Is It Possible To Reverse Tooth Decay?
The answer to this question is ‘maybe’. A Wickford dentist explains.
Some of you will probably have come across articles or advertisements on the internet that claim to reverse tooth decay and to restore the affected tooth. At least one of these shows a video of a badly decayed tooth being applied with a product that, within days or weeks, totally restores the tooth. We can tell you now, quite frankly, that this is a ridiculous claim and is simply a waste of money at the very best.
However, there is ‘some’ truth in the theory that teeth can repair themselves to some extent. Unfortunately, this only happens when the problem first starts. More extensive decay will need to be treated by one of the dentists at the Cygnet Dental Practice.
Early enamel damage
When a tooth starts to decay, the initial damage occurs when acids or bacteria attack the hard enamel surface of a tooth. This early stage can sometimes be indicated by the appearance of white spots on the tooth surface. At this stage, it is possible for the tooth to repair itself by a process known as remineralisation. For this to happen though, a number of things might have to occur.
1 – A healthy saliva flow is essential as this contains minerals such as calcium which help to restore the tooth. It also helps to neutralise any acids in the mouth which may otherwise continue to damage the enamel.
2 – Fluoride is essential in helping the tooth to repair itself. This is found in most toothpastes and your dentist may prescribe a toothpaste with higher levels of fluoride in some instances. The fluoride will help the enamel absorb more minerals and will also help to reduce acidity too.
3 – Your diet should be rich in good healthy foods that contain calcium, such as dairy products like milk and cheese, while at the same time reducing sweets and other sugar containing products that create the acids that damage the enamel.
4 – Finally, as you would expect, good oral hygiene should be a given, and brushing your teeth and flossing is essential for healthy teeth.
If you even suspect that you suspect that decay might be occurring, you should see your dentist for further advice.
Advanced tooth decay
Once the decaying process has damaged the enamel to the extent that the dentin layer that lies below the enamel surface has been compromised, nothing that you do will enable the tooth to restore itself. Whatever you attempt to do at home or whatever ‘miracle’ method you read about on the internet, at this stage, you will need the intervention of one of your experienced Wickford dentists to restore the tooth.
At this stage, there are a number of options available; the use of which will depend on the extent of the damage.
Fillings – This is the most likely solution where the damage is still at a relatively early stage. For those of you who are concerned about the visibility of amalgam fillings, you will be pleased to know that we are able to provide white tooth fillings that can be made to match the shade of your tooth. Fillings provide an excellent means of restoring a decaying tooth and should last for many years with good general oral health care.
Root canal treatment – In some cases, the infection may have reached as far as the root canals of the tooth. This will require a root canal procedure, which, despite its reputation, should not be feared and is an excellent way of restoring a tooth that would otherwise have to be extracted.
Crowns – A dental crown may be used to restore a tooth where decay is quite extensive. It is also likely that one will be used to complete the procedure if you have root canal therapy.
Extractions – While we will do all that we can to save a tooth, sometimes this isn’t possible, or the prognosis might be too poor to warrant the treatment. In this situation, the tooth may need to be extracted and replaced with an implant or partial denture. We will be pleased to discuss these options with you at the time.
At the Cygnet Dental Practice, we believe that prevention is better than cure, and we strongly advise patients to see our dentists and hygienists every six months to help maintain a healthy set of teeth and gums. These regular appointments also enable us to treat any decay that is found as soon as possible and to ensure that any treatment is as minimal as possible.
If you would like to book a check up appointment with us, or if you feel concerned about a problem with a tooth, please do call us today on 01268 733078 and our team will be delighted to assist you.