How can you reverse tooth decay?
Tooth decay is no joke. It doesn’t take long before just a small amount of decay turns into a full-blown cavity and a lot worse. Untreated cavities can lead to a root canal, dental bridge, dental implant, tooth loss, and more.
There seem to be a lot of people who believe that tooth decay can actually be reversed. Today, we’re going to explore this a bit and then explain some dental care techniques that can be effective in reversing certain damage.
What Type of Tooth Decay Can Be Reversed?
If you’ve ever searched for dental tips online, then perhaps you’ve come across claims that certain homeopathic treatments can show you how to reverse tooth decay. Most of these claims are bogus, but it’s true that early tooth demineralization can be reversed. In other words, when enamel has been demineralized but a cavity hasn’t yet formed, it’s possible to remineralize the enamel. However, destroyed enamel can NOT be regrown.
Simple Techniques to Reverse Demineralization
If you have a tooth where the enamel has become demineralized, you’ll need to act fast to reverse it. The good news is that catching it early does give you a good chance at success. Here are some simple techniques that you should follow to reverse demineralization.
Daily Brushing
The most obvious way to reverse demineralization and avoid tooth decay in the first place is by brushing regularly. You should be brushing your teeth twice per day, preferably with a fluoride toothpaste, which will strengthen your enamel. This single daily task will help you avoid cavities, tooth loss, gum disease, and a variety of other dental problems.
Daily Flossing
Many people forget to floss every day, which is a big mistake. Flossing will help you get rid of food particles that get stuck between your teeth and can potentially cause severe dental problems. If the gaps between your teeth are small and you have trouble using floss, we’d recommend that you pick up a brand called Glide. Many patients have a lot of success with this particular type of floss.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants have often been thought of as a treatment for protecting kids’ teeth, but adults have increasingly gotten them done in recent years. These sealants form an invisible barrier to protect your teeth against decay. Although not 100% foolproof, dental sealants are approximately 80% effective in preventing cavities for the first two years after treatment and around 50% for the two years after that.
Fluoridated Water
Oral hygiene products that are fluoridated will help prevent cavities and reduce the mineralization of your enamel. You can go a step further and drink fluoridated water on a regular basis. Many places add fluoride to their tap water, but you also have the option of using a filtration system that does it for you. This will go a long way toward ensuring proper oral health.
Diet Changes
One of the best ways to reverse enamel mineralization and prevent tooth decay is to change your diet. Everyone knows that sugary foods and beverages will cause cavities. The same is often true with acidic items because the acid eats through enamel. Even if you’re not trying to lose weight, you should reduce your intake of these types of foods and beverages to keep your teeth healthy. You’ll see a very quick turn in both your oral health and overall health if you do this.
Schedule Regular Dentist Visits
Avoiding the dentist seems to be a tried-and-true tradition for millions of people across the country, but it’s a bad idea. You should at least be visiting the dentist twice per year so he or she can take a look at your teeth and find any potential problems. They’ll also be able to give you somewhat customized dental tips to help you avoid future issues.
Deep Cleanings
The general rule is that you should have a dental cleaning every six months. This will help keep your teeth and gums healthy. That being said, you should also consider a deep cleaning, which is much more thorough. This is typically recommended when you have problems with your teeth, but you can get a deep cleaning every once in a while for general dental health purposes.
Contact Dr. Ferullo to Learn How to Reverse Tooth Decay
Dr. Ferullo can show you how to reverse tooth decay when you catch it early enough. If you have any questions about our St. Petersburg dentist office or would like to schedule an appointment, call our office at (727) 822-8101 today. Be sure to ask about our free teeth-whitening services.
