Tooth decay predominantly occurs when foods or drinks containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches) are consumed and left on or in between teeth for an extended period of time. When your teeth are not cleaned properly, it promotes the bacteria that thrive on these compounds to eat away at the enamel of the tooth causing decay or a cavity. Cavities can be painful and can even affect overall health.
In today’s society, there is a common belief that once a cavity is diagnosed, it cannot be reversed and the only fix is to have the cavity removed by your dentist. Although this is a very good practice to keep the infection from spreading, there are techniques to prevent and even reverse cavities naturally. For instance, diet. Diet is one of the most influential items when it comes to our health, and yes it applies to cavities too. Along with a proper diet and regular 6-month dental exams, here are two at home remedies for you and your family to prevent or help treat a cavity.
CLOVE TREATMENT
Cloves act as a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial for your body. They can even be used to treat the discomforts of a cavity and help reduce the spread of the infection to other teeth.
What You Need:
3 drops clove oil
¼ teaspoon sesame oil
Cotton ball
Bowl
How to Use It:
Combine the above ingredients into a bowl. After stirring, dip a cotton ball into the liquid the apply onto the affected teeth. Do this every night before bed to help prevent and/or treat cavities.
SALT TOOTHPASTE
Bacteria and salt do not get along. The antiseptic properties of salt make it a winner in the fight against tooth decay. Here is an at home toothpaste recipe to you can try!
What You Need:
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon pink himalayan salt (medium course)
1 tablespoon baking soda
15 drops of peppermint oil
How to Use It:
Combine above ingredients together and apply to the toothbrush, Begin a gentle cleanse of the teeth. Use caution as a salt scrub for teeth can cause some irritation to the surrounding gums.