There are natural ways to slow the progression of cavities and simultaneously relieve pain. Plants are the best helpers for this. You can resort to natural remedies to fight infection, strengthen teeth, improve blood circulation in the gums and stop bleeding.
Tooth decay is the most common disease in the world. It affects the vast majority of society, both children and adults. According to the World Health Organization, 60-90 percent of school-age children and nearly all adults worldwide have caries.
Good oral hygiene and eating foods low in sugar and acids help prevent tooth decay.
How does tooth decay occur?
Cavities are caused by the sugars in food and the influence of bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria are aggravated in dental plaque, a whitish element that also contains saliva and food particles. Dental plaque accumulates on the tooth surface and is removed by brushing the teeth. When dental plaque remains on the teeth, the bacteria it contains converts the sugars in food into acids. These attack the tooth by creating a hole in its surface, this is tooth decay. If the cavity is not treated, the hole will become larger and the cavity will deepen.
Cavities first form on the outer layer of the tooth, namely the enamel. It then penetrates the dentin under the enamel.
If the cavity is not treated, it reaches the pulp (dental pulp) where the end and blood vessels are located in the center of the tooth. The cavities cause the pulp to die and thus leave a cavity inside the tooth. Bacteria from the mouth can then enter this cavity and cause an infection.
Caries development occurs in 4 stages. In the first step, decay is finite with tooth enamel, there is no pain. In the second stage, caries reaches the dentin, the tooth becomes sensitive to heat and cold. In the third step, the caries reaches the pulp, toothache begins. In the fourth stage, the pulp becomes infected and a dental abscess occurs.
Causes of dental caries
The causes of tooth decay are many, but sugars consumed in the middle of meals are the main culprits. However, bad oral hygiene is also a word.
The natural sensitivity of the tooth, nutrition and oral hygiene are the determining factors in tooth decay.
The natural sensitivity of the tooth varies from person to person, there are teeth that are naturally resistant to caries and teeth that decay very easily. This condition is genetic. In addition, tooth enamel is very resistant to decay, while root is very susceptible to decay.
Sugar and acid are the enemies of tooth enamel. There is a lot of sugar in processed foods and sodas. In fact, every packaged treat contains sugar, in ketchup, juices, and even potato chips. Sugar is ubiquitous, so it’s hard to stay away from it. The worst are carbonated and sugary drinks. Following a healthy diet with minimal processed foods is invaluable for healthy teeth.
Bacteria are everywhere. There are millions of bacteria in our mouth. These bacteria feed on sugar and release acid. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent them from sticking to the teeth. Bacteria are not very dangerous when they are alone or scattered. However, after a while, they stick together and form dental plaque and secrete acid that can dissolve tooth enamel. For this reason, it is very valuable to follow the rules of oral hygiene.
10 herbs that are effective against tooth decay
There are natural herbal remedies available to slow the progression of cavities and protect teeth. Here are herbs that fight gum problems and dental infections, strengthen teeth and improve circulation in the gums, stop bleeding gums and also stimulate saliva production.
Cardamom
Thanks to the antibiotic-influenced cineole element it contains, cardamom cleans the teeth and stimulates saliva secretion, while protecting the teeth against plaque formation. For this, it is sufficient to use cardamom seeds as chewing gum after meals. It is also possible to consume as a tea 3 times a day by adding lemon, which is rich in vitamin C.
garlic and onion
Garlic and onions have an antibiotic effect and contain sulfur compounds that improve blood circulation in the gums. Consumption of garlic and onions is recommended to slow the progression of dental caries. Consume it raw or undercooked to reap all its benefits. You can put raw onions in salads and minced garlic in soups.
stevia
Stevia contains 30 antibacterial compounds. For this reason, this plant is used in the treatment of some dental and oral diseases such as caries, gingivitis or wounds. You can chew a few leaves of stevia to prevent tooth decay.
Mint
You may have noticed that many toothpastes contain menthol. Menthol is a valuable ingredient to keep the breath fresh at all times and to stimulate saliva production. It is also effective against dry mouth that causes bad breath, gingivitis and caries. It also has antibiotic properties. For this, drink a cup of mint tea systematically after meals.
Thyme
Thyme has been known for its antibiotic properties since ancient times. Thanks to its high thymol content, it can control gum infections very well. Just make a thyme mouthwash for treatment. It is enough to add a teaspoon of dried thyme to 150 ml of water and make garara. You can also use other herbs that are strong in thymol, such as rosemary and basil.
Green tea
With its high tannin content, green tea has the power to reduce bleeding from the gums. But that’s not all, it also removes bad breath and has antimicrobial properties that protect the mouth against infections that cause inflammation. Because of all these, it is used in many toothpastes. In addition, studies have shown that green tea prevents cavities. You can use green tea as a mouthwash or consume it directly as tea.
Ginger
Ginger is known to be a very effective antibacterial, pain reliever and anti-inflammatory. When consumed regularly, it has the feature of reducing gingivitis and pain. To take advantage of its benefits on bruises, mix it with lemon and use it as a mouthwash.
clove oil
Clove oil is great for filling cavities in tooth decay. It is also used as a pain reliever and disinfectant. To treat your tooth decay, mix a teaspoon of cloves in 100 ml of boiling water, let it act for 15 minutes, then add fresh lemon juice and gargle with the solution.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a very strong natural antibiotic against dental plaque, thanks to its active ingredient cineole or eucalyptol. It is a disinfectant for the gums at the same time. For tooth decay, brew a teaspoon of dried eucalyptus root with a little lemon juice. Use the mixture as a mouthwash.
Cumin
Cumin has antimicrobial properties, which allows it to fight dental plaque. Many people use it as a preventative against oral cavities and gingivitis. Chew cumin seeds for good oral hygiene.