15 Home Remedies for Cavities

Ever heard someone mention healing cavities naturally? It’s true; you can use home remedies for cavities just like other ailments. With cavities affecting many adults and children, these remedies can alleviate discomfort and improve daily life, based on personal experiences and research. In this article, we’ll explore home remedies for dental cavities, essentially a DIY dental treatment. Before diving in, let’s understand what dental cavities are and how they form.

What is Dental Cavities?

Every individual is susceptible to dental cavities throughout their lifetime, and there is an increase in the prevalence of this chronic disease (1). It is also known as tooth decay, dental decay, or dental caries.

Enamel is the outer surface of the tooth. A dental cavity is a localized chemical dissolution of the tooth surface that leads to small holes on the surface of the tooth.

Risk factors for cavities include insufficient saliva formation and flow, poor oral hygiene, a large number of cariogenic bacteria in the mouth, inadequate exposure to exposure, and inappropriate ways of feeding infants (2, 3).

A dental cavity is a dynamic process that is formed through a complex interaction between bacteria that produces acid and fermentable carbohydrates.

The teeth and saliva also take part in these interactions. The disease can occur in the crowns and roots of teeth. The bacteria create acid from sugar that forms a sticky film called plaque on the teeth.

The plaque formation causes demineralization of the enamel which causes cavities. It can cause aggressive tooth decay that affects the primary teeth of children (2, 4, 5). It is reversible in its initial stages and can be arrested even in advanced stages (3).

The basis of primary prevention is the modification of conventional risk factors for removing cavities (2).

Home Remedies for Cavities

1. Change Lifestyle Habits

Altering your lifestyle habits can significantly impact cavity prevention. Here’s how:

• Maintain good oral hygiene: Brush and floss regularly, and use mouthwash to keep your mouth clean and free from harmful bacteria.
• Limit sugary foods and drinks: Reducing sugar intake can prevent tooth decay by starving harmful bacteria.
• Drink water after meals: Rinsing your mouth with water can wash away food particles and neutralize acids.
• Chew sugar-free gum: This promotes saliva production, helping to clean your teeth and reduce cavities.
• Prioritize dental check-ups: Regular visits to the dentist can detect early signs of tooth decay and ensure proper treatment.

2. Use Calcium and Magnesium Powders

Using calcium and magnesium powders is an effective home remedy for cavities. These minerals are essential for maintaining strong teeth and healthy enamel. By incorporating calcium and magnesium powders into your oral care routine, you can support the remineralization process, helping to repair minor damage and prevent the formation of new cavities. Combining this practice with other home remedies for cavities can significantly improve your dental health.

You can use calcium and magnesium tablets, grind them to make a fine powder, and use them to brush your teeth. Try to use it every day.

3. Salt Water

Rinsing your mouth with salt water is a simple yet effective home remedy for cavities. Salt water acts as a natural antiseptic, helping to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation in your mouth. By incorporating salt water rinses into your daily oral care routine, you can combat harmful bacteria and minimize the risk of cavities. This, along with other home remedies for cavities, can greatly contribute to improved dental health.

Take water(warm) in a cup or glass and mix the salt in it. You can rinse or gargle with this salt water. Rinse the cavities properly. Do it twice or thrice a day

4. Eggshells

Utilizing eggshells is an unconventional but potentially beneficial home remedy for cavities. Eggshells are rich in calcium and other minerals that can help strengthen tooth enamel. By grinding eggshells into a fine powder and using it as toothpaste or adding it to your food, you can promote remineralization and combat tooth decay. Including eggshells in your arsenal of home remedies for cavities can support overall dental health and prevent further cavity formation.

According to research, Add coconut oil and baking soda to it. Mix it to make a paste and store it in an airtight container. Brush your teeth with it every day.

5. Bone Broth

Incorporating bone broth into your diet is a nourishing home remedy for cavities. Rich in minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, bone broth helps strengthen your teeth and promote remineralization.

Additionally, it contains collagen and other nutrients that support healthy gums and connective tissue. By consuming bone broth regularly, you can improve your dental health and complement other home remedies for cavities, effectively preventing further tooth decay.

6. Neem

Neem is an effective, healthy, and productive method to clean your teeth. It has a potent oil in this plant. People are using it for a long time as a home remedy for many mouth infections, including tooth decay.

It is also useful for preventing sore and bleeding gums.

The teeth and gums become strong by chewing on the neem twig. The neem contains such natural products that inhibit bacteria production and action inside the mouth that prevent tooth decay. It contains high fiber that inhibits plaque formation.

Chew the neem twig for some time. Rinse your mouth with water. You can also use neem oil. Apply it on the affected tooth. Do it every day to keep your mouth clean.

7. Lemon

Lemons are a natural source of vitamin C and can be used as one of the home remedies for cavities. Vitamin C is essential for maintaining gum health and preventing gingivitis, which can contribute to tooth decay.

However, it’s important to be cautious when using lemon for dental care, as citric acid can erode tooth enamel when used excessively. To safely use lemon as a home remedy for cavities, consider consuming it in moderation and rinsing your mouth with water afterward to neutralize the acidity.

Chew a lemon slice for some minutes. Rinse your mouth with water after doing it. Whenever you feel pain in your teeth, you can use this method.

8. Clove Oil or Eucalyptus Oil

Clove oil is an excellent home remedy to reduce the pain caused by cavities. The clove contains an oil called “eugenol” that has a pain-relieving(analgesic) effect. This oil also has antimicrobial properties that suppress the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Massage the tooth cavity area by taking a small amount of clove oil on your finger. Use a cotton swab immersed in clove oil if you can’t reach the affected tooth area with a finger. Apply it twice or thrice a day for the best results.

Eucalyptus oil inhibits the growth of bacteria responsible for tooth decay and cavities. Add eucalyptus oil on your regular toothpaste and brush your teeth every day with it until the healing of cavities occurs.

9. Green Tea

Green tea is a fantastic addition to your list of home remedies for cavities. Rich in antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory properties, green tea helps to fight oral bacteria and reduce plaque formation. Furthermore, it aids in maintaining overall oral health and freshening breath.

By regularly drinking green tea, you can effectively support your dental health and complement other home remedies for cavities in preventing tooth decay.

10. Butter Oil and Cod Liver Oil

Incorporating butter oil and cod liver oil into your diet can be valuable home remedies for cavities. Both oils are rich in essential fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K, which are crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. These vitamins help with the absorption of calcium and other minerals, promoting remineralization and strengthening tooth enamel.

By regularly consuming butter oil and cod liver oil, you can support overall dental health and complement other home remedies for cavities, effectively preventing tooth decay.

11. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera has compounds called anthraquinones. They control the bacteria count in the mouth that causes tooth decay. It also has anti-inflammatory effects that reduce swelling and pain. It has wound-healing components as well that promote faster recovery.

After brushing your teeth, rinse the aloe vera juice inside your mouth for some time ( one to two minutes). To remove the unpleasant taste of aloe vera juice, rinse with some clean water or some mouthwash.

Do it regularly. You can use aloe vera gel as your toothpaste as well.

12. Vegetable Oil and Oil of Oregano

We call it “oil pulling.” It is useful in reducing infection by decreasing the number of bacteria in the mouth and also relieving pain. Using oil pulls out the bacteria, and they get trapped in the oil. This method also lessens the swelling of gums.

Oil pulling does not cause a reversal of already present tooth decay, but it is effective in preventing further cavities. The efficacy of oil pulling becomes double when brushing and flossing are done alongside it. Rinse your mouth for some minutes with vegetable oil, and then spit it out. Do this twice or thrice a day. You can also use coconut oil for this purpose.

People have reported good results by using it. It acts as an antiseptic that prevents dental cavities and tooth decay. Oregano also contains some components that have antimicrobial properties that help reduce the total number of harmful bacteria. Brush your teeth with oil of oregano every day to slow down the growth rate of cavities and avoid further tooth decay.

13. Nutmeg, Turmeric, and Peppermint

Using nutmeg, turmeric, and peppermint as part of your dental care routine can be effective home remedies for cavities. Nutmeg has antibacterial properties that help to combat oral bacteria, while turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities, which can aid in reducing plaque and gingivitis. Peppermint, on the other hand, freshens your breath and possesses antibacterial properties that help maintain overall oral hygiene.

By incorporating these natural ingredients into your dental care, you can support your dental health and enhance the effectiveness of other home remedies for cavities in preventing tooth decay.

Read the details about the: 10 Most Incredible Turmeric Health Benefits

14. Licorice Root

Licorice root is an impressive home remedy for cavities, thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. These qualities help combat oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. By chewing on licorice root or using a toothpaste containing licorice extract, you can support overall dental health and work alongside other home remedies for cavities to effectively prevent tooth decay.

Try to chew this root twice or thrice a day for good results. However, use it in moderation to avoid potential side effects, such as high blood pressure, from excessive consumption.

15. Garlic

Garlic is a powerful home remedy for cavities due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps combat oral bacteria, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. To harness the benefits of garlic, you can chew on a fresh garlic clove or incorporate it into your meals.

By using garlic as part of your dental care routine, you can complement other home remedies for cavities and effectively support your overall oral health. However, be sure to brush your teeth or rinse your mouth afterward to avoid lingering garlic breath.

These methods may not get rid of cavities in a day, but they are useful in arresting tooth disease and preventing the formation of new cavities. These remedies will make the enamel( outer surface of the tooth) strong by promoting mineralization. But, you should consult a dentist as early as possible after detecting teeth cavities.

When to See a Dentist for Cavities

If you are still suffering from dental cavities after trying these home remedies, you should consult a dentist now. Adults can observe the changes in teeth easily, but children can’t. So, parents should try to look after the progression of teeth problems in children and consult a dentist if needed.

According to NHS, consult a dentist immediately if pain due to cavities is for more than two days that don’t go away with painkillers or you have a fever, pain while biting something, red gums, or a foul taste in your mouth and swelling of cheek or jaw.

These home remedies for cavities are a sort of dental treatment at home, but they don’t replace the actual dental consultation. You should make an appointment with your dentist if the pain is out of proportion, or if these home remedies fail.