What are the best ways to prevent cavities? Cavities are tiny holes and openings that develop on the enamel. You can also call cavities “caries” or simply “tooth decay”. You may develop cavities for numerous reasons, such as frequent snacking, sugary drinks, and bacteria in the mouth. If you leave cavities untreated, you may develop an infection, toothache, and also tooth loss. In this article, you will learn techniques to prevent cavities from developing in your tooth.
Best Ways to Prevent Cavities
Many home treatments are available. These include Vitamin D as an ingredient. These remedies point toward a study suggesting that cavities are the result of a vitamin D deficiency. It also recorded that kids who eat a diet rich in Vitamin D develop strong teeth. Furthermore, their chances of developing cavities decrease. However, when they included grains in their diet, their chances of developing cavities increased. This may happen because grains stick to the teeth.
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Considering this study, we can say that consuming less Vitamin D increases your risk of suffering from a cavity. But, this is only one side of the coin. There are other risks of getting a cavity as well. These risks are:
- Bedtime infant feeding
- Eating sticky food such as candy
- The medical condition that reduces the development of saliva in the mouth keeping it dry
- Inadequate teeth cleaning
- Heartburn
- Frequent snacking and consuming sugary products such as cereals, soda, and ice cream
Once a cavity penetrates through the enamel and reaches the dentin, you cannot treat it at home. The only thing that you can do at home is prevention. Here are some remedies that prevent cavities from developing. Furthermore, these remedies can preserve your enamel’s durability. Let’s go through these preventions:
1. Sugar-free gum
You can re-mineralize the enamel by chewing sugar-free gum after every meal. Gums contain Xylitol, a chemical compound that stimulates the flow of your saliva. This raises the pH of plaque, reducing S. mutans. Streptococcus mutans, or S. mutans is a type of bacteria that contributes to tooth decay. However, sugar-free gum is more effective than normal gum as it contains another compound called phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate. The compound is better than Xylitol in reducing S. mutans.
2. Vitamin D
Consuming products enriched in vitamin D will keep your teeth healthier. It helps absorb calcium and phosphate, making the enamel stronger. There is an obvious relation between Vitamin D and the strength of enamel. Furthermore, Vitamin D has an inverse relation with cavities. So if you consume products containing calcium and Vitamin D, such as yogurt, your chances of a growing cavity will decrease. The sun is also a great source of Vitamin D. Research indicates that Vitamin D is good for dental health.
3. Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride is an amazing component that prevents enamel from re-mineralizing enamel and developing cavities. Numerous researches suggest that regularly brushing the teeth with fluoride toothpaste protects them from cavities. The participants in these studies were both infants and adults.
4. Sugary Products
You may not like this remedy, but consuming more sugar increases the risk of cavities. According to WHO, eating more sugar puts you at risk of cavities. They also stated that people should reduce their sugar consumption. When sugar enters your mouth, it prevents the enamel from re-mineralizing. However, when you increase sugar, your teeth become weaker.
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5. Oil pulling
Oil pulling is not a new technique, but numerous civilizations have practiced this technique for ages. This technique involves swishing oil in your mouth. You need to take some oil, such as coconut or sesame, and keep it in for 20 minutes. The oil will remove toxins from your body. While there is no evidence that this procedure works, many people still use it to clean their teeth. Oil pulling can help in alleviating gingivitis, plaque, and numbers of bacteria in the mouth.
Best Ways to Prevent Cavities: Conclusion
Numerous dental problems do not show any symptoms, such as pain. Therefore, you need to visit a professional doctor for a regular checkup. Furthermore, you can try these remedies and check for yourself if they work. But if you develop a cavity, the best thing to do is visit an endodontist.
An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in performing complex dental procedures, such as root canals. If you feel extended pain and sensation in your teeth when you drink something hot or cold, you should visit our clinic. Here, you can consult with some of the top endodontists in NYC. They will diagnose the condition and recommend the best treatments.
Call us now at 646-205-3045 to discuss your dental issues with an expert at Bryant Park Endodontics.
Bryant Park Endodontics
Young Bui, DDS
30 East 40th Street Suite 1201
New York, NY 10016
646-205-3045
Sources
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/how-to-get-rid-of-cavities#home-treatments
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-20352892
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/tooth-decay-prevention