3 Natural Methods for Preventing Cavities

You know how harmful sugar and carbohydrates can be to your waistline, but do you know how damaging they can be to your teeth? You’ve likely heard your dentist explain why it’s necessary to limit these in your diet to avoid cavities and other common dental problems, but how else can you minimize harmful bacteria in your mouth? A dentist in Weyauwega shares 3 natural remedies that help fight plaque and the development of cavities.

3 Ways to Combat Plaque and Lower Your Risk for Cavities

When bacteria are present within your mouth, the food you consume turns into acid and results in plaque formations. This sticky substance adheres to your teeth when mixed with your saliva, which can become extremely difficult to remove if left in place for too long. As a result, you are left with present tooth decay.

Apart from limiting foods and beverages that can easily cause plaque and bacteria to form in your mouth (i.e. sugars, starches), you might also try incorporating these natural remedies. Not only are they designed to minimize plaque but also decrease your chances of developing cavities over time:

• Tea: Researchers have found that animals fed cavity-causing foods experienced a lower presence of tooth decay when given black tea. The reason is the polyphenols found in this type of tea can more easily kill or suppress bacteria that cause cavities, and it affected the bacteria enzymes that cause plaque to form.
• Cranberry: Delicious to eat on their own, cranberries are another natural way to prevent increased acid production in your mouth. A specific enzyme in the cranberry prevents bacteria from adhering to your teeth and causing cavities to form. It also reduces the likeliness that you’ll experience other, more serious oral diseases because it has great anti-inflammatory properties.
• Shiitake: Shiitake mushrooms are a great snack if you’re looking to minimize the potential for cavities. Not only do they have anti-inflammatory components, but they also kill bad bacteria, reducing your chances of developing tooth decay, gum disease, and plaque formations.

What to Do if You Have a Cavity

While taking steps to prevent cavities is important, it may be that you already have one developing. So, what can you do? Should you begin to notice pain developing in a particular tooth, sensitivity when eating or drinking hot or cold foods or beverages, stains, or discomfort when biting down, it’s time to see your holistic dentist in Weyauwega.

During your visit, he will examine your oral cavity using an intraoral camera. This will allow him to show you the problem area and provide treatment recommendations. Depending on the severity of the cavity, it may be possible to fill it with a composite resin that is matched to your natural tooth color or create a metal-free dental crown that will fit over the weakened tooth to help strengthen and protect it from further damage or decay.

No matter the solution, when faced with a cavity, it is best to seek treatment immediately instead of waiting until it gets worse. Your dentist is your ally in the fight against tooth decay, so make sure you let him take the appropriate course of action to get your smile back on track.

About the Author
With more than 40 years of experience working in dentistry, Dr. William Twohig has worked with a large group of natural practitioners, chiropractors, acupuncturists, traditional doctors, and specialists. Combining his talents with those of his team, they provide a natural and holistic approach when offering a wide range of care including preventative, periodontal and gum disease treatment, emergency care, restorative dentistry, aesthetic dentistry, ozone dentistry, dental implants, and more. Whether dealing with the effects of tooth decay or gum disease, visit our website or call (920) 867-3101 to find out how we can help you.