Tooth decay can be horrifying. It is the softening of the enamel. Generally, it refers to the damages done by the plaque, sugar, and acid in the teeth.
It can cause a cavity too. You can lose your precious teeth with time if not taken proper measures.
So, preventing tooth decay process is important. It will help to prevent cavities from spreading further.
Note, cavity, surprisingly is contagious. It can spread from one tooth to another and also from one person to another.
If the situation worsens you will need to see a dentist like Australian Dental Specialists for root canal treatment.
Once the process starts it is nearly impossible to reverse without properly measured dental treatment. However, we can slow down or prevent the process in the first place by following some steps.
Brief Note on Tooth Decay and Cavity
Teeth are consisting of 3 parts: Crown or Enamel, Dentin, and Pulp. Each part can be infected variously causing problems to our overall health.
Remember teeth are just not for show or chewing. They play a very important and big role in your life.
When the teeth are damaged enough it can affect both the enamel and inner dentin layer.
The acid in food can dissolve the enamel and create holes a.k.a cavity.
Cavities can be painful. Cold food becomes banned. If the situation worsens you will need to get it operated.
The healing of teeth is known as remineralization. Calcium and phosphate ions deposit in the enamel space to repair and build them. The gums also become more firm.
Now, be clear that once a tooth gets cavity it cannot be healed properly ever but you are able to prevent it from spreading any further.
How to Prevent Tooth Decay
If we talk about step by step action to heal tooth decay or cavity than the first step will be to change into a proper diet.
Following you will have all answered about teeth healing in brief.
1. Say Goodbye to Sugar
Say goodbye to sugar for a few days. Sugar is recognized as the main culprit behind the cavity and other problem of teeth.
Unfortunately, that is how it is. Sugar or sweet is one of the most favorite foods but it can ruin your oral health.
Sugary food has the tendency to stick on surfaces even on smooth edges. It helps carb to break into acid.
So, it destroys enamel health in 2 ways. One, it feeds oral bacteria to prevent the healthy flow of an oral fluid like saliva. And, two, demineralize or decalcify creating decays.
Raw honey, maple syrup, fruit, and their juice can be your alternative for the time being to reverse the decay.
Artificial sweeteners are not advised as they can be risky to health.
2. Get Proper Nutrients
Get yourself proper nutrients.
The vitamins and minerals help with regular dental fluid flow.
The more you take these foods the fast your tooth decay will recover naturally.
Diet Chart for Better Mouth Health
The nutrient that you need to look for are:
- Vitamin A, D (D3), E and K (K1, K2) (the fat-soluble vitamins)
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Collagen
- Oral probiotics
- Mineral
Food containing these nutrients:
- Bone Broth
- Meat
- Fish, Eggs, Yolks Especially
- The Green Leafy Vegetables. Cook them or eat them raw. Just eat!
- Cheese
- Organic Grass-Fed Butter
- Goat, Cow Milk
- Kefir
- Apples, Pears, Avocado
- Carrots, Celery, Sweet Potatoes
- Oils Like Coconut, Avocado, Olives, And Fish Or Fermented Cod Liver Oil
- Almonds, Sprouted Nut, Seeds, And Beans
You can try delicious raw dairy like and expand your horizon. There many options for you.
3. Look Out for Phytic Acid
Phytic acid or phytate is another culprit that harms your teeth health. It blocks the mineral and inhibits the enzyme. Grains, nuts, seeds, and beans contain phytic acid.
Along with tooth decay, it also causes digestive disorders, appetite loss, nutrient deficiency, etc.
Because of fertilizers high in phosphate today we are facing this type of trouble.
Also, another cause is stopping the ancient cooking methods like sprouting and sourdough. These methods can lower the phytic acid level in foods.
That is why look for organic food.
4. Suiting Toothpaste
For brushing your teeth use remineralizing toothpaste. You can buy them from any drug store. Or can make one at home.
How to Make Homemade Remineralizing Toothpaste:
Recipe 1
In 4 tbsp of coconut oil add 2 tbsp of baking soda (aluminum-free). In it put 1 tbsp of xylitol or 1/8 tsp of stevia.
Drop 20 drops of clove essential oil or peppermint oil with 20 drops of trace minerals such as calcium or magnesium powder. Now stir well.
The density of baking soda will control the density of your toothpaste.
Your safe and calcifying toothpaste is ready. Now, brush!
Optional ingredients: essential oils for flavor (mint, cinnamon, and orange are all good), and myrrh.
5. Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is an ancient ayurvedic method. Recently, it has again gained popularity among people.
All you have to do is swish a tablespoon of oil in your mouth. The recommended time is 20 minutes. You can start with 5 minutes and then increase gradually. 3 minutes is also fine.
Relax as you do it with rhythm. Putting excess force may end up in sore jaw muscles.
Adding a drop or 2 of clove and/or tea tree essential oil in the carrier oil will bring more antiseptic and antifungal power. Pure virgin coconut oil or MCT oil is better.
Best time to do it is after waking up. Try to put this in your daily routine. You can do oil pulling while taking a bath or getting ready for the day.
After throwing it rinse with warm water immediately. Dissolving salt in the water can add antimicrobial properties.
The mixture you spit may come out milky white or yellow. So, do not worry.
Brush your teeth afterward.
6. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is famous for its magnate like toxin pulling activity.
The charcoal particle can literary pull out toxins, dirt, sugar, plaque and anything stuck to your teeth.
So, you can try to brush your teeth every couple of days with charcoal. Do it like normally you do brush your teeth. You can also use your finger to run it on your teeth. After washing it off with water brush with your toothpaste.
7. Sugarless Gums
Ironical but sugarless gums will help you to rebuild the strength.
As most sugarless gums have xylitol to sweeten it the ingredients are safe. and chewing is a kind of exercise for your mouth.
Also as you chew the gum saliva will form which is much needed to heal your teeth. It washes off the dirt.
Remineralization is not an easy process and you need to have patience while following all the rules.
What Causes Tooth Decay
There are many reasons behind it like
- Lack of oral hygiene
- Plaque
- Stuck food or sugar and sweet
- Acid reflux
- Dry mouth
- A hormone imbalance caused by birth control pills, prescription drugs, diabetes, autoimmune disease, and toxin exposure
Extra Tips to Take Care of Teeth and Prevent Tooth Decay
The followings are ABC of teeth care.
- Brush at least twice a day. The morning after waking up and the night before bed is the most recommended.
- Brush teeth with Fluoride In some cities, authority adds fluoride in water.
- Brush up and down and go circle all the way. Do not leave a corner.
- Brush gently either you will end up hurting the gums which are
- Gargle after eating.
- Some dentist will advise flossing before brushing as it helps to get rid of plaque and build up better. Be careful with toothpicks. Avoid them if possible.
- Clear your tongue too.
- Remove plaque and stuck food – a prophy appointment could be considered.
- Ask your dentist or oral hygienist for a sodium fluoride varnish. It will help strengthen your tooth enamel against erosive acids produced by bacteria.
- Remember, you have mouth wash too to take care of teeth, gums and bad breath. Opt for all natural. Also, go for high pH to promote alkalinity.
- Change brush after every 2 months.
- Have an appointment with the dentist at least twice a year
- Avoid triclosan, SLS, artificial colors
A powerful tip to keep teeth stain-free: Brush teeth with baking soda twice a month. For some people baking soda can be too strong to tackle. Please, fellas who cannot handle baking soda steer clear of it. Alternatively, you can ask your dentist or oral hygienist for a prophy paste appointment. Fine grade prophy paste is highly effective to get rid of dental plaques, tartar, and biofilm from your teeth.
Conclusion
Just like any other organs of our body, the tooth can also be protected. They just need some love and care. Please give that to them. Our teeth do a lot for us.
I’m sure you will not look the same without your teeth and you do not want to wear dentures.
So, get to your senses before you lose them.
Following the context in this article will not only prevent your tooth decay but you can follow them to keep your teeth healthy.
Let us know what is your favorite and effective teeth care routine.