Can you fix tooth decay?

As its name implies, a dental cavity is, quite simply, a hole in a tooth. Dental cavities result from the gradual decaying of the tooth. Many people don’t realize, however, that tooth decay can be halted and even reversed, with the proper treatment, to prevent cavities from forming in the first place. Understanding the causes of tooth decay is an important part of stopping it in its tracks. The human mouth is full of hundreds of different kinds of bacteria that live on our tongues, teeth, gum tissue, and elsewhere in the mouth. Many of these bacteria are beneficial, helping the mouth maintain a healthy balance. Some bacteria, however, like those that contribute to tooth decay, are harmful. When these harmful bacteria interact with the sugars found in many foods, they produce acids. As these acids develop, they can, over time, create a dental cavity, eating a hole in the enamel of a formerly healthy tooth.

All day, there is a battle being waged inside our mouths. Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that coats every human’s teeth, combines with foods and drinks that contain sugars and starches to produce acid. This acid then begins to gradually erode the tooth’s protective enamel. Minerals in human saliva, like calcium and phosphate, work in tandem with fluoride, which is found in toothpaste and drinking water, to help enamel repair itself by replacing the minerals acids remove from our teeth. This removal and replacement of minerals happens all day long, naturally, in everybody’s mouth. If a tooth is exposed to an excess of acid, which happens when a person’s diet is high in sugars and starches, this can significantly deplete the minerals in the teeth. Early signs of tooth decay, caused by this depletion of minerals, include white spots on the teeth. At this point, it is still possible to reverse tooth decay. Enamel is resilient and can self-repair with the minerals found in saliva, combined with fluoride. If efforts are not made to halt the process of tooth decay, however, more and more minerals are lost, weakening and ultimately destroying the tooth’s enamel and causing a cavity. Cavities cannot be reversed and must instead be repaired by a dentist, who will use a dental filling to fill the cavity and prevent further decay in that spot.

Ultimately, the best way to prevent tooth decay from developing into dental cavities is with the regular use of fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral that is beneficial for tooth enamel and can reverse tooth decay. Fluoride protects against the loss of minerals in tooth enamel, replaces lost minerals, and neutralizes the acids produced by bacteria combining with certain foods. Because of its importance in enhancing and maintaining people’s oral health, many municipal water supplies have fluoridated water; this means that simply drinking water from a municipal water supply is likely to contribute to the prevention of tooth decay. Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is also an effective way to counteract the effects of the acids that cause tooth decay. Your dentist may also provide supplemental fluoride, in the form of a fluoride gel that is applied directly to the teeth, fluoride tablets, or a fluoride mouth rinse. While drinking water is a very important part of overall health, dentists believe that bottled water does not provide sufficient fluoride; if you or your child consumes primarily bottled water, or water that does not come from a municipal water supply, your dentist may recommend one of these supplemental sources of fluoride. Especially in children, diet is also an important part of cavity prevention. Teaching children to limit between-meal snacks can help them avoid the accumulation of acid and allow the teeth time to repair themselves. Saving sugary foods and drinks, including fruit juices, for special occasions can also give the teeth time to replenish minerals. Most importantly, twice-daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, in addition to daily flossing, is a habit that children should form at a young age and maintain throughout their lifetime. Teach children to brush their teeth just before bedtime, as the mouth doesn’t produce sufficient saliva to neutralize acid production during sleep. If you have young children, be sure to teach them effective oral hygiene techniques, as directed by the American Dental Association. Ask your dentist for recommendations and guidelines. Many dentists also use dental sealants, which are thin layers that are painted onto the working surfaces of the teeth. Sealants can be beneficial, especially on the molars, as the chewing surfaces of these teeth are bumpy and pitted, making them particularly susceptible to trapped food debris and bacteria. Sealants prevent this food and bacteria from eating away at the tooth’s enamel by providing a protective coating. Some dentists recommend using sealants on children as soon as their permanent molars erupt, around the age of six. Your dentist can determine what is right for you and for your child at your routine examination. Your dentist will check for decay and any other issues, professionally clean the teeth and apply fluoride if required, and instruct you and your child on proper brushing techniques. These periodic examinations and the recommended daily care and treatment can help keep you and your family cavity free.

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