Tooth decay is the destruction of tooth structure as a result of acid produced by certain plaque bacteria such as Streptococcus mutants. This acid is a metabolic byproduct of bacteria when they digest sugars in the mouth, when the acid is in contact with the tooth for a long enough time, it begins by decalcifying the enamel. Enamel is a crystalline structure and is quite resilient to decay, especially when fluoride is incorporated. 

However, once the enamel layer becomes sufficiently decalcified and is breached by bacteria the decay spreads more rapidly within the dental layer. The dentin soften and overlying enamel can eventually collapse forming a hole in the tooth known commonly as cavity as decay progresses deeper in the dentin layer it will approach the tooth pulp chamber houses soft tissue continuing tiny blood and nerve tissue. 

Inflammation of the pulp tissue or pulpits can result in pain and hypersensitivity. When bacteria infiltrate the pulp tissue and colonize it, the pulp tissue begins to undergo necrosis. Eventually, a dental abscess will occur which can lead to significant swelling and pain.

Very small cavities that are within the outermost layer of the tooth can stop developing if you have the right combination of diet, oral hygiene, and dental maintenance. Obviously, brushing and flossing your teeth is critical, and removing the acid-producing plaque that develops a cavity in the mouth. 

Symptoms of cavities

Cavities are one of the most widely recognized oral medical issues. Some of the major symptoms of cavities are given below: 

1. Toothache is one of the most well-known manifestations of cavities. If you routinely experience a toothache, odds are that you might be having a cavity. 

2. Stains can be seen on the tooth surface.

3. Now and again, if you sense torment while biting food, the explanation might be that you may be under the danger of a cavity.

4. Another symptom can be the point at which we eat sweet food which further prompts torment in our teeth. In any case, it is consistently advisable to counsel the specialist for the best clinical treatment. 

Factors affecting cavities

1. Area of the teeth. 

2. Eating an excess of sweets during sleep time.

3. Depending a lot on sweet nourishments and beverages.

4. Poor oral cleanliness can likewise trigger cavities

5. Dietary problems additionally invigorate cavities. 

Home remedies to treat cavities

  1. Oil pulling

Oil pulling is an ancient practice where you swish one tablespoon of coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil in your mouth for anywhere between 5 to 20 minutes and then spit it out. 

You are supposed to spit it out in a trash can so you don’t clog your drains and you are supposed to be very careful avoiding swallowing it.

  1. Clove oil 

Applying clove oil on the influenced area can do help as clove has mitigating and anti-bacterial properties and along with this, it helps in forestalling cavities. It can be applied for two-three times each day. 

  1. Vitamin D 

Vitamin D helps in restricting dental cavities. Food plentiful in Vitamin D, for example, milk, yogurt, or dairy items must be eaten. Sun is the common wellspring of Vitamin D. 

  1. Garlic 

Garlic will in general be a fundamental ingredient to keep up oral wellbeing. Crude garlic likewise helps in keeping up oral wellbeing. One must eat the garlic cloves on a vacant stomach in the first part of the day for better outcomes. 

  1. Guava leaves 

Guava leaves have antimicrobial properties that can help in treating cavities. One can basically chew guava leaves or can add squashed leaves to boiling water and the solution can be utilized as a mouthwash. 

  1. Lemon 

Lemon has a certain citrus extract present in it which helps in decreasing torment. One can chew a lemon slice for a couple of moments and later should flush their mouth with clean water.

  1. Green tea packs 

Green tea diminishes plaque creation inside the mouth. Honey and lemon juice must be added to hot green tea and the warm tea must be utilized for better outcomes. 

  1. Neem 

Neem is unquestionably an extremely viable approach to get more beneficial teeth. The fiber content in it gets plaque far from your teeth.

The procedure is basic, you simply need to bite neem leaves and afterward quickly need to flush your mouth with water. Neem remains the conventional answer for each ailment in each family unit. 

  1. Turmeric 

Turmeric has calming and antibacterial properties that keep the gums healthy and forestall tooth decay. 

There are two different ways to utilize turmeric. To begin with, apply turmeric on the influenced teeth for a couple of moments and afterward flush your mouth. 

Second, blend turmeric in with mustard oil and massage with the combination on the teeth and gums for 10 minutes. Repeat this process 2-3 times a day for better results.

  1. Baking soda

Baking soda is rich in anti-microbial properties which kills the acids present in the mouth and forestall it by causing tooth decay and cavities. Additionally, it brightens the teeth.

Dunk a wet brush in baking soda and afterward brush your teeth with it. You should brush with baking soda for a couple of days.

  1. Wheatgrass 

Wheatgrass is a decent wellspring of vitamin A and E alongside iron, magnesium, and calcium. It has antibacterial properties that forestall cavities and tooth rot.

Drink a glass of wheatgrass juice or blend 1 piece of wheatgrass juice in with 6 pieces of water and flush the mouth with it.

  1. Eggshells 

Eggshells help in eliminating all the rot in the teeth. The eggshells must be boiled for a couple of moments and afterward, it must be dried. The shells must be then grinded appropriately and baking soda must be added to it to form a paste. The paste should additionally be utilized along without toothpaste.

  1. Saltwater 

Swish your mouth by adding salt to warm water and the process must be rehashed two times per day. Saltwater eliminates tenacity from the tooth and in this manner ends up being effective to fight with cavities. 

A lot of people do not realize that diet is arguably the most important factor in being cavity-free so what are some foods to avoid and what foods to eat.

Foods to avoid

In general, avoid foods with a high glycemic index. This means try to reduce the amount of processed sugar and carbohydrates in your diet. 

Foods like crackers, sugary drinks, yogurt, and other processed foods can be used as a fuel for the bacteria in your mouth to feed them. This will create an acidic environment in your mouth which can cause a huge cavity to develop on your teeth and it is hard to change your diet on a whim but as long as you keep flossing and brushing your teeth every day you will be fine.

Foods to eat 

Foods that are rich in calcium, vitamin K, and vitamin D come into play.

Foods like egg, fish, most complex carbohydrates and vegetables, all have a low glycemic index and can promote healthy teeth and gums.

As mentioned earlier that diet is arguably more important than you are at home brushing routine but brushing and flossing are still super important.

Prevention for cavities

  1. Diet

Eliminate or lower refined sugars and carbonated drinks like soda pop and energy drinks. 

  1. Dental home care

Make sure to floss every morning and every night to get those particles in between teeth out and the cavity would not develop and use an electric toothbrush.

Using a soft-bristled manual or electric toothbrush along the gum line is critical in removing all the plaque that develops throughout the day. 

  1. Professional dental care

Pay regular visits to your dentist for dental examinations and dental hygiene. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. Can cavities repair themselves?

Enamel can fix itself by utilizing minerals from salivation, and fluoride from toothpaste or different sources. Yet, on the off chance that the tooth decay measure proceeds, more minerals are lost. After some time, the enamel is debilitated and demolished, shaping a cavity.

  1. What happens if you have a lot of cavities?

On the off chance that cavities aren’t dealt with, they get bigger and influence further layers of your teeth. They can prompt extreme toothache, tooth loss, and contamination. Ordinary dental visits and great brushing and flossing propensities are your best assurance against tooth decay and cavities.

  1. How long does it take to fill 3 cavities?

As a rule, a filling takes an hour or less. A straightforward filling may take as meager as 20 minutes. A bigger filling or numerous fillings can take longer. Likewise, contingent upon the materials utilized for the filling, it could take longer, or require a subsequent visit.

  1. Are cavities contagious to other teeth?

Cavities can be viewed as contagious, particularly to small kids and children. Microorganisms mutants streptococcus feeds from sugars in the mouth and makes a corrosive that consumes tooth enamel. Similarly, as with some other infectious ailments, these microscopic organisms can spread starting with one individual then onto the next on the off chance that you are not cautious.

  1. Can you leave a cavity untreated?

An untreated cavity can prompt a disease in the tooth called a tooth abscess. Untreated tooth decay likewise obliterates within the tooth (pulp). This requires more broad treatment, or perhaps expulsion of the tooth. Carbohydrates (starches and sugars) increment the danger of tooth decay.

Final words

The most cost-effective way to keep your teeth clean is prevention. So make sure you are brushing and flossing every day, you are eating the right food, you are visiting your dentist bi-annually and you will be fine.

If you have a large cavity that cannot be healed naturally then you are recommended to go to your local dentist where they will clean out the infected tooth structure and get you back healthy and active.

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