How to Naturally Reverse Cavities and Heal Tooth Decay?

Teeth, just like any other part of your body, require your attention and proper care. If you don’t like or don’t want to visit the dentist, you can try to prevent dental decay on your own.

There are so simple and natural tricks that you can adopt to prevent tooth decay and even reverse cavities.

Clean and Change Your Toothbrush Regularly

Important things to note and comply upon

• Always pick a small or a medium-sized brush, and make sure that its bristles can reach into the crevices of your molar teeth where food remains can hide after you eat.
• Don’t use covers for your toothbrush because they may harbour microorganisms and bacteria. Instead, just rinse your brush with water after each use, and leave it to air dry.
• Don’t leave your brush in the same room as your toilet since faecal bacteria can end up on it.
• Change your toothbrush regularly because its bristles deteriorate with time and usage. As a result, you don’t clean your teeth as well as with a new toothbrush.

Change Your Eating Habits

Switching to a healthy diet not only helps in maintaining your body but also boosts your health. A study published in The British Medical Journal suggested that a change in diet can actually reverse tooth decay.

The consumption of products rich in sugar leads to teeth decay and that phytic acid can block the absorption of calcium.

So, what should we do and what should we focus on? Here are some important tips.

• Get more calcium. It’s the main building component of your bones and teeth. Eat dairy products every day (milk, yoghurt, sour cream, and cheese).
• Drink unsweetened beverages. Avoid drinking sodas, juices, and fizzy drinks. You can try simple water, fruit smoothies, and unsweetened tea.
• Water has a lot of good effects on your body including increased hydration and a higher flow of saliva.

Chew Sugarless Gum

Surprised, it might sound ironic, but chewing sugarless gum can actually help you prevent tooth decay.

Most sugarless gums contain a component called xylitol, which is a natural sweetener. Unlike food, xylitol does not lead to the growth of bacteria in your mouth. Plus, when you chew, your mouth fills with saliva that can naturally wash off food remains.

Add Supplements and Vitamins to Your Diet

It is another way to help your saliva fight dental plaque. Vitamins are essential for establishing the good health of your teeth. So, what should you do?

• To promote salivation, you need to consume a lot of foods rich in fiber such as fruits, nuts, and vegetables. The best ones are apples, bananas, Brussels sprouts, and peas.
• Eat whole grain foods. They contain a lot of vitamin B and iron. In addition, whole grains contain magnesium, a mineral that helps absorb calcium and strengthen your teeth.
• Eat seafood more often if you want to get more vitamin D from your meals. Salmon, herrings, canned tuna, and sardines are a great source of vitamin D.

Follow a Basic Dental Care Routine

If you want to protect your teeth from early decay, include the following steps in your dental care routine in the morning and before going to bed.

• Brush your teeth for 2 minutes at least twice a day. Try to brush all the surfaces of your teeth, reaching out to the farthest corners.
• Floss your teeth. Sometimes even brushing doesn’t work as well as flossing. Use floss to pull out any remaining food from underneath your gums, and try to get to the germs that are stuck there.
• Use mouthwash. Any mouthwash has an antibacterial effect and helps you get rid of any remaining bacteria in your mouth. Don’t rinse your mouth with water — the effect will last longer.

Visit Your Dentist for Regular Cleanings

No matter how well you brush or floss your teeth, there will always be areas that are hard to reach.

A dentist will clean near the gum line on the back and front of your teeth to remove any plaque and tartar.

Regular cleaning is a very important step in the fight against cavities. Many people say that they enjoy cleanings and the lovely smooth feel of their teeth afterwards.

Make sure that you book an appointment at least once or twice a year.

Coconut Oil Pulling

Want to know another good way to use coconut oil, try coconut pulling to naturally protect your teeth from decay. 

The oil pulls bacteria out of your teeth and naturally heals them.

Simply swish a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for 20 minutes until your saliva and the oil turn a milky white colour. Don’t swallow it. It’s so simple yet so effective!

Oil pulling does not reverse the effects of tooth decay, but it helps prevent cavities.

By the way, it works twice as effectively alongside brushing and flossing.

Make Your Own Remineralizing Toothpaste

This simple toothpaste recipe requires only a few natural ingredients that you can buy from every store.

Since you make it yourself, you can be sure that all the components are natural and won’t harm your health. You’ll need the following ingredients to make the toothpaste:

• 4 tbsp calcium powder
• 1 tbsp stevia
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup coconut oil

Mix all the ingredients until you get a paste. It should be even with no crumbs. Use it as a substitute for your regular toothpaste.

Remember: Don’t use this toothpaste for more than 30 days in a row due to its abrasive structure and absence of fluoride.

Do you know any other tricks that might help prevent teeth decay? Share your ideas and experience in the comments.

Cover Photo Courtesy: Image © costculator/Dentist