How to Get Rid of Tooth Decay: Do Home Remedies Work?

How to Get Rid of Tooth Decay: Do Home Remedies Work?

From a young age, your dentist will remind you that the health of your teeth starts with regular brushing and flossing. Unfortunately, despite your best intentions, it is likely that you will develop a cavity at some point in your life. According to German health insurance companies, 90% of adults aged 20 and over have had tooth decay at least once.

Tooth decay is not the end of the world, but you need to seek immediate treatment from your dentist. Anne Clemons, DMD, explains the best way to keep your teeth in good shape and why there are no home remedies for tooth decay.

Can you get rid of tooth decay at home?

The short answer is no, and removing cavities at home is not recommended. In fact, it's not even possible, especially if the decay has progressed beyond the hard outer enamel layer of the tooth into the softer dentin underneath.

You can almost imagine the progression of tooth decay as if Pac-Man was eating power pellets. “The more sugar and carbohydrates the bacteria eat, the more acid they secrete and destroy the tooth,” says Dr. Clemons. "The larger the hole gets, the more likely you are to need a filling. If the hole gets closer to the pulp chamber, a root canal may be necessary.

She continues: “If the decay is so large that it extends into the dentin, the inner surface of the tooth, it is impossible to get rid of.

“In addition, caries progresses more quickly on this tooth surface, so you should not wait to see a dentist for treatment.

Dr. But Clemons also says that if you have small cavities that have barely penetrated the tooth enamel - also known as "watch" or "incipient caries" - you can take steps to prevent them from getting bigger.

"If it is between the teeth, dentists recommend flossing regularly, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and possibly using a fluoride mouthwash to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent the cavity from becoming larger," she explains. "But once the cavity is larger than a watch-glass lesion, it is more difficult to maintain it at that size. It will likely get larger over time."

For older adults who have a lot of tooth decay - especially around their crowns - or for young children whose baby teeth are about to fall out, Dr. Clemons occasionally uses silver diamine fluoride (SDF).

“This stops tooth decay,” she continues. "The downside is that it turns the tooth really black, which is not very aesthetically pleasing. That's why we only use it for certain applications. It's also not suitable for larger or specific areas of tooth decay because we can't fully penetrate the space, especially between the teeth.

Debunked tooth decay removal methods

If you browse the Internet, you will find many people claiming they know how to remove tooth decay at home. Unfortunately, Dr. Clemons that the methods they suggest don't work.

Oil pulling

Although oil pulling — or swishing coconut oil around your mouth — isn't harmful, it won't get rid of cavities. “It won’t help,” says Dr. Clemons. "A cavity is a hole in your tooth. You can't fill it by sloshing coconut oil back and forth or using any DIY method you find online.

Additional intake of vitamin D

As a child, it is important to get enough calcium and vitamin D to keep your bones strong and growing. As an adult, taking extra vitamins doesn't necessarily help your teeth. “A tooth is like a bone, but it is not structured exactly like a bone,” explains Dr. Clemons. "Also, teeth develop when you are very young. By the time you are an adult, they are fully formed. They will no longer grow or develop. We cannot rely on vitamins or supplements to strengthen teeth or fight tooth decay."

Sugar-free chewing gum

While sugar-free gum won't help prevent tooth decay, it does have other benefits, including keeping you from snacking and eating carbohydrates. “If you have a sweet tooth and need something in your mouth, sugar-free gum is a good alternative because you have no carbs or sugar in your mouth,” she recommends.

How to prevent tooth decay the right way

In addition to brushing and flossing daily, Dr. Clemons these tips for healthier teeth:

Try not to snack so often

“If we have a patient who has a lot of tooth decay, we talk about the frequency of their meals,” she says. "If a patient consumes snacks or drinks (that are not water) frequently throughout the day, the bacteria can use these carbohydrates and acids throughout the day to form cavities. As a rule of thumb, stick to three meals per day and try to limit snacks.

Brush your teeth after snacking

If you are prone to an afternoon snack, be sure to brush your teeth immediately afterward. “You want to eliminate the food source for the bacteria,” explains Dr. Clemons. "You want to get your mouth back to a neutral pH, rather than an acidic pH where the bacteria thrive and produce more acid."

Chew sugar-free gum

Sugar-free chewing gum not only stops you from snacking, but also stimulates your salivation. “Saliva protects teeth from the formation of tooth decay,” says Dr. Clemons. “It has a neutral pH, and cavity-causing bacteria are more active in an acidic environment.

Don't just rely on mouthwash to clean your teeth

Simply swishing a little mouthwash in your mouth and calling it a day is not a sure way to prevent tooth decay. Instead, you need to make sure that you remove all the food and plaque that has built up between your teeth.

“Mouthwash can be a helpful adjunct for some patients, but it is not a replacement for brushing and flossing,” emphasizes Dr. Clemons. “Mouthwash cannot do the job of physically removing plaque and bacteria.

Visit the dentist regularly

If you feel like you are developing cavities, you should see a dentist sooner rather than later. Allowing tooth decay to progress can lead to bigger problems.

"It can get to the point where one day you're in so much pain that you can't sleep at night, and that pain radiates into your jaw," says Dr. Clemons. "And then the cavity has probably reached the pulp of the tooth, where the nerve and blood supply are. This can be painful. A dentist is usually called and must be seen immediately so that either a root canal can be carried out or the tooth can be extracted."

The best way to avoid such a moment is to go to the dentist for check-ups twice a year, brush at least twice a day, floss daily and see Dr. Follow Clemons’ tips for healthy teeth.
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