Home Remedies For a Cavity
If you feel a sudden sharp pain while drinking cold water or notice a dark spot on your tooth, your first thought is likely: How can I fix this at home?
We understand that many people look for home remedies for a cavity to manage pain or avoid a trip to the dentist.
While certain natural methods can help strengthen your teeth, it is vital to know the difference between soothing a tooth and actually curing decay.
What are Cavities?
A cavity is a permanently damaged area in the hard surface of your tooth that develops into a tiny opening or hole.
How do cavities form?
Cavities are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks, and not cleaning your teeth well.
- Plaque Formation: Bacteria feed on sugar and produce acid.
- Acid Attack: This acid removes minerals from your tooth’s hard enamel.
- Decay: Once the enamel is breached, the acid and bacteria reach the softer part of the tooth (dentin), creating a hole.
How to Heal Cavities at Home?
When searching for home remedies for a cavity, you will find several popular methods. These are effective at remineralizing (strengthening) your enamel before a hole forms, but they cannot “fill” a hole that is already there.
- Fluoride Toothpaste: This is the most proven way to repair weakened enamel.
- Oil Pulling: Swishing coconut oil may reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth.
- Saltwater Rinses: Helps neutralize acids and reduce inflammation.
- Sugar-Free Gum: Stimulates saliva, which naturally washes away acid.
Can you heal a cavity in 2 days?
The short answer is no. You cannot heal a cavity in 2 days at home.
While you can significantly reduce toothache pain or sensitivity in 48 hours using saltwater rinses or clove oil, the physical hole in the tooth structure requires professional dental intervention to be repaired.
Can cavities go away by brushing?
Can cavities go away by brushing? Only in the very earliest stage, known as “demineralization.” If you see a white spot on your tooth, it means the enamel is weakening.
At this stage, excellent brushing with fluoride toothpaste can stop the process. However, once the spot turns dark or becomes a hole, brushing will not make it disappear.
How to Prevent Cavities
Prevention is the best “home remedy.” To keep your smile healthy without breaking the bank:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily to remove food trapped between teeth where a brush can’t reach.
- Limit sugary snacks, especially sticky candies that stay on the teeth.
- Drink more water, especially tap water that contains fluoride.
When to See a Dentist
You should see a dentist the moment you feel persistent sensitivity or see a visible hole. Small cavities are much cheaper and easier to fix than deep ones that require root canals.
Do all cavities require filling?
A common question we hear is: do all cavities need to be filled? Not necessarily.
- Early decay: If the decay hasn’t broken through the enamel, your dentist might suggest a fluoride treatment to “rearm” the tooth.
- Established cavities: If a hole has formed, a filling is required to prevent the infection from reaching the nerve.
Note: At Somos Dental, we focus on conservative treatment. We only recommend fillings when they are absolutely necessary to save your tooth.
Taking Control of Your Dental Health
Home remedies for a cavity help manage pain and support hygiene, but they cannot replace a dentist. Remember that you cannot heal a cavity in 2 days at home once a hole has already formed.
At Somos Dental in Phoenix and Dallas, we offer affordable care to stop decay early. Combining good habits with professional check-ups is the best way to keep your smile healthy and pain-free.
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