If cavities aren’t treated, they get larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth. They can lead to a severe toothache, infection and tooth loss. Regular dental visits and good brushing and flossing habits are your best protection against cavities and tooth decay.
Q. Is it possible to reverse tooth decay?
A cavity can usually be reversed if it’s caught at the onset or early stages of the demineralization process, the first step of tooth decay. During this stage, good oral hygiene is imperative to restoring the minerals in your teeth and halting decay.
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Q. What is the fastest way to cure tooth decay?
Some of these remedies include:
- Oil pulling. Oil pulling originated in an ancient system of alternative medicine called Ayurveda.
- Aloe vera. Aloe vera tooth gel may help to fight off bacteria that cause cavities.
- Avoid phytic acid.
- Vitamin D.
- Avoid sugary foods and drinks.
- Eat licorice root.
- Sugar-free gum.
Q. Can I fill my own cavity?
Although you can fill your own cavity at a lower cost than your dentist will charge, it’s not the best solution. Without cleaning out an infection and sanitizing the tooth, you’re only sealing the damage inside. An advanced cavity will lead to an infection that requires root canal treatment.
Q. What can I use to fill a tooth cavity?
Today, several dental filling materials are available. Teeth can be filled with gold; porcelain; silver amalgam (which consists of mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc, and copper); or tooth-colored, plastic, and materials called composite resin fillings.
Q. How can I temporarily fill a cavity at home?
Here’s how: Clean it out thoroughly, and either buy paste in a drugstore or mix your own with Vaseline and corn starch. “Mix it to be a pretty thick paste,” he says. Then, put the paste in the crown, place it on the tooth, and bite down gently until it’s seated. “Wipe off extra glue that will seep out,” he says.