Can You Reverse A Cavity: 5 Most Effective Treatments

Can you reverse a cavity? This is quite a perplexing question in today’s world. Many people go through these cavity issues due to various reasons. If you are looking for answers to reverse a cavity, you have to learn more about the early stages of tooth decay.¹

This article will help you find information about cavities and how can you reserve a cavity.

1. What are Cavities?

The consequences of tooth decay that many people neglect are known as dental caries (or cavities). Tooth decay leads to dental cavities, which appear as holes in your teeth. Sometimes, these holes may go directly deep into your teeth and may cause other dental problems.

You must be aware of these cavities at the initial stage, as they will be extremely dangerous for you and your oral hygiene. These cavities can be prevented by taking the help of a proper oral hygiene routine².

2. The Development of a Cavity: How Does It Happen?

Oral bacteria are something that your oral health hates the most. These oral bacterias produce a kind of acid that will destroy your oral health.

Cavities start to form when your teeth come into contact (or are exposed) with the acid produced by the oral bacteria inside your mouth.

These acids will disturb the mineral levels of your teeth. Over time, because of these acid byproducts, your teeth’ mineral level would start breaking down and causing a cavity.

Mainly, it takes 5 stages for the cavity to develop. These are:

2.1. Demineralization

You can say demineralization is a simple process where the minerals of the teeth get removed. The minerals are normally removed from the teeth area. The enamel is then exposed to the acids coming from the bacteria. This usually occurs due to the consumption of sugary foods, or foods that are stuck to your tooth surface for a long time.

Minerals are pivotal for maintaining the strength of your teeth, and a lack of these would be the first sign of a cavity.

2.2. Enamel Decay

After the demineralization process³, your enamel will slowly break down due to no mineral support. This situation of enamel breaking down would create cavities (or holes) in your teeth.

2.3. Dentin Decay

With time, the stage of decay will start affecting the dentin area, the hole will start getting deeper. Dentin is the second layer of the tooth present below the enamel.

At this stage, the cavity may or may not be painful. Treatment at this stage usually involves the removal of decay and placing a dental filling in the tooth.

2.4. Pulp Decay

The most dangerous part of any cavity stage is reaching the pulp layer. The pulp contains the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth. When the decay reaches the pulp, it may cause immense pain for some people.

Once the cavity reaches to the pulp area, the swelling (or inflammation) and pain generally worsen. At this stage, controlling the inflammation and pain can be very difficult.

2.5. Abscesses

Abscesses are the last stage of tooth decay or cavity after the pulp decay. Sometimes, the bacteria may spread, causing pus (pocket) under your pulp. Some people may not feel any pain while going through this stage, but many folks may notice extremely painful symptoms at this stage.

You can’t predict a proper timeline for all the stages of tooth decay. However, you can prevent tooth decay by adding appropriate brushing and flossing techniques to your daily routine.

If you brush your teeth twice daily, it will protect your teeth from cavities or tooth decay. Now, let’s find the answer to the question, How can you reverse a cavity?

3. Can You Reverse a Cavity?

According to the dentist or any professional (dental), reversing a cavity is quite possible if you sight the problem at the initial stage. Here, the initial stage refers to the demineralization of minerals.⁴

You should be able to get an idea about the cavities at the first stage, and then it will be easier for you to reverse the cavity. During this stage, proper oral hygiene could help in getting back the mineral loss.

For the question, ‘Can you reverse a cavity?’ The answer would be yes. You can reverse tooth decay by using effective toothpaste and following the correct brushing method.

You can also avoid sugary foods, as they will not only prevent the formation of plaque but will protect your teeth from cavities. Fluoride would be the best friend of your teeth (enamel).

Your teeth should come in repeated exposure to the fluoride for acting as a shield against the cavity. Fluoride is also responsible for providing natural strength to your teeth.

Sometimes you can’t help cavities from becoming worse. In that case, you may have to undergo treatments available for treating the cavities. These are:

3.1. Fillings

Composite fillings (or resins) are used to fill the smaller cavities. You can ask your dentist for a better suggestion about this method of treatment.

3.2. Inlays (or Onlays)

Sometimes, filling resins can not cover up your large cavity issues. Here, inlays work pretty well to treat larger cavities.

3.3. Crowns

A cavity may keep on spreading to a large area of your tooth. Here, your dentist may ask you for a crown.

3.4. Root Canals

If the cavity has gone to the pulp layer of your teeth, then you may have to go for a tooth canal.

A root canal will help insert the fillings into your pulp (inner part of the teeth). Root canals are mainly taken up when there is pulp decay.

3.5. Extractions

Your cavity problems can be fixed by doing extractions. When there is no chance that a cavity could be treated, your dentist would call for extractions. You can take extractions as the ultimate way to fight and get rid of the cavity.

4. How to Prevent a Cavity?

Good oral hygiene always comes as a protection shield for any dental problem.

You can follow the below-mentioned steps to prevent cavity problems and maintain a good oral health hygiene system:

4.1 Brushing Technique

Try to brush your teeth properly, and make sure you use a well-designed brush for your mouth. Sometimes, the type of brush you use may also affect your oral health. So, be careful about brushing twice a day and the movement of your brushing style also.

Your brushing style should be appropriate enough to clear out all the dirt and bacteria that may hamper your teeth. If any, the plaque would have been formed in your teeth or gum area; it will also be cleared.

You can also use fluoride toothpaste while brushing your teeth to protect your enamel better.

4.2 Flossing

Flossing your teeth (mouth) is another important way for people to reverse a cavity. Flossing properly after brushing your teeth will help remove many bad bacteria and germs that may host cavity problems.

You can floss before bed for better results and to improve your oral hygiene.

4.3 Fluorides

Fluorides⁵ are blessings for your teeth (enamel). The more you will start exposing your teeth to fluoride kinds of toothpaste to protect your teeth from the issues of a cavity, the better the results will be.

There are many fluoride treatments that you may ask your doctor for good teeth health.

Not only toothpaste, but many other products come with high fluoride content for the safety of your teeth. An addition of fluorides to your oral care regime would change the game of your teeth health.

4.4 Avoid Sugar

Avoiding sugary products could be the least you can do for healthy oral health. Sugar products (or starchy products) are not good for teeth if consumed in a high amount.

Sugar foods would become the best friend of the tooth decay process.

4.5 Visit a Dentist

Visiting an expert in the dental platform is another way to avoid or reverse cavity issues.

If you are still looking to reverse a cavity, then a dental expert is the best person to answer. You can also take appointments for cleaning in intervals.

Cleaning your teeth every 6 months would also help ward off bacteria, hence promoting good oral health.

Cavity filling is extremely important at the earlier stage. Sometimes, you may not be able to reverse a cavity independently, as the size would keep increasing with each stage of the cavity development. There you may have to trust your doctor only for better review and treatment.

5. In the End

Are you still pondering over the question, can you reverse a cavity? If yes, then you must take the answer as a yes. There are some things that you must keep in your mind, oral hygiene is a great way to fight and reverse the cavity.

No doubt! You can reverse a cavity if you recognize the cavity at a very early stage.

Read more about Can cavities cause headaches.

6. FAQs

6.1 Are There Any Limits to Cavity Reversal?

Cavity reversal does have its limitations. A cavity usually needs professional intervention, such as fillings or root canals, once it has proceeded to a more advanced level and reached the dentin or pulp of the tooth, in order to restore the tooth’s integrity.

6.2 What Steps May People Take to Avoid Cavities?

People should adopt good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing every day, avoiding foods and drinks that are high in sugar and acid, and going to the dentist for routine checkups and cleanings.

6.3 Do You Need a Dentist’s Advice to Reverse a Cavity?

Yes, a dentist consultation is necessary for a correct diagnosis and individualized treatment plan. Dentists can determine the size of the cavity, perform the necessary procedures, and give advice on preventive measures to keep your mouth healthy.

1. Ramezani, Seddigheh, et al. “Stages of change for Tooth decay preventive behaviors and related factors among sample of elementary school students.” J Health Sci Technol 1 (2017): 93-99. ↩︎
2. Bonetti, Debbie, et al. “Improving oral hygiene for patients.” Nursing Standard (2014+) 29.19 (2015): 44. ↩︎
3. Zhang, Min, Ralph M. Powers Jr, and Lloyd Wolfinbarger Jr. “Effect (s) of the demineralization process on the osteoinductivity of demineralized bone matrix.” Journal of periodontology 68.11 (1997): 1085-1092. ↩︎
4. Moreno, E. C., and R. T. Zahradnik. “Demineralization and Remineralization of Dental Enamel _.” Journal of dental research 58.2_suppl (1979): 896-903. ↩︎
5. World Health Organization. Fluorine and fluorides. World Health Organization, 1984. ↩︎

Last Updated on July 22, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology