying a fluoride treatment.
During this treatment, the dentist applies a concentrated fluoride gel or may use foam on the surface of your teeth. This lets the mineral fluoride penetrate and strengthen the enamel.
Modify Your Diet
Adequate dietary changes greatly help in the reversal of dental cavities. You must cut down on sugary and starchy foods and drinks consumption. This, in turn, will lessen the number of plaque-forming bacteria in your mouth, preventing tooth decay.
Xylitol Infused Toothpaste
Xylitol is a natural sweetening agent that, according to research, has been shown to prevent tooth decay and promote healthy teeth.
Choosing a toothpaste containing xylitol helps reverse dental cavities and prevent future ones from forming.
How Xylitol does its magic is it disrupts the plaque-forming bacteria multiplication in your mouth, making it harder for them to stick to your teeth.
Regular Dental Checkups
Regular dental checkups are essential for catching cavities early on and preventing them from progressing.
Cavity vs. Tooth Decay – The difference
The terms cavities and tooth decay are often used conversely; however, they are not the same thing.
Tooth decay is a bacterial manifestation that eats away at the enamel surface of your teeth, eventually forming a cavity.
A cavity is actually a small hole that forms on the surface of your tooth due to tooth decay. While tooth decay can be reversed in its early stages, once a cavity has formed, it becomes irreversible and can only be treated by a dentist.
Final Note
Keep your oral health in check by never missing your appointment at the dentist’s office. Regular screening will help you detect any issues of the mouth in its budding stage. Contact experts from The Smile Artisans for more information. Dial (832) 220-6087 to connect with us.