Use a soft-bristled brush and don’t press too hard as you move it. Move the toothbrush back and forth in gentle motions for at least 2 minutes total. Brush your teeth twice a day and after eating. It’s particularly important that you keep your mouth clean when you have a cavity, since plaque begins to form within 20 minutes of eating.
A white spot on your tooth. This can be an early sign of tooth decay or of fluorosis. It represents a spot where acids have eaten away the minerals in your tooth enamel. The decay is still reversible at this point, so take action if you notice this in your mouth. Tooth sensitivity. Sensitivity commonly occurs after consuming sweet, hot, or cold foods or drinks. Sensitivity is not always a sign of decay, and many people have sensitive teeth normally. But if you’ve never had sensitive teeth before and suddenly start feeling sensitivity to certain foods or drinks, this could be a cause for concern. [4] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Pain when you bite down. Toothache. When your cavity has progressed so far that it’s affecting the nerve of your tooth, you may experience persistent pain in the affected tooth. This may or may not get worse when eating and drinking. Pain may also be spontaneous. A visible hole in your tooth. This indicates that your cavity is far advanced and has significantly eroded your tooth. Cavities can exist and enlarge over time with no symptoms.
Fluoride toothpastes. Most of the toothpastes available over-the-counter have around 1000 ppm to 1500 ppm of sodium fluoride. Dentists can also prescribe fluoride-enriched toothpaste that contains roughly 5000 ppm of sodium fluoride. Fluoride mouth rinses. Fluoride mouth rinses can be used daily. These mouthwashes generally contain 225 to 1000 ppm of sodium fluoride. Look for a mouth rinse with an ADA seal of approval to indicate that the rinse has been evaluated by the American Dental Association. Fluoride gel. Fluoride gel is thick and will remain on your teeth for a longer period of time. You squirt the gel into trays that you then fit over your teeth.
If your mouth stays dry regardless of how much water you drink, this could be a symptom of a larger medical condition, or caused by prescription medication. Talk with your doctor if dry mouth remains a problem for you.
Look for chewing gum with the ADA seal. This ensures that you won’t accidentally be doing your teeth more harm than good. Chewing gum also stimulates saliva production, which can help wash away food particles and keep tooth enamel strong. [9] X Research source
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Swish a mouthful of this water around your mouth for 1 minute. Concentrate on the affected tooth. Repeat this treatment 3 times daily.
Some toothpastes made by Tom’s of Maine contain licorice root. Alternatively, you could buy some licorice root powder at the store and mix it with your toothpaste. Make sure to look for deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), which does not contain glycyrrhiza, a compound that can cause unpleasant and often serious side effects. Always consult with your doctor before you use licorice root. It can interact with certain medications, including ACE inhibitors, insulin, MAO inhibitors, and oral contraceptives. It can also cause health problems for people with certain medical conditions, including liver or kidney disease, diabetes, heart failure or heart disease, or hormone-sensitive cancers.
Foods high in starch, like potatoes, bread, and pasta, also provide a welcoming environment for acid-producing bacteria. Keep your simple and refined carbohydrate intake low, and brush your teeth after eating.
While this treatment usually only takes a few minutes, you won’t be able to eat or drink for at least 30 minutes afterward to allow the fluoride to properly sink in.
Commonly, your dentist will use porcelain or a composite resin to fill a cavity, especially for front teeth. These are top choices because they can be shaded to match your tooth’s natural appearance. Dentists may fill cavities in back teeth with silver alloy or gold, as these tend to be stronger. Plaque also usually builds up more extensively on the back teeth.
In most cases, you will need a crown (a “cap” for your tooth) when you require a root canal. [16] X Research source
Angle the toothbrush 45 degrees to the gumline. Plaque tends to build up on the gumline. Gently move the brush back and forth using small strokes. The strokes should only be about the width of one tooth. Brush both the outer and inner surfaces of your teeth. Continue brushing for about two minutes. Finish by brushing your tongue. If you miss your tongue, you’ll leave behind a lot of bacteria that will recontaminate your mouth as soon as you stop brushing. Repeat this at least twice a day.
Take about 18 inches (46 cm) of floss. Wrap most of it around the middle finger of one hand, the rest around your other middle finger. Grasp the string tightly between your thumb and forefinger. Use a rubbing motion to guide it between teeth. When the floss reaches the gum line, form a “C” shape to follow the shape of the tooth. Hold the strand firmly against the tooth, and move it gently up and down. Repeat the entire process with the rest of your teeth. Use fresh sections of floss as you go. If your teeth are packed very tightly, look for a waxed or “easy glide” floss. You may also find the small pre-threaded flossers more helpful. The most important thing is to floss faithfully. [19] X Research source
Make sure you purchase a mouthwash that can help reduce plaque, fight gingivitis and cavities, and reduce bad breath. There are plenty of low-alcohol or no-alcohol mouthwashes that can still be good for your oral health. If you can’t handle the “burn” from traditional mouthwashes, look for one of these.
Eat foods high in fiber. Fiber helps push plaque off of your teeth. It also stimulates production of saliva, which helps clean harmful acids and enzymes off your teeth. For fiber, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grain products. Eat dairy products. Milk, cheese, and plain yogurt also stimulate production of saliva. They also contain calcium, which strengthens your tooth enamel. Drink tea. Nutrients in green and black tea help break down plaque and slow the growth of bacteria. Brewing your tea with water containing fluoride will give you a double dose of nutrients for your teeth. Avoid sugary foods and drinks. Sugar increases the growth of plaque and bacteria, leading to tooth decay. Keep candy and soft drinks to a minimum. If you do eat sugary foods, do so with a meal and drink plenty of water. This way, your mouth will produce more saliva which will help wash away the sugar and reduce acid and bacterial growth. Brush your teeth after eating starchy foods. Foods like potatoes and corn get stuck in between teeth more readily, leading to tooth decay. Be sure to clean your teeth after eating these foods to avoid cavities.
The biggest culprits are sports drinks like Gatorade, energy drinks like Red Bull, and sodas such as Coke. Carbonation may promote tooth wear. [23] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source [24] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Drink plenty of water. Rinse your mouth with water after drinking an acidic beverage. Remember that even 100% pure fruit juice contains sugar. Dilute 100% pure fruit juice with equal parts water, especially for kids. Limit your consumption and rinse your mouth with water after drinking fruit juice.
Your dentist can also help you catch cavities while they are very small. If your dentist catches a cavity early enough, s/he can treat it without invasive procedures. For example, lifestyle changes, proper mouth hygiene, and fluoride treatments may be enough to treat very small cavities. They can stimulate “remineralization,” a natural regeneration process. [26] X Research source
