Can You Get Rid of Cavities?

Most of us have heard the dreaded words, “you have a cavity”. But the real question is, how do you get them in the first place, and can I get rid of them before the dentist has to?

The answer is yes and no. If a cavity has penetrated your dentin, or the soft nerve inside your tooth, your dentist will recommend a filling. Yet, if you are able to catch a “pre-cavity” or the start of a cavity, you may be able to re-mineralize the area before it gets worse. Here are some ways you can do that:

Sugar-free Gum

I know, I know, it doesn’t sound very appetizing but after clinical trials sugar free gums shows signs of stimulating saliva flow and reducing bacteria that causes cavities. 1

Floride Toothpaste

If you read our blog post a couple weeks ago (Which Toothpaste is a Waste?) you will know fluoride toothpaste is dentist-recommended for cavity prevention.

Sugary Foods

Try to avoid sugary foods. Snacking on sugary foods throughout the day is very bad for the enamel on your teeth because the sugar sits on the exterior of your tooth and doesn’t allow your teeth to remineralize.

If you would like more information on preventing cavities, here is an article from the College of Dentistry: https://dentistry.uic.edu/patients/cavity-prevention-tips

When it comes to a cavity, it might be best to see a dentist before things get painful. Some of the deepest cavities can result with no pain at all. Having regular checkups allows dentists to monitor pre-cavities, suggest measures to re-mineralize a pre-cavity, or fill the cavity so there is no further issue. If you think you may have a cavity or would like a check up, contact us.