Can Tooth Decay be Reversed? The Top 3 At-home Methods

For a long time, the only treatment for tooth decay was an extraction. Drilling out the decayed part and filling it with a filling material was another possible treatment option. A root canal treatment (RCT) is one of the most popular treatments for tooth decay since this procedure can save your tooth. However, did you know you can naturally reverse tooth decay without getting it filled or an RCT? In this article, we tell you why it might be possible and how you can do it.

Tooth Decay: An Overview

Tooth decays are some of the most common dental problems in children and adults.

Food debris clings to your teeth when you don't rinse or brush your teeth after a meal.

Bacteria present in your mouth feed on these food debris and produce acids.

These acids erode the enamel, the outermost layer of your teeth, and result in tooth decay.

Here is an overview of the stages of tooth decay:

Demineralization: This is the first stage of tooth decay when the bacteria cling to the food debris in your mouth and start producing acids. This acid begins demineralizing the superficial layers of the enamel.
Enamel decay: During this stage, the demineralization has reached the deeper layers of the enamel. This is when you start to notice holes in the teeth.
Dentin decay: The third stage of tooth decay is when the enamel layer has been eroded, and the dentin is now affected. This is when you will start feeling pain and sensitivity in the decaying tooth.
Pulp decay: If left untreated, the decay will now reach the innermost layer of your tooth called the pulp. This is the most painful stage; root canal treatment is usually needed.
Abscesses: In this stage, the bacteria in the tooth have reached the bone and tissues around the teeth and formed a pus pocket. There will likely be pain and swelling during this stage.

Are Cavities Genetic? Image depicting the effects of different stages of decay on the tooth.

Causes Of Tooth Decay

Oral hygiene habits and several medical conditions can lead to tooth decay.

Here are a few causes of tooth decay:

Not brushing or flossing regularly
Eating sugary and starchy foods regularly
Frequently snacking and not rinsing your mouth afterward
Low saliva production (dry mouth) due to medication or other health conditions
Smoking
Acid reflux
Eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia

Symptoms Of Tooth Decay

In the initial stages, you will not notice any symptoms of tooth decay.

However, as the decay progresses and reaches deeper layers of your teeth, you will start to notice symptoms.

Toothache and sensitivity: This is one of the most common symptoms of tooth decay. You might notice tooth pain and sensitivity while eating or drinking hot, cold, or sugary foods and drinks.
Brown or black spots on your teeth: As the tooth decay erodes the enamel and reaches the inner layers of your teeth, you will start to see discolored spots on your teeth. Eventually, these spots will develop into holes called cavities.
Bad breath: Tooth decay can cause bad breath and an unusual taste in your mouth.
Swelling around your teeth and jaw: If you leave tooth decay untreated for a very long time, it can become an abscess. This happens when bacteria from your tooth reach the pulp and form a pocket of pus. It can cause a painful swelling around the pus-filled area.

Can Tooth Decay Be Reversed?

If you catch tooth decay early enough, it is possible to reverse it.

Using fluoride gels on the affected area and maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine can reverse early-stage cavities.

Early Stages Tooth Decay Can Be Reversed: Here’s How

Here are the top 3 at-home methods to reverse early-stage tooth decay:

Incorporate fluoride into your oral hygiene routine: Fluoride is a mineral that can prevent tooth decay from progressing by preventing teeth. If your dentist catches tooth decay in the early stages, they recommend using fluoride gels directly on the affected area of the tooth to remineralize the decayed part. They might also prescribe fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.
Be vigilant about your oral hygiene routine. Tooth decay can be reversed and even prevented if you are vigilant about your oral hygiene routine. Talk to your dentist about the correct brushing technique. Make sure to rinse your mouth after every meal.
Watch what you eat: Incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet. Avoid sugary, sticky, and starchy foods. Also, try to avoid fizzy carbonated drinks, as they can demineralize teeth. Limit snacking between meals.

Late Stages Tooth Decay Reversal

Fillings

One of the most common treatment options for tooth decay is to have your dentist drill your teeth to remove the infected part. Then, the cavity will be filled with a tooth-colored filling material or silver amalgam to prevent the infection from spreading further.

Crowns or Overlays

If tooth decay has damaged the tooth structure, inlays and onlays can be used to repair it. An inlay will cover all the pits and fissures of the tooth being repaired, while an onlay will cover a larger area and involve all the tooth's cusps.

Root Canals

When tooth decay reaches the pulp, a root canal is recommended. Endodontists are dentists who specialize in this procedure. They remove the pulp from the infected tooth and fill it with gutta-percha, a root-filling material. The treated tooth is then covered with a crown.

Extraction

If the decayed tooth has been damaged beyond repair, your dentist will recommend an extraction to remove the tooth from the socket. Your dentist will remove the infected tooth under local anesthesia during an extraction. You can get artificial teeth or implants to replace the tooth.

An infographic on tooth decay reversal. While early stage tooth decay can be reversed with at-hoem steps like using fluoride gels, following proper oral routine, and good diet, late stages may need medical intervention.

Can You Stop Tooth Decay Once It Starts?

You can stop tooth decay before the demineralization process has started.

This means you can reverse tooth decay when it has only affected the surface levels of the enamel.

If you use fluoride toothpaste at this stage, you can remineralize the decayed area and prevent the infection from spreading further.

At What Point Can Tooth Decay Not Be Reversed?

Once the tooth decay has reached the dentin and formed a hole in the teeth, it cannot be reversed anymore.

When the outer enamel layer gets destroyed, you have to visit a dentist to get it treated.

How To Prevent Tooth Decays?

A good oral hygiene routine will help prevent tooth decay.

Here are a few important steps to maintain a proper oral hygiene routine:

Brush your teeth using the proper brushing technique at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Rinse your mouth after every meal. This will prevent plaque and calculus from forming on the teeth.
Floss your teeth at night before going to bed. This will remove the food debris stuck in between your teeth and hard-to-reach places that can't be removed by brushing.
Avoid consuming starchy and sugary foods, or consume them in moderation. Rinse your mouth thoroughly, either with mouthwash or lukewarm water afterward, and brush your teeth.
See your dentist every six months for a checkup. Getting professional teeth cleaned and checked by a dentist will prevent a cavity from forming. You can also get sealants to protect your teeth from plaque buildup. Sealants are thin protective coatings that are applied to the teeth.