How to Reverse Cavities

No one wants to hear their dentist say, “You have a cavity.” The key to good oral health and a cavity-free mouth is to understand why cavities form so you can take steps to prevent and reverse them.

What Causes Cavities?

Cavities are the result of untreated tooth decay, which occurs when your teeth are repeatedly exposed to acid and bacteria. Your diet and oral care routine play a significant role in the formation of cavities. When you eat sugary or starchy foods, a sticky substance called plaque forms on your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth feed on this plaque, producing acid as a waste product. This acid then eats away at your teeth.

Tooth decay occurs in five stages:

• Demineralization: Your teeth lose and regain minerals all day long. The problem occurs when depleted minerals are not restored.
• Enamel decay: The outer layer of your teeth decays first.
• Dentin decay: As the problem spreads to the dentin layer, you may start to feel pain.
• Pulp decay: Pain and inflammation can become severe if decay reaches the inner pulp of your teeth.
• Abscesses: When bacteria inside a cavity spread beneath the pulp, a pocket of pus can form, causing a painful abscess.

Signs of Cavities

Watch out for these signs that your teeth are starting to decay:

• White spots on your teeth (a sign of mineral loss)
• Grey, black, or brown spots on your teeth (a sign of decay)
• Toothaches
• Painful chewing
• Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet substances
• Pits or holes in your teeth (detectable through an X-ray)

How to Prevent and Reverse Cavities

By the time a cavity is noticeable, it may be too late to reverse the damage naturally. However, with the proper care, you can prevent cavities and even help early tooth decay heal on its own. Here’s what to do:

• Improve your nutrition: Replace sugary, starchy, and acidic foods with those rich in calcium, vitamins B and D, magnesium, and iron.
• Keep up your oral care routine: Remove bacteria-feeding plaque from your mouth by brushing your teeth morning and night, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing with mouthwash.
• Remineralize your teeth: Fluoride is the key to preventing mineral loss and replacing lost minerals. You can get fluoride from toothpaste, mouthwash, tap water, prescription fluoride tablets, and in-office fluoride treatments.
• Visit the dentist every six months: Dentists help prevent cavities by providing routine checkups and cleanings. They can also reverse cavities with fillings, crowns, root canals, and implants. These dental restorations are usually covered by insurance.

To keep your mouth cavity-free, be sure to visit Park 56 Dental, the best dentist in New York. We have more than 20 years of experience pampering our patients in a spa-like setting. For more oral care tips or to schedule a free consultation with our NYC dentist, please call us at (212) 826-2322 or contact us online.