Are you suffering from a painful toothache? Various conditions related to the teeth are very painful and hard to deal with; however, cavities might be the worst of all. They can make your day-to-day activities truly awful. Thankfully, there are some home remedies that may alleviate the pain of a cavity.
Read on to learn more about cavities and learn various ways to deal with them at home.
What are Cavities?
Cavities are small holes that occur in teeth as a result of tooth decay. They often result as a lack of dental hygiene and the development of plaque and various bacteria, but they can also be caused certain mineral deficiencies.
The onset of tooth decay is characterized by the presence of black spots in the cavities. There are times that, despite all the effort, care, and precautions, one might still get affected by tooth decay, which can ultimately lead to the development of cavities. In this case, you can opt to try some home remedies for cavities to alleviate the symptoms and take your oral health to the next level.
What Causes Cavities?
Caries, or dental cavities, are often caused by the bacteria on the teeth’s surface, which creates acid out of sugars. The Streptococcus mutans is the most common culprit of cavities in teeth. These bacteria form a sticky film that we know as plaque.
The acids in the plaque remove the minerals from the enamel of the teeth. The enamel is mainly made of calcium and phosphate, which makes it strong. But, erosion of the teeth’s nutrients cause tiny holes and, once the acid damage spreads in the dentin, the cavity forms.
Risk Factors for Cavities
Here are some of the risk factors for developing cavities:
-Infant feeding at bedtime.
-Inadequate cleaning of teeth.
-Heartburn due to an acidic reaction.
-Frequent eating of sugary foods or drinks, like cereals, ice creams, and soda.
-Eating sweet foods, like candies and chocolates.
-Having a medical condition or dry mouth that reduces the saliva in the mouth.
Once the cavities have penetrated in the dentin, it is hard to get free from it at home. You must consult your dentist once in a while to prevent further complications regarding your teeth and overall oral health.
Home Remedies for Cavities
Here are some of the best home remedies for cavities:
Bone Broth. Since it is rich in various minerals and vitamins, it is beneficial in improving the digestive system and strengthens nails, hair, and skin, and teeth. Furthermore, its rich calcium that’s good for the teeth.
Mouthwash with fluoride. This method is good for remineralizing the teeth, since lack of minerals may cause the buildup of plaque and cavities.
Saltwater. This most probably the most common home remedy for any tooth-related problem. This method helps in keeping the mouth clean and free from bacteria. It works because the salt solution balances the acidic pH that causes cavities and tooth decay.
Tea. Tea helps in reducing the production of plaque on the teeth, and it can also kill germs.
Garlic. The antifungal and antimicrobial properties of garlic help in getting rid of cavities. Furthermore, it can also help in relieving tooth pain associated with advanced cavities.
Lemon. With its rich source of vitamin C, lemon juice helps in killing germs on the teeth and helps in easing the pain caused by cavities.
Vegetable oil. Some also call this method “oil pulling.” This is effective in relieving pain and reducing the risk for a tooth infection. The swishing action of it helps in pulling the bacteria from the teeth to be removed with the oil.
Rock salt. Rock salt, just like the salt water solution, helps in balancing the levels of pH in the teeth, which then kills the bacteria.
Vanilla essence. If in its pure form, it is an effective remedy you can use to relieve the symptoms of a cavity.
Conclusion
Maintaining the oral health is very important. You must take care of your teeth not just to look great to others, but mostly for yourself. You must be very cautious about the foods you eat since diet may play a large role in some tooth-related conditions.
If it happens that you acquire black spots on your teeth, try using some home remedies for cavities to relieve your condition. These are all very effective and you’ll never go wrong with them.