Anyone who’s ever experienced a cavity has probably turned to Google for some DIY at-home routine to heal their tooth. But will these tips and tricks work? A tooth cavity is a type of tooth infection, usually caused by unwanted bacteria eating at the tooth’s tissue. When left unchecked, cavities can cause permanent damage to the tooth and even lead to tooth loss, so it’s really important to see a dentist for a dental filling as soon as you first notice the signs of a cavity.
But, the question is: can a cavity be reversed? Unfortunately, the answer is not that simple, but this post from Dodds Dental in Long Beach can help you understand everything you need to know about the topic.
Reversing A Cavity Depends on the State of Decay
The very first stage of a tooth cavity is called "demineralized enamel." This means the outer layer of your tooth weakens, usually as a result of plaques or bacteria coming in contact with the tooth for long periods of time.
If the cavity is in this demineralized enamel stage, then great news! This can be successfully reversed in most cases before the cavity grows and attacks more of the tooth’s tissue. And there are several ways to make this happen:
- Get a professional cleaning to remove plaque
- Improve your at-home dental hygiene
- Switch to fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash
- Get a professional fluoride treatment
- Get a protective sealant over the affected tooth
- Reduce the consumption of sweet and highly acidic beverages, etc.
What About More Serious Cavities?
Tooth tissue cannot regenerate as other tissues in your body might. So when a cavity is so severe that it starts creating holes in the tooth, then you will need a dental filling, and the cavity itself cannot be reversed. Many tips and tricks you find online about cavity reversals most likely talk about reversing the early stages of a cavity.
What’s worse, if you do not get the tooth checked by a dentist, the infection will continue to grow until the tooth suffers permanent damage. Some infections can get so severe they also cause high levels of pain, swelling, and even fever.
So if you suspect you might be experiencing a cavity, you should book a dental appointment right away. The sooner you get it looked at, the less tissue will be impacted by the infection, and you can get away with just a filling, instead of a more complex procedure like a dental crown.
Dodds Dental in Long Beach Is Here to Help
We understand the temptation to want to quickly fix your cavity at home, but as of now, this is not really possible. But if you think you might have a tooth infection, the Dodds Dental team is happy to help you fix your tooth.
To get started, please book a consultation with Dr. Emily Dodds or Dr. Dustin Dodd in Long Beach today!
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