Can You Reverse Cavities?
A cavity is when bacteria in the mouth break down the tooth structure to form an infected hole. So, can you reverse cavities? In the early stages of tooth decay, the cavity process can be interrupted and reversed.
In order to successfully prevent large cavities, good oral hygiene and preventative measures are key. This article will outline how you know if your cavity can be reversed and what you can expect with the reversal process.
Table of Contents
Can You Reverse a Cavity? The Initial Stages
Understanding the stages of tooth decay can help you better understand the question ‘can you reverse cavities?’ Cavities can only be reversed in the first initial stages by promoting remineralizing of the tooth structure.
Here is a diagram that shows the stages of tooth decay and detailed explanation:
- Incipient Decay: This is when the cavity is just starting to grow through the outer layer of the tooth. At this stage, there is a chance of remineralizing to stop the cavity progression.
- Enamel Decay: At this stage, the infected portion is mostly through the enamel or the outermost layer of the tooth. The cavity will need to be treated but may not need any anesthesia at the dentist.
- Dentin Decay: The cavities in between teeth have now reached the second layer of the tooth, the dentin. The cavity can spread faster through this layer because it is softer than enamel. The answer to ‘can you reverse a cavity?’ is almost definitely no at this stage.
- Pulpitis: The pulp is the home of the nerve and blood vessels. At this stage, the infected portion of the tooth has reached the innermost layer. Pain and pressure are most likely present from the infection.
- Abscess: The infection has spread all the way down to the root. At this stage, an antibiotic is most likely needed. A root canal or extracting the tooth is the best treatment plan to resolve the infection. It’s important to see a dentist at this stage because it can be life-threatening.
If you want to hear your dentist say “yes” to you asking if they can reverse a cavity, then you’re going to need to catch the cavity prior to the Dentin Decay stage.
Check out our article What Does A Cavity Feel Like to gain a better understanding of the early symptoms of a cavity.
How Can You Reverse Cavities?
Stopping the tooth decay process takes dedicated preventative measures. How can you reverse cavities? With a consistent dental home care routine. Here are 3 very helpful things to help you stop cavities in their tracks:
Choose Remineralizing Products
Not all active ingredients in toothpaste and mouthwash are equal. The active ingredient has to be proven to remineralize the tooth’s enamel effectively in the amount used.
The only two ingredients that fall under this category are Fluoride and Hydroxyapatite. If you have a higher cavity risk, then choose products with Fluoride in it.
Daily Mechanical Removal of Bacteria
In order to fight the bacteria causing the cavity process, you have to step up your brushing and flossing routine.
Use an electric toothbrush for a full two minutes at least two times a day. Flossing is equally important and needs to be done at least once a day.
- Brushing tip! Don’t rinse or drink water for at least 30 minutes. This will allow the toothpaste to fully absorb into the tooth.
- Check out our article Electric Toothbrush Benefits for more tips.
Have a Supporting Diet
Nutrition plays a huge role in how can you reverse cavities. If you’re feeding the bacteria throughout the day with sugar-supporting foods, then they will continue the decay process past the remineralizing point.
- Eliminate sweets, gummies, candies, gummy vitamins, desserts, sweetened breads, dried fruits, chips, and crackers. Most processed, packaged foods with added sugar also fall in this category.
- Increase unprocessed foods with Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Vitamin D. Also, drink water throughout the day to neutralize bacteria.
For more on a supportive oral health diet, read our Dental Nutrition Guide.
Can You Reverse a Cavity? Prevention is a Better Plan
Routine Dental Visits
Seeing your dental hygienist and dentist at least every 6 months will help remove old bacteria and plaque around the teeth that the toothbrush and floss can’t reach.
Dental x-rays are also very important to diagnosing and monitoring cavities. Can you reverse cavities? It’s a fine line that x-rays will help you to determine.
Minimize Cavity Causing Factors
Oral hygiene isn’t the only factor that continues the cavity progression. The cavity process depends on an unstable environment in the mouth. Factors like acid reflux, clenching and grinding, and mouth breathing all affect oral health.
Maintain Overall Health in the Body
Prioritizing overall health will help reach stability in the mouth’s environment. Maintaining stability in systemic diseases like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease will do wonders for your oral health as well.
It’s also important to do your best to reduce your stress levels. Consult your doctor for help in reaching full-body health stability.
The best thing you can do to avoid asking can you reverse a cavity is to always keep your dentist up-to-date with any changes that you’re experiencing in your mouth. If you suspect you might have a cavity, see your dental health professional immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cavity correct itself?
A cavity will not stop professing on its own. If the cavity is in the beginning stages, you can promote remineralizing through a consistent oral hygiene routine and a supporting diet.
Is it too late to reverse cavities?
Possibly. If you can visibly see the cavity by the yellow or brown discoloration or an obvious hole, then it is most likely too late to reverse the cavity on your own. Your dentist and dental assistant will help restore the tooth and stop the decay process before compromising the tooth.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
