Throughout our lives, our teeth are constantly under attack. Harmful bacteria feed on food particles in the mouth, particularly sugar. This leads to the creation ofby-products that wear away at the surface of teeth and ultimately cause tooth decay.
However, there is another challenge that’s just as serious: Dental erosion.
When we eat acidic foods of any kind, tooth enamel temporarily softens and loses some of its important minerals. Within a few hours, saliva naturally restores the pH balance of the mouth. However, during this time, the enamel is at particular risk of permanent damage.
Dental erosion can be prevented by adjusting diet to avoid acidic foods. Acid attacks can also be reduced by finishing a meal with cheese or milk; two items that can help restore pH balance more quickly. Some sugar-free gums can help by naturally stimulating saliva production after eating.
To reduce enamel damage, wait at least an hour after a meal before you brush your teeth.
Can Tooth Enamel Be Restored?
Once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be brought back. However, weakened enamel can be restored to some degree by improving its mineral content. Although toothpastes and mouthwashes can never “rebuild” teeth, they can contribute to this remineralization process.
Remineralization introduces minerals, especially calcium, to the teeth. These minerals bond to the surface of the teeth and are drawn to weak points in the enamel. This is especially effective in cases of dental erosion, since tooth surfaces mightbe weakened without being cracked or chipped.
Enamel’s chief ingredient is calcium phosphate, also known ashydroxyaptite. Products with high concentrations of calcium phosphate or with fluoride, a common additive, are best at helping teeth to remineralize naturally before damage exceeds the point of no return.
How to Stop Tooth Decay in Madison, WI: See a Dentist
Each day, there are many opportunities to combat tooth decay through brushing, flossing, using mouthwashand even changing diet habits. However, a dentist’s help can be essential in both protecting teeth and restoring those that have already sustained damage.
There are two popular options for rebuilding tooth structure:
- Tooth Bonding:Attaching tooth-colored composite resin to chipped or cracked areas
- Tooth Crown:Covering damaged enamel to protect it and strengthen the tooth overall.
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Dental Health Associates has been helpingrestore teethin Madisonwith our conveniently located clinics inSun Prairie,Fitchburg, andMiddleton.
FAQs
Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva, and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. But if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity. A cavity is permanent damage that a dentist has to repair with a filling.
Can decayed teeth be fixed naturally? ›
Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva, and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. But if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity. A cavity is permanent damage that a dentist has to repair with a filling.
Is there a natural way to stop tooth decay? ›
Good oral hygiene like regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings with a dentist can prevent and reverse cavities. Using fluoride is a tried and tested way to prevent decay and cavities. High-fluoride toothpaste or direct fluoride application helps remineralize the tooth enamel and prevent cavities.
How do I stop my teeth from rotting anymore? ›
A dentist can prescribe fluoride treatments like mouthwash or varnish to reverse early tooth decay. You'll probably need a filling if you have a hole (cavity) in your tooth. If tooth decay has reached the soft tissue (pulp) in the middle of your tooth, you may need root canal treatment.
How to rebuild tooth enamel naturally? ›
6 Tips on How to Remineralize Teeth
- Increase Saliva Production. One of the most effective ways to repair tooth enamel is to maximize the amount of saliva you produce. ...
- Drink More Water. ...
- Use a Remineralizing Toothpaste. ...
- Chew Sugar-Free Gum. ...
- Eat a Remineralization Diet. ...
- Dodge Acidic Drinks.
When decay reaches the inner material of your tooth, called the pulp, you may need a root canal. This is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth instead of removing it. The diseased tooth pulp is removed. Medicine is sometimes put into the root canal to clear any infection.
How to fix rotten teeth without a dentist? ›
It is usually recommended to increase the intake of mineral-rich meats and vegetables, bone broth and healthy fats. Diet rich in gelatin and magnesium may also help heal rotten teeth. Fish oil, olive oil and seafood are high in fat-soluble vitamins, so it is good to include these in your diet during tooth healing.
What destroys tooth decay? ›
Fluoride. In the very early stages of tooth decay, fluoride treatments can repair damaged enamel — a process called remineralization. This can reverse the early signs of cavities. You may need prescription toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as fluoride treatments at the dental office.
How do you rebuild decaying teeth? ›
If identified early, dentin decay may be treated with a filling. In more advanced cases, placement of a crown may be required. A crown is a covering that covers the top portion of your tooth above the gums (also called the crown of the tooth). The decayed area is removed before the crown is placed.
What can I drink to stop tooth decay? ›
Four drinks that won't damage your teeth
- Water. It should come as no surprise that water is the best drink when it comes to both your oral and general health. ...
- Milk. Milk is packed with calcium, a mineral that is naturally found in the teeth. ...
- Tea. ...
- Low-sugar vegetable juices.
Is it possible to reverse or stop a cavity from getting worse? Weakened enamel or the early stage of tooth decay can still be saved and reversed by replenishing the lost minerals in the tooth enamel. However, once the bacteria reaches the dentin, it becomes a point of no return.
Why do my teeth rot so easily? ›
Not cleaning your teeth well, snacking a lot and sipping sugary drinks are the main causes of cavities. Cavities are areas in the hard surface of your teeth that are damaged. These areas of tooth decay become tiny openings or holes that can lead to a serious toothache, infection and tooth loss.
Can you remineralize a cavity? ›
Yes, in some cases, a forming cavity, also known as early stage tooth decay or enamel demineralization, can be reversed or stopped through remineralization. Remineralization involves depositing essential minerals like calcium and phosphate back into your teeth by using nano hydroxyapatite toothpaste.
Does baking soda remineralize teeth? ›
Lacks Remineralization
One significant drawback of using baking soda as your primary toothpaste is its lack of nano hydroxyapatite, a critical mineral for dental health. The American Dental Association confirms that remineralization is necessary to tackle tooth decay.
How to remineralize teeth holistic? ›
Brushing with fluoride toothpaste, cutting out sugar, and making sure you're getting enough calcium and vitamins in your diet are just some ways to reduce mineral loss in your tooth enamel. Minerals such as calcium and phosphate help make up tooth enamel, along with bone and dentin.
What mineral rebuilds teeth? ›
Phosphorus plays a critical role in dental health because it can naturally help protect and help rebuild tooth enamel. The best sources of phosphorus can be found in protein-rich foods like meat, poultry, fish, and eggs.
Can decaying teeth be reversed? ›
Tooth decay is only reversible in the beginning stages when it has only affected the enamel or the hard outer protective coating of the tooth. Once tooth decay has progressed through the enamel into the softer, inner part of the tooth, it is irreversible.
What happens if a decayed tooth is not removed? ›
Bacterial Infection
If left untreated, this cavity can become larger and deeper, allowing bad bacteria to reach the soft tissue inside of your tooth, called the pulp. Once the pulp is infected, it can spread to the root of your tooth and beyond. This can cause a painful abscess and extensive damage to your oral health.
How do you treat a badly decayed tooth? ›
Treatments include dental fillings, root canal therapy and tooth extraction. The sooner you treat a cavity, the better your chance for a predictable outcome and optimal oral health.
Are rotten teeth savable? ›
In the initial stages of decay, teeth can be saved through various diet choices and oral care routines. However, once decay progresses, rotting teeth can only be saved through dental procedures.
