How to Treat Cavities (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

Cavities -- also known as caries -- are cavities in the teeth caused by tooth decay. Caries is formed due to the buildup of plaque and bacteria on the surface of the teeth, poor dental hygiene, and (according to some dentists) a lack of essential minerals in the food we eat. In many conditions, cavities cannot be cured and require treatment by a dentist, namely fluoride therapy, filling or extraction. However, there is new evidence showing that cavities can be treated at home, with a combination of diet and tooth remineralization. This article will guide you through both options, as well as provide some methods for preventing cavities early.

Step

Part 1 of 3: Treatment by a Dentist

Step 1. Recognize the signs and symptoms of cavities

It is very important to know the signs and symptoms of cavities as early as possible. That way you can take steps to treat it and prevent the hole from getting bigger and more painful over time. If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, you may have cavities:

• Sensitive teeth or toothache. You may experience mild to severe pain when you eat cold, sweet or hot foods.

  

• Pain when biting.
• There is a black color or holes in the teeth.
• Some cavities (especially at the back of the mouth or between the teeth) are not visible and may not be painful. These cavities can only be identified using x-rays, ultrasound, or a fluorescent lamp - which makes regular visits to the dentist very important.

Step 2. Visit the dentist

It is recommended to visit the dentist at least twice a year for dental and oral health checks. But if you suspect a tooth cavity, don't wait for the six-month schedule and make an appointment to see a dentist as soon as possible. At the time of inspection:

• Describe the symptoms and signs of damage you feel. This will help the dentist find the hole.
• Go through an inspection. The dentist will then check to see if there are cavities. Usually they use a sharp metal tool to feel for soft spots on the tooth surface that indicate cavities.

Step 3. Do fluoride therapy

Fluoride therapy is carried out in the early stages of cavities, because fluoride can repair tooth decay.

• This treatment uses a gel, solution, or paste that is used to coat the teeth and strengthen the tooth enamel.
• The dentist will give fluoride in 2 ways: by applying it directly to the teeth or on some kind of surface that matches the shape of the teeth. Therapy takes approximately 3 minutes.

Step 4. Fill the teeth

Fillings, also known as restoration measures, are usually performed when tooth decay reaches deep into the enamel and becomes permanent.

• The dentist cleans the hole using a drill. Then fill the hole with a tooth-colored filling material, porcelain, or silver amalgam.
• Silver amalgam may contain mercury, patients usually object to using this material for fear of health hazards. Talk to your dentist about what material to use for your fillings.
• It may take up to 2 visits to fill a tooth, depending on the extent of the damage.

Step 5. Install the dental crown

A jacket or sheath that is placed around the tooth called a crown is another way to treat cavities. This treatment is needed only if the tooth decay has spread. Dental crowns are made of a material and color similar to natural teeth and are mounted on a kind of metal.

• The dentist drills the damaged part and makes an impression of the tooth.
• The mold is filled with a tooth-like material such as porcelain, zirconium, or gold to make a suitable crown to replace a damaged tooth.
• Once the crown is ready, the dentist will attach it with some kind of glue to the tooth. Crowning also requires more than one visit.

Step 6. Perform root canal treatment

This treatment is the only way when the damage reaches deep into the tooth pulp, and the inside of the tooth decays, becomes infected, or dies.

• In a root canal procedure, the dentist will make an incision near the top of the tooth, then remove the decaying pulp from the spaces and canals on the inside of the tooth. The tooth will then be filled with a rubber-like material with adhesive paste.
• Sometimes a tooth that has been treated with a root canal also needs to be re-coated with a crown to prevent further damage. This procedure can be done at the same time as root canal treatment or several months later.

Step 7. If the tooth cannot be saved it must be extracted

The only solution for a completely decayed tooth is extraction.

• Your tooth is extracted if it is badly damaged and cannot be saved by other methods.
• When a tooth is extracted, it creates an empty space in the mouth. This condition is not aesthetically pleasing, and can also cause the teeth to shift position which can create new problems.
• Therefore, you should consider getting a dental bridge or dental implant to fill the void and replace the extracted tooth.

Part 2 of 3: Home Care

Step 1. Keep in mind that cavities can be cured with home treatments

Recent research has shown that old knowledge about the causes of cavities may be wrong, and that it is possible to stop or cure cavities with daily care. Even if it seems impossible, try to take this seriously. If only skin and bone tissue can heal and heal by itself, why not teeth?

• Most dentists lead you to believe that drilling and fillings are the only way to treat cavities, and once the decay has occurred there is no way to stop it. However, a study based on the findings of Dr. Weston Price (a respected 20th century dentist) stated that cavities can be avoided, stopped, and even restored to their original state if one follows a certain dietary method.
• Dr. Price studied the teeth of rural people who had never been touched by western food and had no awareness about oral health care. He found that despite the fact that they never brushed their teeth and had leftover food between their teeth for weeks, they had strong, healthy teeth with almost no decay.
• However, when these inland people were introduced to a western diet – a highly processed diet lacking in essential vitamins and minerals – their teeth began to decay at the same rate as most westerners. It occurs in all ages and races. The conclusion is that diet is the main cause of tooth decay, and not due to lack of dental and oral health care.
• Now many people have decided to undergo conventional treatment to cure cavities with their own treatment that combines diet, oral care, and tooth remineralization.

Step 2. Limit your intake of foods high in phytic acid

Phytic acid is the main form of phosphorus in plants. It is found in many grains, seeds, nuts, and legumes. Although these foods are generally said to be good for the body, they also have a negative effect on the health of teeth and bones.

• Phytic acid actually inhibits the absorption of phosphorus, along with other minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron, which bind to phytic acid. These compounds are then called phytases.
• When there are large amounts of phytase in the body, these compounds affect the chemistry in the blood and the body is in a state of survival function, by pulling essential minerals like calcium and magnesium from the teeth and bones instead. This condition makes the teeth and bones become porous which eventually results in damage.
• To inhibit this process, try to reduce your intake of foods high in phytic acid such as whole grains, seeds, and nuts.

Step 3. Remineralize your teeth

Remineralization of teeth is an important procedure for cavities, because it can help damaged teeth repair themselves. You can try using toothpaste and mouthwash that contains fluoride.

• Or, if you're a fan of fluoride, you can make your own mineral toothpaste with 5 parts calcium powder, 1 part diatomaceous earth, 2 parts baking soda, 3 parts xylitol powder and 3 to 5 parts coconut oil.
• You can also gargle with a solution of calcium and magnesium powder. This will help cavities in two ways: first, it adds minerals to the teeth, and secondly, it neutralizes the decay-causing acids by providing an alkaline material in the mouth.

Step 4. Take supplements

Due to improper processing of food, many people do not get sufficient amounts of fat-soluble minerals and vitamins in their diet, an alternative that can be done is to fulfill them in capsule form.

• Drink cod liver oil and butter oil. These two supplements are full of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D and K which are essential for promoting healthy teeth and mouth. Can be taken separately or taken as capsules.
• Take vitamin D supplements. In his research, Dr. Price recommends vitamin D as the number one vitamin in tooth regeneration. If you don't make changes to your diet, taking regular vitamin D will help reduce the damage.
• Take vitamin C, calcium and magnesium supplements.

Step 5. Eat foods that support teething

To get white and strong teeth, you need to include more menus that support the growth of teeth and bones. Combine with healthy fats for best results.

• Increase your intake of organic foods, grass-fed meats, and uncultivated seafood. You should also try organ and gland meats like liver and kidneys. Combine with organic dairy products, and use only fermented butter.
• Make your own broth. The broth is made by boiling the bones of an animal (beef, poultry, lamb, fish or bison). Broth has many health benefits: in addition to improving the digestive system and strengthening hair, skin and nails, it is also a source of minerals such as magnesium, calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for healthy bones and teeth. You can make this broth into a soup by adding organic vegetables and herbs.

• Include healthy fats from vegetable oils in your diet. Coconut oil has certain benefits - try to include 1/4 cup of coconut oil in your daily diet through cooking.

  

Step 6. Get in the habit of taking care of your teeth and mouth the right way

Despite the advantages of diet in this method, it is still important for you to be disciplined to carry out strict care to get rid of bacteria and maintain dental and oral hygiene. Regular maintenance will prevent the formation of new holes and further damage to existing holes.

• Brush your teeth twice a day. It is very important to brush your teeth at least twice a day, in the morning and at night. If you eat sugary foods and refined carbohydrates, it's best to brush your teeth immediately after you've finished eating, because these types of foods produce acids that cause tooth decay.

  

• Use dental floss at least once a day. Cleaning food scraps once a day (before brushing your teeth) aims to remove bacteria trapped between the teeth. The more bacteria that can be removed, the slower the formation of cavities in the teeth.
• Gargle with anti-bacterial mouthwash. A good mouthwash will remove excess bacteria from the mouth. You can use hydrogen peroxide - which can also whiten teeth at the same time.

Step 7. Treat any aches and pains

If you experience pain due to cavities, don't hold it in. There are many things you can do to relieve the pain until the cavities heal, or you can see a dentist. To cure a toothache yourself, you can try the following ways:

• Gargle with salt water. Dissolve a teaspoon of sea salt in a glass of warm water, and gargle for one to two minutes, concentrating on the patched tooth area. Replace sea salt with garlic salt for an equally effective alternative.

  

• Apply clove oil to the patched tooth and the gums around it. This will help numb the area and may relieve pain.

  

• Gargle with vegetable oil and spit it out when it starts to foam. This is useful for eliminating infection and relieving pain.
• Make a compress using vodka, gin, or whiskey. Alcohol can numb the pain temporarily. Dip a cloth in rubbing alcohol and place it on the aching tooth. It might sting at first, but it will quickly go away.
• Gargle with a teaspoon of pure vanilla for a minute or two to relieve pain.

• Take ibuprofen. A surefire way to relieve a toothache is to take ibuprofen. These drugs can reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Follow the dosage and directions for use on the packaging.

  

Part 3 of 3: Preventing the Formation of Holes

Step 1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day

This is very important because it can prevent the growth of bacteria that cause cavities.

• Use toothpaste that contains fluoride to strengthen teeth (just don't swallow it because it can be toxic if swallowed).

• Brush your teeth immediately after eating very sweet or sour foods, or after drinking soda - because these types of foods can trigger tooth decay.

  

Step 2. Use dental floss

It is necessary to clean food debris with dental floss at least once a day, ideally before brushing your teeth at night.

• Cleaning with dental floss can remove bacteria and food debris between the teeth that cannot be reached by a toothbrush.
• Use floss between your teeth - especially those hard-to-reach back areas - and do it slowly so you don't injure your gums and make them swell.

Step 3. Use mouthwash

Regular use of mouthwash can kill bacteria, remove plaque, prevent gum disease, and to make fresh breath.

Use a mouthwash containing fluoride to help remineralize teeth and prevent bacteria from forming acid

Step 4. Check your teeth regularly

Visiting the dentist once every six months is enough to prevent cavities.

• Seeing the doctor regularly will help detect cavities early. You may only need fluoride therapy, but it's a different story to find out after it gets so severe that it requires expensive and painful root canal treatment.
• Your dentist or dental hygienist will give you a thorough cleaning of your teeth.

Step 5. Protect the teeth with sealant. If you haven't used one, be aware that sealants are very effective at protecting teeth from cavities.

• Sealant is a thin plastic layer on the top of the molars to prevent the growth of bacteria and plaque buildup on the molars, causing cavities.
• Sealants are usually given to children once their molars develop, but these sealants in children only last for ten years, so ask your dentist to replace them.

Step 6. Chew sugarless gum

Chewing gum can actually prevent cavities, because chewing increases saliva production so it can release food debris from between your teeth.

Tips

• Try brushing your teeth with a mixture of toothpaste and baking soda
• Cavities can be prevented and detected early with regular visits to the dentist.
• Don't eat sugary snacks and when you floss your teeth, don't pull them back and forth with your hands.

Warning

• You can buy fluoride without a prescription at the pharmacy, but it usually doesn't contain as much content as dentists use.
• Tooth decay is caused by different factors. For example, cavities can occur due to infrequent cleaning with dental floss and not brushing your teeth properly. Other causes are excessive consumption of sugary foods and drinks and the presence of bacteria in the mouth.
• You may have no symptoms or see signs when a tooth begins to decay. However, the symptoms will get worse when the hole has started to enlarge.