Can you get rid of a cavity without a filling?
By
Dr Shivam Jha
This blogpost will answer the question Can you get rid of a cavity without a filling? And will include the following topics: What are cavities?
What causes cavities?
Getting rid of cavities at home
The Issue with At-Home Remedies
Risks of Untreated Cavities
How to Get Rid Of Cavities the Right Way
Seeing a dentist
How do you prevent cavities?
Can you get rid of a cavity without a filling?
No, you cannot get rid of a cavity without a filling.in rare cases you may be able to reverse a cavity only if it is caught at a very early stage. But once a caity has formed it needs to be treated by a dentist.
What are cavities?
Cavities are holes in teeth that are also known as tooth decay or caries. They develop when acids wear down the hard surface of the teeth.
Tooth decay begins on the hard outer surface of the tooth, known as the enamel. It eventually reaches the dentin, the inner layer of the tooth. The tooth loses minerals (demineralization) in the first stage, resulting in white spots.
This is when decay has damaged the tooth’s enamel but has not yet reached the dentin. However, once the decay advances and reaches the dentin, the teeth must undergo professional treatment.
What causes cavities?
Caries, or dental cavities, are small holes in the hard surface of the teeth. They are caused by bacteria on the surface of the teeth that produce acid from sugar. Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria, is the most prevalent cause.
Plaque is a sticky coating formed by the bacteria. Plaque acids destroy minerals from (demineralize) your enamel, which is a calcium and phosphate-based layer on your teeth. This erosion creates microscopic holes in the enamel. A cavity arises when the acid damage penetrates into the dentin layer underneath the enamel.
Getting rid of cavities at home
Many home remedies are based on research that claims that a lack of vitamin D in the diet causes cavities. In this study, children who increased their vitamin D intake had fewer cavities. Those who increased vitamin D to their diets while also eliminating grain products had the highest effects. This is probably due to the fact that grains can stick to the teeth.
Vitamin D deficiency may make teeth more prone to cavities, but we now know that this is only one component of the picture. Other variables that might cause cavities include:
Dry mouth or having a medical condition that reduces the amount of saliva in the mouth.
Eating foods that cling to teeth, like candy and sticky foods
Frequent snacking on sugary foods or drinks, like soda, cereals, and ice cream
Heartburn (due to acid)
Inadequate cleaning of teeth
Bedtime infant feeding
Once a cavity has penetrated the dentin, you won’t be able to get rid of it at home. The following home remedies might help prevent cavities or treat “pre-cavities” by remineralizing weakened areas of your enamel before a cavity develops:
Sugar-free gum
Clinical research has demonstrated that chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help remineralize enamel. Gum containing xylitol has been widely studied for its capacity to increase saliva flow, elevate plaque pH, and decrease S. mutans.
Sugar-free gum contains the compound casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) which has been demonstrated to decrease S. mutans even more than xylitol-containing chewing gum.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphate from diet. According to research, there is an inverse link between eating foods high in vitamin D and calcium, such as yoghurt, and cavities in young children. Dairy products, such as milk and yoghurt, contain vitamin D. The sun can also provide vitamin D.
Brush with fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride is essential in order to prevent cavity and remineralize enamel. Extensive research has shown that brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste on a daily basis helps to prevent cavities.
Cut out sugary foods
Avoid consuming excess sugar, since this is the cavity solution that no one wants to hear. Sugar consumption is the single major risk factor for cavities, according to the World Health Organization. Sugar consumption should be kept to less than 10% of total calorie intake each day, according to the experts.
If you’re going to consume sugar, don’t do it frequently throughout the day. Your enamel gets a chance to remineralize once the sugar is gone. However, if you consume sugar on a regular basis, your teeth will not have the opportunity to remineralize.
Oil pulling
Ayurveda, an ancient school of alternative treatment, is where oil pulling originated. It requires swishing a spoonful of sesame or coconut oil in the mouth for a specific amount of time before spitting it out.
While certain claims regarding oil pulling are unsupported by science, studies show that it can benefit dental health. According to a research, utilising sesame oil in the pulling method decreased plaque and germs in the mouth to the same level as mouthwash.
If oil pulling helps to remove plaque, it may aid in the remineralization of enamel and the prevention of cavities.
Licorice root
According to one research, extracts from the Chinese licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) can fight the germs that cause tooth cavities.
One researcher has gone one step further and designed a licorice lollipop to aid in the prevention of tooth decay.
The Issue with At-Home Remedies
A quick Google search will turn up a number of publications claiming to be magical home remedies for cavities. The majority of these ostensibly home treatments for cavities are a little deceptive. They are not supported by current science, and there is no evidence to back up such statements. Once a cavity has reached the inner dentin layer of a tooth, there is no way to cure it. The only definite way to get rid of a cavity and avoid it from progressing is to go to your dentist and have them perform a filling operation on the affected region.
Risks of Untreated Cavities
Cavities can’t heal on their own, and they ‘ll keep getting worse until they’re treated by a dentist. You may have a toothache, increased discomfort, or sensitivity as the decay progresses, so make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible for your personal comfort.
Delaying dental treatment might potentially put your health at danger. If bacteria reach the pulp of the tooth, a severe infection known as a tooth abscess can develop. A dental abscess can cause face swelling, discomfort, and a fever, which might keep you up at night. A dental abscess must be treated right away, as the infection might spread to the jawbone or other parts of the body.
Cavities that are left untreated can become costly in the long run. A filling may be all that is required to fix cavities if they are addressed soon enough. If treatment is delayed and the cavity grows deeper, more expensive procedures such as root canals, crown implantation, or even extractions may become necessary.
How to Get Rid Of Cavities the Right Way
If you’ve accidentally found a cavity, it’s advisable to see your dentist right away so that it may be appropriately treated. By treating cavities as soon as they appear, you limit the likelihood of the decay reaching the inner layer of the tooth that is the pulp.
To thoroughly eradicate the cavity and repair the afflicted tooth, your dentist will need to perform a filling procedure.
To begin, a local anaesthetic, such as Novocain, will be used to numb the tooth and surrounding tissues. This is due to the presence of nerves in human teeth, which can cause excruciating pain during treatment. After numbing the area, your dentist will use a mini drill to completely remove the cavity-containing portion of the tooth. Once all evidence of deterioration have been eliminated, the hole is filled with a specific polymer and sealed.
Seeing a dentist
Many dental diseases, including deep cavities, present themselves without causing any pain or other signs. The easiest approach to catch a cavity before it gets worse is to get regular dental visits. It is simpler to cure a condition if it is detected early.
A cavity can be treated at the dentist in a number of ways.:
Fluoride treatments
Fluoride levels in professional fluoride treatments are higher than in store-bought toothpaste and mouthwashes. If you require more fluoride on a daily basis, your dentist may write you a prescription.
Fillings
Fillings are the main treatment when a cavity has progressed beyond the enamel.
Crowns
A crowns is a custom-fitted covering or “cap” that is placed over the tooth to treat extensive decay.
Root canals
When tooth decay reaches the inner material of your tooth (pulp), a root canal may be necessary.
Tooth extractions
This is the removal of a severely decayed tooth.
How to Prevent Cavities
Because cavity-causing bacteria feed on sugar, one way to potentially prevent cavities is to control what you eat. Reduce your intake of sugary drinks and snacks, such as soda and sweets. Stick to water and nutritious snacks such as veggies instead.
The simplest strategy to lower your chances of acquiring cavities is to establish healthy oral hygiene practises. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and floss once a day.
Finally, schedule regular dental checkups with your dentist. Your teeth will be completely cleaned to eliminate plaque and tartar, as well as polished to remove any external stains, during these sessions. Cavities can be addressed before they grow more serious if they are identified.
Cavities cannot be fixed at home, they can only be treated by a dentist. therefore schedule an appointment with your dentist straight away if you suspect you have a cavity.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can a cavity go away on its own?
No, cavities do not go away on their own. Once a cavity is diagnosed,the only way to get rid of it is by getting it treated by a dentist.
Can you fix a cavity naturally?
No, you cannot fix a cavity naturally. There are ways to prevent the cavities from happening and even reverse them when they are in the ‘pre-cavity’ stage. These methods include maintaining good oral hygiene, taking all the required nutrients for healthy teeth, regularly visiting your dentist, oil pulling, etc.
How long can you have a cavity without getting it filled?
Cavities take weeks, months or even years to form. But once it develops, it will keep on growing unless treated. So, once a cavity is identified it should be treated as soon as possible.
How do you know if a cavity has reached the nerve?
Cavity reaches the nerves when it is left untreated for a long time. You will start experiencing excruciating pain, there will be swelling at the site, you may develop swelling on the face as well, there is inflammation and sensitivity.
What happens if you don’t fill a cavity?
Usually cavities start from the surface of the tooth that is enamel. When left untreated, it grows deeper into the tooth reaching the nerves. So, the cavity that could have been healed by a simple filling, would then require a root canal treatment or an extraction. These treatments are both invasive and expensive.
Other FAQs about Teeth Cavities that you may be interested in.
Can you get cavities even if you brush your teeth?
Can you fill a cavity without numbing?
Can you drive home after getting a cavity filled?