How to Treat Caries (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Caries are small holes that form in the teeth. They are caused by accumulations of plaque and bacteria on the surface of the teeth, poor oral hygiene and, according to some dentists, a lack of essential minerals in the diet. In most cases, caries is irreversible and requires dental treatment with fluoride, fillings or even tooth extraction. However, there appears to be some evidence that some cavities can be treated at home with a combination of diet and tooth remineralization. This article discusses both options and provides some guidelines on how to prevent tooth decay.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Medical Treatment

Step 1. Recognize the signs and symptoms of tooth decay

Timely diagnosis is important. This way you can treat tooth decay immediately, before it gets too big and painful. If you have one or more of the following symptoms, you may have tooth decay:

• Dental sensitivity or toothache. You may feel a slight twinge when you eat something cold, sweet, or very hot.

  

• Pain when you bite.
• You notice black spots or holes in your teeth.
• Some cavities (especially those in the back teeth or between teeth) are invisible to the naked eye and may not be painful. These types of cavities are only diagnosed after an x-ray, ultrasound or fluorescent light, so regular visits to the dentist are very important.

Step 2. Go to the dentist

A visit every six months is the recommended frequency. However, if you suspect that you have cavities, don't wait for your biannual appointment, schedule a visit right away. While viewing:

• Tell the dentist about your symptoms and any signs of tooth decay you have noticed. This helps the doctor to spot it.
• Undergo an exam. The dentist will need to check your teeth to confirm the diagnosis. He often uses sharp metal tools to look for soft spots in the tooth that indicate cavities.

Step 3. Get fluoride therapy

It is used in early stage caries, as it helps the tooth reconstitute itself.

• The treatment consists of a gel, a liquid solution or a fluoride foam to be applied to the tooth to strengthen the enamel.
• When you are following a fluoride therapy, the dentist can proceed in one of two ways: he can apply the fluoride directly to the tooth or put some kind of capsule that releases the fluoride over the diseased tooth. The treatment takes about 3 minutes.

Step 4. Fill the tooth

The filling is a partial tooth reconstruction treatment, it is used when the caries is at a more advanced stage and has become irreversible.

• The dentist removes tooth decay with a drill. Then fill the hole using a tooth-colored resin, ceramic or silver amalgam.
• Amalgam contains a certain amount of mercury and some people fear it can be harmful to health. If this is your concern, discuss with your dentist what alternative material to use.
• Depending on the size of the caries, the filling can take up to two appointments to complete.

Step 5. Put on a crown

There are covers that fit perfectly on the tooth and are called crowns. They are necessary in cases of very large caries. Crowns are constructed of a tooth-like material attached to a metal.

• To place a crown, the dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth and takes an impression.
• Based on the impression, the dental laboratory will create a customized crown in porcelain, zirconium or even gold to replace the decayed tooth.
• When the crown is ready, the dentist will use some kind of cement to secure it to your tooth. Applying a crown takes more than one appointment.

Step 6. Undergo root canal therapy

When your caries is deep enough to reach the pulp of the tooth, root canal therapy is required, as the inside is infected, dead or decayed.

• During root canal therapy, the dentist will make an incision on the top of the tooth and remove the infected pulp from the inside and from the canals. The tooth will then be filled with a rubber-like material and sealing paste.
• Sometimes, a tooth undergoing root canal therapy is closed with a crown to prevent it from breaking. This can be done in the same session or even several months later.

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

This is the only solution in case the caries has ruined the whole tooth.

• The tooth is extracted only if it is very damaged and cannot be saved by other methods.
• Once the tooth has been removed, there will be a hole in its place. In addition to the aesthetic question, the space left free has other consequences: the other teeth can move, causing problems with chewing and position of the teeth.
• However, you can consider the solution of putting a bridge or a dental implant to replace the lost tooth.

Part 2 of 3: Homemade Treatment

Step 1. It is possible to treat tooth decay at home

New research is showing that what is conventionally considered to be the cause of tooth decay can be misunderstood, and that it is possible to treat it at home. Even if it seems unlikely to you, try to think for a moment. If skin can heal and bones can heal, why can't teeth?

• Many dentists may have convinced you that the only way to treat tooth decay is to use a drill and sealing material, and that once the caries process begins, it cannot be stopped. However, research based on the studies of Dr. Weston Price (a respected 20th century dentist) states that the process of tooth decay can be prevented, stopped and even reversed by following a specific diet.
• Dr. Price studied the teeth of indigenous people who never ate Western food and who were unfamiliar with oral hygiene practices. He found that although they had never brushed their teeth and that food residues could remain between their teeth for weeks, these natives had healthy teeth with no trace of tooth decay.
• However, once these individuals began to eat Western food (prepackaged food low in vitamins and minerals) their teeth weakened and showed the first signs of tooth decay. These studies have proved true for many indigenous peoples of different eras and races. This suggests that the main cause of tooth decay is not poor oral hygiene, but diet.
• At this point, many people have decided to forget about conventional caries treatments and have treated their dental problems on their own at home thanks to diet, hygiene and remineralization techniques.

Step 2. Limit your consumption of foods rich in phytic acid

This acid is the form in which phosphorus accumulates in plants. It is found in wheat, seeds, nuts and legumes. While these foods are considered healthy and great for a balanced diet, they have a negative effect on teeth and bones.

• Phytic acid inhibits the correct absorption of phosphorus, as well as that of other minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc to which phytic acid binds. These compound forms are called "phytates".
• When there are high levels of phytates in the body, the chemical composition of the blood is affected, and the body's survival reaction is to retrieve the necessary minerals from the teeth and bones. This process weakens the teeth and causes tooth decay.
• To prevent this from happening, foods that contain high concentrations of phytic acid such as grains, beans and nuts should be eliminated or reduced.

Step 3. Remineralize your teeth

If you suffer from tooth decay, this is an important process, as it helps your teeth to repair themselves. You can do this with fluoride-based toothpastes or mouthwashes.

• Alternatively, if you're against fluoride, you can make your own homemade toothpaste by mixing 5 parts calcium powder, 1 part diatomaceous earth, 2 parts baking soda, 3 parts xylitol powder, and 5 parts coconut oil..
• You can also rinse yourself with calcium and magnesium powder dissolved in water. This helps to close cavities in two ways: first of all it directly brings minerals to the tooth, secondly it neutralizes the acids that cause cavities, bringing the mouth to an alkaline pH.

Step 4. Take supplements

Many people do not get the required amount of minerals and fat-soluble vitamins in their diet due to inadequate food preparation. So taking supplements can be a good idea.

• Get fermented cod liver oil. It is rich in Vitamin A, D and K which are essential for tooth health. You can also take these vitamins in capsule form either individually or together.
• Take vitamin D supplements. It is the vitamin most recommended by Dr. Price in his research. Even if you haven't made any changes to your diet, taking some vitamin D should make you notice some difference in your tooth decay problems.
• Take magnesium, calcium, and vitamin C supplements.

Step 5. Eat foods that aid in dental regeneration

To have strong and white teeth, you need to change your diet and include specific foods for dental health. Healthy fats are the best foods for this purpose.

• Increase the intake of meat from pasture farms and non-farmed seafood. You should try to eat organs such as liver and kidneys, dairy products and butter from organic farms.
• Make homemade bone broth. You need to boil animal bones (beef, poultry, lamb, fish, or bison). It has surprising health benefits: in addition to helping the digestive system, strengthening hair, skin and nails, bone broth is an excellent source of minerals such as magnesium, calcium and phosphorus, all of which are essential. for the health of teeth and bones. You can make nutritious soups by using bone broth as a base and adding organic vegetables and herbs.

• Include some healthy plant-based fats in your diet. Coconut oil is great: try to use about 55ml per day in various meal preparations.

  

Step 6. Maintain good oral hygiene

Although the importance of diet in dental care and to prevent cavities is predominant, good hygiene is essential to eliminate bacteria and maintain a healthy and clean mouth. In this way you prevent the formation of new caries and stop the process of worsening of the existing ones.

• Brush your teeth twice a day. This rule is very important, you need to brush your teeth at least in the morning and in the evening. However, if you eat sugary foods such as processed carbohydrates, it would be wise to brush your teeth immediately after the meal, as these foods promote the formation of the acids that trigger tooth decay.

  

• Floss once a day. Before brushing your teeth it is important to floss once a day to remove bacteria trapped in the interdental spaces. The more bacteria you remove, the slower the caries process will be.
• Rinse with antibacterial mouthwash. A good mouthwash removes excess bacteria from the mouth. You can use hydrogen peroxide which also whitens your teeth.

Step 7. Manage the pain

If tooth decay is causing you a lot of pain, don't suffer in silence. There are many things you can do to find relief while waiting for your dentist appointment or for cavities to close. Here's how you can do it:

• Gargle with salt water. Dissolve a teaspoon of sea salt in a glass of warm water, rinse for a minute or two focusing on the area affected by caries. You can replace sea salt with garlic salt.

  

• Rub clove oil on the decayed tooth and surrounding gum. It numbs the area and relieves pain.

  

• Rinse with a vegetable oil and spit it out when it starts to get foamy. This remedy relieves pain and removes the infection from the tooth.
• Make a small compress with vodka, gin, or whiskey. Alcohol helps numb the tooth momentarily and decreases pain. Dip a towel in alcohol and hold it on the diseased tooth. It may sting at first, but it will pass quickly.
• Take a teaspoon of pure vanilla essence and do a mouth rinse for a minute or two.

• Take some ibuprofen. This anti-inflammatory provides immediate pain relief by reducing inflammation. Make sure you follow the instructions on the leaflet.

  

Part 3 of 3: Preventing tooth decay

Step 1. Brush your teeth at least twice a day

It is important to brush them to remove the buildup of bacteria that cause tooth decay.

• Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride to strengthen your teeth (do not swallow it, even small amounts of fluoride can be toxic).

• It is a good idea to brush your teeth every time you eat acidic, sugary foods or have a soft drink, these foods accelerate tooth decay.

  

Step 2. Remember to floss

It is an action that must be done at least once a day, ideally before brushing your teeth in the evening.

• Dental floss removes bacteria and food debris trapped between one tooth and another, just where the toothbrush can't go.
• Make sure you run the floss in every interdental space, especially the hard-to-reach back area. Avoid swelling and damaging the gums, make gentle movements.

Step 3. Use a mouthwash

Regular use of a mouthwash helps kill bacteria, remove plaque, prevent gum disease, and fight bad breath.

Use a fluoride mouthwash to remineralize your teeth and prevent bacteria from acidifying the environment of your mouth

Step 4. Go to the dentist regularly

Get two checkups a year to keep tooth decay under control.

• Regular visits help you diagnose caries early. This could make a difference: instead of expensive and painful root canal therapy, a fluoride treatment might be enough.
• The dentist will also give you a thorough cleaning to remove tartar and bacteria.

Step 5. Have your teeth sealed

If you haven't already, consider having your teeth sealed to protect them from cavities.

• The sealant is a thin plastic coating that is placed on the chewing surfaces of the teeth to prevent bacteria and plaque from accumulating between the crests of the molars and causing tooth decay.
• The sealant is applied to the children as soon as the final molars emerge. Sealants only last 10 years, so ask your doctor to replace them for you.

Step 6. Chew sugar-free gum

Some of these gums are effective in preventing tooth decay, as they increase saliva production and help get rid of food particles trapped between the teeth.

Advice

Caries can be prevented or diagnosed early if you go to the dentist regularly

Warnings

• You can also buy the fluoride treatment without a prescription; However, these over-the-counter products do not contain the same amount of fluoride that the dentist uses.
• Caries is caused by many different factors. For example, it can be formed by an infrequent use of dental floss and a toothbrush. Other causes are excessive consumption of sweets and drinks, as well as the natural presence of bacteria in the mouth.
• You may have no symptoms or see any signs of tooth decay until it has penetrated the tooth. However, as the cavity gets bigger, the symptoms get worse.