How can I heal a cavity in 2 days at home?
By
Dr Shivam Jha
This blog post will address the topic, “how can I heal a cavity in 2 days at home?” and cover topics like can dental cavities heal naturally at home, what is a dental cavity, stages of a cavity formation, can you stop a cavity once it starts, do cavities only get worse, getting a filling done to heal a cavity in just 2 days or less and do cavities go away after filling.
How Can I Heal A Cavity In 2 Days At Home?
The only way to heal a cavity in 2 days is to get a filling done at your dentist’s office. It takes almost an hour or less to fill a single cavity.
In case of multiple cavities, the dentist might give you multiple appointments.
However, a cavity can be healed over time at home if you daily follow the below mentioned tips:
- Tooth brushing twice daily – Brushing twice a day, once in the morning and once at night before going to bed, for two minutes is essential to prevent plaque build up and thereby prevent tooth decay.
- Use Fluoride Toothpaste – Fluoride can greatly help achieve oral and dental health by strengthening the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to tooth decay. Fluoride reduces the amount of acid produced by the bacteria on your mouth.
- Floss daily – According to a study, flossing is highly effective in reducing the interproximal caries risk. Daily floss can help stimulate your gums and reduce plaque leading to lesser inflammation risk.
- Occasional use of therapeutic mouthwash containing active ingredients – Therapeutic mouthwashes as the name suggests have therapeutic action and control dental conditions like gingivitis, tooth decay and periodontal diseases.
- Oil Pulling – A study concluded oil pulling using coconut oil to be an effective procedure in decreasing plaque formation and plaque induced gingivitis. Similarly other studies have also found oil pulling to be an effective and safe procedure to reduce plaque accumulation and thus heal small cavities naturally.
- Eat Foods Rich In Calcium, Magnesium And Phosphorus – Calcium and magnesium plays an important role in enamel remineralization and saliva production. Calcium rich foods like cauliflower, nuts, salmon and figs, helps in optimal saliva production that acts as a natural cleanser and prevents plaque accumulation and thus cavity formation.
- Vitamin D rich diet or vitamin D supplements prevent cavities from forming – According to research, children with vitamin D deficiency had an increased risk of developing enamel defects and tooth fracture. Another clinical trial reported vitamin D to be a prominent agent for caries prevention.
- Avoid frequent snacking – Frequent snacking in between meals increases the risk of getting cavities, as the simple carbohydrates in these snacks provide a perfect breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria.
- Drink Milk – Drinking milk prevents cavities and also heals cavities. According to a study, milk and cheese contain anti-cariogenic components such as calcium, phosphate and casein, which protects the teeth from developing cavities.
- Avoid brushing teeth just after having acidic foods or drinks – You must wait for 30 minutes to one hour after consumption of acidic foods and drinks. The acid in the food or drink otherwise may erode the enamel layer and regular habit may cause exposed dentin leading to pain and sensitivity and increased risk of developing cavities.
- Use Gentle And Short Strokes When Brushing – Use gentle, short strokes to brush your front teeth and thoroughly clean your mouth without abrading the enamel and preventing cavities from developing.
- Consult Your Dentist Twice In A Year – It is important to get your oral health checked twice every year with an interval of 6 months between two visits.
- Dental Cleaning Once In 6 Months To Prevent Cavities Formation – Dental cleaning can help in removing the plaque and tartar and thus prevent formation of a cavity or decay or gum disease or periodontal disease of any type.
- Simple rinse with water each time after you have food – You must also clean your teeth and gums, each time after you have food but not with a toothbrush. Simple rinse with water is considered good for overall oral health and hygiene.
- Get those pits and grooves sealed to prevent formation of cavities – If you keep getting cavities even if you brush and floss your teeth, there may be several pits and grooves present on the occlusal surface of your teeth. The food particles get stuck in these pits and grooves, not possible to remove from brushing, resulting in plaque buildup, acid attacks on enamel by plaque bacteria and finally cavities formation.
Can Dental Cavities Heal Naturally At Home?
Yes, dental cavities may heal naturally at home without going to the dentist, if and only if it is in its earliest stage.
The dental cavity forms in five stages. First stage is the formation of white spots on the tooth surface and preventive actions like toothbrushing with a fluoride toothpaste, daily flossing and mouthwash can reverse the cavity formation in this stage.
However, if ignored, the cavity development may enter into its later stages where reversal is impossible to achieve and root canal is the only favourable treatment option.
What Is A Dental Cavity?
Dental Cavity or tooth cavity, is a hole that develops on the surface of the tooth due to loss of mineral content from the enamel, resulting from the repeated acid attack by the plaque bacteria.
Stages Of A Cavity Formation
Consumption of sugary and starch rich foods expose the tooth to acids frequently, resulting in mineral loss from the enamel.
Infrequent tooth brushing habits cause poor oral hygiene, resulting in plaque accumulation.
Plaque is a sticky film containing bacteria that coats the protective enamel of your teeth. These bacteria produce acids by breaking down the food debris and the acids penetrate the enamel leading to formation of white spots on the teeth.
The cavity formation takes place in 5 stages:
STAGE 1: WHITE SPOTS
- Appearance of the white spots on the surface of the tooth as the mineral loss begins from enamel due to bacterial acid attack.
- This stage can be reversed with preventive actions and maintaining good oral hygiene.
STAGE 2: DECAYED ENAMEL
- If the white spots are ignored and no preventive actions are initiated, the repeated acid attacks wear down the mineral and enamel is decayed
- Visible hole is seen and now the cavity becomes irreversible.
STAGE 3: DENTIN INVOLVEMENT
- The decay moves down further and attacks the inner soft dentin
- This is called as Advanced Cavity Stage
- Slight pain and sensitivity starts
STAGE 4: PULP AND PAIN
- In this stage, the decay finally reaches the pulp and irritates the nerves
- Pain, sometimes excruciating, Sensitivity and Discomfort is seen in this stage.
- Root Canal is the only treatment option other than extraction.
STAGE 5: TOOTH ABSCESS
- After pulp involvement, if treatment is not initiated, the infection spreads to the surrounding structures of the tooth and inflammation is caused.
- Extreme pain and even tooth loss may result
Can you stop a cavity when it starts?
Yes, a cavity can be stopped in its earliest stage once it starts. Preventive actions like toothbrushing with a fluoride toothpaste, daily flossing and mouthwash can reverse the cavity formation in this stage.
Cavities can also be stopped with the use of a new treatment called silver diamine fluoride (SDF). Silver Diamine Fluoride is a liquid that can be applied to halt the progress of cavities in all age groups.
A 2009 published study recommends 38% SDF in cases where restorative treatment is not an option. However, it may not be helpful in cases of pain and sensitivity due to pulpal infection.
Do Cavities Only Get Worse?
Yes, cavities may get worse if left ignored and untreated. Cavity can be reversed naturally in its earliest stage but once it reaches dentin, there can’t be any reversal and filling is the only treatment.
However, if the cavity is left untreated and no filling is done, it may worsen and lead to tooth infection which may further spread to the adjoining jaw bone causing osteomyelitis.
Ascending tooth infections may enter the brain through sinuses or blood and lead to abscess formation in the brain.
Get A Filling Done To Heal A Cavity In Just 2 Days Or Less
Dental filling, as the name suggests, is the use of various materials to fill the hole in the teeth called cavities.
Materials used to fill the cavities are referred to as Filling Materials and the process is known as Dental Filling.
A filling procedure involves the following steps:
- A local anaesthetic is used in the first step to numb the soft tissues around the tooth that needs filling. This is essential to give painless dental care.
- Removal of the decayed area of the tooth that needs filling using rotary instruments, or a laser.
- Probing to confirm removal of all decayed parts of the tooth that needs filling.
- After complete removal of the decayed part, cavity preparation is done by cleaning the bacteria and other debris produced during decay removal.
- Liners are applied for nerve protection if the decay has advanced to the root and might irritate the nerve endings.
- If you have opted for a tooth colored composite material for filling, then your dentist will apply the composite in layers and use a special blue light called “curing” to harden the composite material applied.
- Finally, trimming and polishing is done and the filling process is complete.
Do cavities go away after filling?
Yes, cavities go away after filling but they can return if good oral hygiene is not maintained.
In order to prevent cavities from reappearing even after filling, daily brushing your teeth twice is essential along with daily flossing and occasional mouthwash.
Conclusion
This blog post addressed the topic, “how can I heal a cavity in 2 days at home”. We understood if dental cavities can heal naturally at home, what dental cavity is, stages of a cavity formation, if you can stop a cavity once it starts and do cavities only get worse. The article outlined a filling procedure to heal a cavity in just 2 days or less and answered the question of cavities going away after filling.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs): How Can I Heal A Cavity In 2 Days At Home
Does Brushing Your Teeth Everyday Prevent Cavities?
Yes, brushing your teeth twice everyday for two minutes each time, prevents plaque buildup and is regarded as the simplest way of preventing cavities.
Why Do I Keep Getting Cavities If I Brush My Teeth?
You keep getting cavities even if you brush your teeth because either you are not brushing with a proper technique or there may be several pits and grooves present on the occlusal surface of your teeth.
The food particles get stuck in these pits and grooves, not possible to remove from brushing, resulting in plaque buildup, acid attacks on enamel by plaque bacteria and finally cavities formation.
Visit your dentist to get those pits and grooves sealed to prevent formation of cavities.
Why Do I Suddenly Have So Many Cavities?
You suddenly develop so many cavities because of the sudden change in your oral hygiene habits brought in by stress of a new routine or a new job.
Stress commonly results in dry mouth, which further results in quick plaque and tartar buildup, finally resulting in cavities at a faster rate.
How Fast Do Cavities Grow?
The cavities grow as fast as in six months or may take longer ranging from four to five years, depending on the condition of your oral cavity.
Do Cavities Spread?
No, cavities do not spread but may result from the same cause once again on another tooth.
Cavities do not spread from one tooth to another but may be caused by the same process and under the same conditions if proper treatment and oral hygiene is not maintained.
Other FAQs about Teeth Cavities that you may be interested in.
How bad is a cavity if you can see it?
Does it hurt to get a cavity filled with laughing gas?
Does brushing a cavity make it worse?
References:
Cavities/tooth decay – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
The Tooth Decay Process: How to Reverse It and Avoid a Cavity. (2018)
11 Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy. (2019)
Can You Reverse a Cavity? (2020)
Can You Cure Tooth Decay (Cavities) Naturally?
What Is a Filling? Colgate
Dental Health and Tooth Fillings. (2019)