Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Tooth decay is a condition in which small holes develop over time, when the enamel layer that protects teeth is eroded by acids and bacteria. When the enamel is gone, the small holes continue to grow into the teeth and lead to "cavities". If left untreated, the worm site will eat up to the root canal, including nerves and blood vessels. The only way to get rid of the cavity gap is to fill it. However, there are steps you should take to prevent tooth decay from developing until you can see your dentist.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Prevent cavities from developing

1. 

   Carefully clean the affected area. In theory, brushing can prevent tooth decay, but once cavities are in place, brushing plays an important role in preventing larger openings. Food plaque causes bacteria to multiply, they enter the fissure and make the condition worse. Focus on cleaning the area around the opening to remove leftovers and keep cavities from growing.
   • Use a soft bristle brush and do not press too hard while moving. Gently move the brush back and forth for at least 2 minutes.
   • Brush your teeth twice daily and after eating. It's important to keep your mouth clean once you have a cavity opening, as plaque starts to form within 20 minutes of eating.

2. 

   
   
   Look for symptoms of tooth decay. Tooth decay is very slow and sometimes the opening can persist and develop without showing any symptoms. That's why it's important to have regular dental check-ups. There are some signs that the gap is forming or has occupied most of the teeth. If you see any of the following symptoms, you should see your dentist, but you can take steps while you wait to see your dentist to prevent the gap from growing.
   • White spots on teeth. This can be an early sign of cavities or fluorosis, the white spot where the acid has eaten up the mineral part of the tooth enamel.At this point, the condition is still reversible, so you should take action immediately if you see such signs.
   • Sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity usually occurs after consuming sweet, hot or cold foods or drinks. Sensitivity is not entirely a sign of cavities and many people have sensitive teeth while the condition is normal. However, if you have never had tooth sensitivity in the past, and suddenly experience this sensation when you consume certain foods or drinks, this could be a sign of concern.
   • Pain when biting.
   • Toothache. When the gap develops to the point of affecting the nerve of the tooth, you will feel a constant ache in that tooth, the pain is worse when eating or drinking. Teething can also happen spontaneously with no impact.
   • There are visible holes on the teeth. This is a sign that the decay is heavy and the gap has eroded the teeth a lot.
   • The cleft can persist and enlarge over time without showing symptoms.

3. 

   
   
   Treatment with fluoride. Fluoride is bacteriostatic, which means it inhibits bacteria from multiplying in the mouth, and also enhances tooth stiffness by re-mineralizing tooth enamel and helping to fight tooth decay. If the gap is detected early, then fluoride treatment could reverse the situation. Fluoride supplements are sold without a prescription, but to get a stronger product you must have a doctor prescribe it. The best solution is to use a specialized topical fluoride product prescribed by your dentist, but there are also some products you can use while you wait for your dental appointment.
   • Toothpaste fluoride. Most of these toothpaste are sold over-the-counter and have a sodium fluoride content of 1000-1500 ppm. Dentists may prescribe a fluoride supplemental toothpaste that contains approximately 5000 ppm sodium fluoride.
   • Fluoride mouthwash. You can use these mouthwashes on a daily basis, they typically contain between 225-1000 ppm sodium fluoride. Look for water that has the American Dental Association (ADA) stamp of certification to make sure it has been tested and rated.
   • Gel contains fluoride. This gel is viscous and will stay on your teeth for a longer time. Use by squeezing the gel onto the tray and then smoothing it over your teeth.

4. 

   
   
   Drink water. Dry mouths can speed up cavities because the bacteria that cause cavities build up in the mouth. Always keep your mouth wet to stop this process and rinse off any excess food plaque that causes cavities to worsen.
   • If the mouth stays dry despite drinking a lot of water, this is likely a symptom of another more serious illness, or caused by prescription medication. Let your doctor know if dry mouth persists.

5. 

   Chew sugar-free gum that contains xylitol. Xylitol is a natural alcohol extracted from plants, it has antibacterial properties and is used to prevent infections. Gum contains 1-20 grams of xylitol, which has the effect of destroying bacteria that cause tooth decay. If you suspect that you have a cavity gap, you should chew gum containing xylitol while waiting for your dental visit.
   • Look for chewing gum that has the ADA stamp. This is to make sure you don't buy poor quality candies by mistake and make tooth decay worse.
   • Chewing gum also stimulates saliva production, helping to wash away food plaque and keeping enamel firm.

6. 

   Gargle with salt water. Saline is antiseptic and is often recommended by dentists when it comes to treating a wound or infection in the mouth. Salt water also has the ability to destroy and inhibit bacteria that cause tooth decay while waiting for dental treatment.
   • Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water.
   • Drink a full gulp and rinse the water in your mouth for 1 minute. Focus on the tooth decay.
   • Gargle three times a day.

7. 

   Brush your teeth with licorice root. Although there is no in-depth research on this, there is evidence that licorice root can prevent and inhibit tooth decay. Licorice root can kill bacteria that cause tooth decay and reduce inflammation. This is a way to treat yourself at home to minimize the growth of the gap if you are not planning on seeing the dentist right away.
   • Some brands of toothpaste have licorice root ingredients. If you can't buy this cream, you can buy licorice root powder and mix it with toothpaste.
   • Be sure to buy licorice extract that has removed glycyrrhiza (DGL), which is a compound that causes quite serious and unpleasant side effects.
   • Always consult your doctor before using licorice root. Licorice root can interact with a number of medications, including ACE inhibitors, insulin, MAO inhibitors, and oral birth control pills. It also causes a number of health problems for people with diseases like liver or kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease or hormone-sensitive cancers.

8. 

   Avoid consuming refined sugar. Cavities are caused by acid-producing bacteria, which thrive in an acidic environment. This strain of bacteria relies on the amount of sugar left in food plaque, which is why you should limit your intake of sweet foods and beverages. If possible, brush your teeth after eating.
   • Starchy foods like potatoes, bread, and pasta also provide a favorable environment for acid-producing bacteria to thrive. Limit your intake of refined simple carbohydrates, and brush your teeth after eating.
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Part 2 of 3: Meeting with a dentist treating tooth decay

1. 

   Discuss treatment with your dentist. Depending on the degree of tooth decay they will suggest different treatment options. You can ask if you are not sure about treatment procedures.

2. 

   Treat with specialized products containing fluoride. If the opening is still small, the dentist will usually not use invasive treatment and only recommend applying fluoride products to the teeth and leaving it on for a few minutes. Chloride helps restore enamel in the cavity and if treatment is done early, the teeth can be re-mineralized.
   • This treatment only takes a few minutes, but you will not be able to eat or drink for at least 30 minutes after completion for the fluoride to penetrate deeply into your teeth.

3. 

   Fillings if recommended by dentist. Cavities are often found when it is too late for the fluoride to be effective, and then you need a filling. Filling is done by drilling the cavity out of the tooth, then the dentist fills the void with a material.
   • Usually they use ceramic or composite resin to fill the gap, especially for the anterior teeth. These are the top choices because they are similar in color to the natural color of teeth.
   • For filling inside the dentist, you can use silver or gold alloys because they are harder. Plaque also often builds up more on the innermost teeth.

4. 

   Talk to your dentist about root canal if the worm has eaten into the pulp. They will remove the affected pulp, use an antiseptic that kills the bacteria, and then fill it with a material. This is often the last resort before having a tooth extracted.
   • Normally, after taking root marrow you will have to cover the crown (like a "hat" for the teeth).

5. 

   Consider having an extraction if the damage caused by caries is too severe to be reversed. Then the dentist will have to pull out the tooth decay. After extraction, you can implant dentures to create aesthetics and prevent neighboring teeth from moving. advertisement

Part 3 of 3: Prevent tooth decay

1. 

   Brush your teeth twice a day. Use a soft bristle brush and change to a new one every 3-4 months. To ensure effective brushing techniques you should follow the guidelines of the American Dental Association.
   • Hold the brush at an angle of 45 degrees from the gumline. Plaque often builds up along the gum line.
   • Gently move the brush back and forth with a short push, each push should be as long as the width of a tooth.
   • Rub both the outside and the inside of the teeth.
   • Hit continuously for about two minutes.
   • Finally, scrub your tongue. Not scrubbing your tongue also means you have missed a lot of bacteria and they will spread all over your mouth as soon as you are done hitting.
   • Brush your teeth at least twice a day.

2. 

   Floss your teeth every day. Along with brushing teeth, dental hygiene with dental floss also plays a very important role in oral health. You should clean your teeth at least once a day, although ideally twice. Follow these simple steps to ensure proper dental hygiene.
   • Use about 46 cm of floss.Wrap most of the length around the middle finger on one hand, with the rest wrapped around the middle finger of the other hand.
   • Grasp the thread between your thumb and index finger, then pull it back and forth between your teeth.
   • When only touching the gum line, shape the thread into a "C" to follow the tooth shape.
   • Hold the thread firmly against the tooth and move it up and down gently.
   • Repeat the entire process with the remaining teeth.
   • Alternate use of new sections in the process.
   • If your teeth are too tight, choose a wax-only or "easier slip" one. Dental floss is also a useful product that you can use, but it's important to floss regularly every day.

3. 

   Use a mouthwash that is certified by the American Dental Association. Some mouthwashes only work to fill bad breath without destroying bacteria and also cannot remove the plaque that causes bad breath and tooth decay. When purchasing you should choose a water that has an ADA-certified seal, which indicates that the product has been tested and approved by the ADA for its ability to remove plaque.Click here for a full list of mouthwash ADA certified.
   • Make sure to buy the right mouthwash that can remove plaque, fight gums and tooth decay, and reduce bad breath.
   • There are many types of mouthwash that contain little or no alcohol but are still good for your oral health. If you can't stand the "hot" feeling caused by traditional mouthwash, look for this one.

4. 

   Maintain a healthy diet for your teeth. What you eat has a huge impact on your oral health. Some foods are good for teeth, while others should only be consumed limited or avoided entirely.
   • Eat foods rich in fiber. Fiber helps remove plaque from teeth, stimulates saliva production, removes harmful acids and enzymes from teeth. Fiber is found in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain products.
   • Eat dairy products. Unsweetened milk, cheese and yogurt also stimulate saliva production. They also contain calcium which is an ingredient that enhances the quality of tooth enamel.
   • Drink tea. The nutrients in green and black tea help break down plaque and limit the growth of bacteria. Brewing tea with water containing fluoride doubles the nutrient content of your teeth.
   • Avoid sugary foods and drinks. Sugar causes plaque and bacteria to grow faster, which is the cause of tooth decay. So you must limit your consumption of candies and soft drinks as much as possible. If you want to eat sweet foods, you should eat them with meals and drink plenty of water. This will make your mouth produce more saliva, which will help wash away the sugar, reducing the growth of acids and bacteria.
   • Brush your teeth after eating starchy foods. Foods like potatoes and corn are easily stuck between your teeth, so brush your teeth after you eat to avoid tooth decay.

5. 

   Avoid acidic drinks. Soft drinks, alcohol and even fruit juices are all acidic and can promote the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay. You should only use these in moderation, or quit altogether.
   • The biggest culprits are sports drinks like Gatorade, energy drinks like Red Bull and soda like Coke. The carbon dioxide in these drinks causes teeth to erode more quickly.
   • Drink a lot of water. Gargle after drinking acidic drinks.
   • Remember, 100% pure fruit juice also contains sugar, so dilute it with water at a 1: 1 ratio, especially for children. Limit your consumption and rinse your mouth after drinking fruit juice.

6. 

   Periodic dental examination. Usually, dentists ask patients to re-examine every 6 months. You should follow this exam schedule to ensure a healthy oral health. Each visit will clean the mouth completely, removing the plaque that has accumulated in the previous months. They also check for signs of cavities, gum disease, or any other possible problem.
   • The dentist can detect very small openings as soon as they appear. If found early, they can easily treat tooth decay without using an invasive procedure.
   • For example, lifestyle changes, proper oral hygiene and fluoride treatment are enough to eliminate small cavities. This method stimulates the natural "re-mineralization" of teeth.
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Advice

• A typical dental hygiene routine usually involves tartar removal, polishing and fluoride cleaning.

Warning

• See a dentist if you think you have cavities. Preventing cavities from growing is the right idea, but the only way to get rid of cavities is to get treatment from your dentist.
• You may not find that you have cavities because it doesn't always have symptoms, so you should have a regular check-up.