How can you cure tooth decay?

introduction

If the dentist wants to cure tooth decay, he must ideally make a correct assessment of the depth of the caries and the condition of the affected tooth at an early stage.

Various options are available to him for this. Often, caries detectors, liquids that stain carious areas of the tooth, are used.
X-ray overview images (OPGs) or small images of individual teeth (Dental films) allow a precise assessment of the caries depth, but are only made in special cases due to the relatively high radiation exposure. Nevertheless, it would make more sense to take an X-ray before attempting to cure tooth decay.

Once a “rotten tooth” is recognized as such, further treatment depends on the stage of the caries development.
Read on under: How does tooth decay develop?

Decalcification processes in the area of ​​the tooth enamel are the preliminary stage of a "real tooth decay". This decalcification (Initial caries) can hardly be recognized by laypeople as small white spots on the tooth surface, but can usually be dealt with quickly with fluoride therapy.
The patient himself can cure the tooth decay by using special fluoride preparations that remineralize and harden the tooth enamel. Caries healing works comfortably from home.
When using toothpastes containing fluoride, you should still follow the instructions of the dentist treating you (Use usually once a week), because an overdose can quickly lead to unsightly fluoride deposits.

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Reached a Caries not only the enamel, but also the one underneath Dentin (Dentinal caries), must be treated more extensively. One is enough to cure the tooth decay Fluoridation no longer off.
Under these conditions it is necessary for the dentist to remove the carious areas and some of the healthy tooth substance. This serves to prevent possible new caries formation under the later Tooth filling to avoid. Every tooth decay leads to the loss of healthy tooth structure.
The tooth is then provided with filling material. The filling material is selected individually depending on the tooth condition.

The different fillings

In general, one differentiates between stare and plastic Filling materials.

Rigid materials are made outside the mouth in the laboratory and then inserted into the tooth. In the past, this involved time-consuming molding (make an impression) of the teeth are necessary, the "impressions" were cast into models in the laboratory and the rigid filling material was made from the tooth template.
For some time, however, this has no longer been absolutely necessary; the dentist can carry out some steps much more cheaply and easily in their own practice. Ultimately, that means that Caries healing using rigid filling materials can be offered a lot cheaper. Rigid filling materials are rarely used for small carious defects because they are still quite expensive compared to plastic materials. In addition, more healthy tooth substance must be removed when preparing the tooth. However, in terms of resilience and durability, these materials are more reliable.

Plastic materials (especially composites / Plastics and amalgam) are directly in the tooth introduced, formed there and then cured. They are particularly suitable for small tooth defects. Nowadays composites / plastics are the means of choice, which is to be justified in that Amalgam fillings harmful properties are said to be.
However, experts are still not in agreement on whether so much amalgam will come off the fillings in the long term to pose a real danger to healthy people.

Assumption of costs

Healing caries is basically covered by statutory health insurance, but both plastic fillings and treatment with rigid materials require additional payment from the patient. Patients with established Renal failure or better known Amalgam intolerance (allergy) are the exception, because in these cases the health insurance company must completely cover the cost of each plastic filling.

In the case of deep dental caries (caries profunda), here more than 2/3 of the dentin is affected, this is also important in addition to the actual healing of the caries Pulp (Pulp, popularly "Dental nerve“) to protect. Therefore, a so-called underfilling is carried out before the tooth filling.
It is about bringing in one containing calcium hydroxide Drug intended to stimulate the dentin replica in the depth of the hole. Only then is the actual tooth filling performed. Should the caries attack and / or the preparation of the tooth ("drill“) The outer wall of the tooth has been damaged, so-called matrices are used for shaping. These matrices help the dentist to replicate the natural wall of the tooth and create a relatively flat surface.

Progression of caries

Will be a deep one Caries if not cured early, the so-called penetrating dental caries (caries penetrans). The infestation extends through the dentin to the pulp cavity (Pulp cavity), so the pulp is in direct contact with the caries causing bacteria.
These bacteria cause inflammation, damage tooth pulp and the nerve fibers within, and lead to strong, stinging Toothache. If the dentist wants to cure this caries, he can no longer do so with a tooth filling including underfilling.

In this case, tooth pulp and nerve fibers must be removed. The nerve fibers run in a canal within the tooth root (Root canal) to the Jawbone enough. In order to prevent the inflammatory processes from spreading to the jawbone, this canal must also be freed from nerve fibers and disinfected. An antibacterial drug is usually left in the tooth for a few days. This treatment is called Root canal preparation (short: WK). The dentist then fills the root canal with a material that is compatible with the body and places both a "normal" tooth filling (Root canal filling WF).

In the case of very deep caries defects, root canal treatment is the most important way to preserve the affected tooth. In the case of very extensive caries defects, a Dental crown become necessary.

Can a hole heal again?

In most cases, a hole in the tooth is preceded by tooth decay. As described above, the caries can of course be inactivated. This would stop the caries and at least no longer widen the hole due to the bacteria.

Often such a small hole can be found in a fissure in the molar. The dentist gets stuck there with the pointed probe, but the superficial lesion does not grow further over time. There is therefore no risk of tooth decay and no urgent need for treatment.

However, the cariously destroyed tooth is a problem in that the carious hard tooth substance is less firm and therefore less stable. With greater chewing forces, the surface of the tooth can break in or a piece of the tooth can break off. A hole that has already formed in the tooth surface will never go by itself because the body is unable to produce new enamel. It can and should only be refilled by the dentist in order to prevent major damage and to ensure the chewing function of a tooth.

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nutrition

Diet and tooth decay are closely related. This is especially true of the Professional group of bakers clear. In earlier times it was Baker's caries a common one Occupational disease, that I Flour and sugar dust deposited on the tooth surfaces during work, but also tasted a lot of sweet things had to become. today this disease occurs because of the better working conditions only rarely on.

A tooth decay to heal by changing your diet, is only possible with the onset of caries (Initial caries, compare above). When tooth decay is beginning no hole yet originated in the classic sense, the surface of the tooth is merely decalcified and porous (Demineralization). One leads this surface Fluoride to, it comes to Remineralization and the Caries is stoppedwho have favourited tooth decay heals out.

This supply of fluorides can through concentrated gels, toothpaste, but also through the nutrition respectively. Especially in salt there is usually fluoride present. In young children you should pay particular attention to the fact that you only systemic fluoride intake chooses it can otherwise white spots on the teeth arise (Fluorosis).

Is a hole in the tooth is no longer sufficient, usually becomes a Tooth filling placed. A Refraining from “sweets” helps also to prevent tooth decay, because where there is no substrate for the Caries bacteria is present, they cannot produce harmful acids. This applies to those who don't eat sweets (this also includes Fructose, contained in Fruit / juices and dried fruit) can do without, should rather have a sugar orgy once a day, than many smaller ones to have sweet snacks between meals, this also applies to children. The also promotes caries Consumption of low molecular weight carbohydrates (Single or double sugar).

If you spread over the day Tooth-friendly snacks between meals want to take in are Dairy products advisable. Meanwhile, too Sweets in the market that as tooth-friendly with a Tooth males marked with an umbrella become. That is just as harmless Sweetener sorbitol and particularly Xylitol. But Attention: A excessive consumption (> 50g / day) can too diarrhea to lead!

Besides the proper nutrition should also Oral hygiene, especially the Interstitial cleaning, be optimized. One is also important avoid permanent malnutrition or malnutrition, this includes some radical diet forms. Lack of important minerals, can the Saliva composition disturbed and this in turn promotes the development of caries.

Can you support your teeth with xylitol?

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol. It arises within the carbohydrate metabolism. This intermediate product therefore does not belong to the “sugars” itself, but to the group of alcohols. Therefore also the chemical name Xylitol.

Compared to table sugar, it has a lower energy content, 2.4 kcal per gram, but is therefore also less sweet. It is often used in diabetic meals or in sugar-free foods that are still supposed to taste sweet. For example in some tooth chewing gum. Xylitol has the property that it can be removed from caries bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans cannot be converted to acid. The tooth is therefore not demineralized.

It also has a bacteriostatic effect. It inhibits the growth of further bacteria and the progressive development of caries. If you eat chewing gum containing xylitol after a meal, it has a pH value that is closer to neutral than acidic (more precisely, a pH value of 5.6 after just 30 minutes). Without xylitol, the saliva alone would not be able to keep the pH value so close to the neutral environment.

To prevent tooth decay, it should also help to take xylitol regularly.Studies recommend 5-7g of xylitol per day. More than 50-70 grams leads to diarrhea.

Fasting cures tooth decay

Caries can only be cured by fasting under certain conditions. An incipient tooth decay (Initial caries) can be stopped in combination with the “fasting of sweets” and a sufficient supply of fluoride and oral hygiene. Avoiding fructose and cola drinks is also gentle on the teeth. The consumption of dairy products also helps to stabilize the pH value in the mouth.

However, if a hole has already been made, the only way to remove the caries is by filling. One should also be careful with malnutrition. A lack of minerals, especially in saliva, can encourage tooth decay. Long-term malnutrition can also have negative consequences for the immune system. Bleeding gums and periodontitis are favored. If there is a lack of vitamins, there is a risk of scurvy and collagen can no longer be formed properly. In the past, this was often the case with seafarers who returned after months of sea voyage with a gap in the bite.

Can tooth decay also heal by itself, without a dentist?

Tooth decay can inactivate itself when the bacteria stop working and cannot further destroy the tooth.

If this is a small superficial tooth decay, it can be left under observation. If the lesion is larger, the tooth is porous and may be perforated. No endogenous substance is able to reverse this. During life, dentine can still be reproduced (one then speaks of irritant dentine or tertiary dentine), which is formed in response to a lesion or destruction, i.e. to a stimulus.

However, tooth enamel cannot be reproduced. So what has already been destroyed, like the skin, cannot heal on its own. In order to replace missing tooth structure, the dentist has to fill the hole.

Home remedies for tooth decay

The best remedy for tooth decay is to always keep the oral environment neutral. This is possible by giving the caries bacteria no chance to produce acid. This means: with a sugar-free diet, the bacteria have no food to produce acid.

The acid leads to a weakening of the tooth structure. This makes it even easier for the bacteria to attack. As a result, acidic foods should also be avoided to prevent direct damage to the enamel. It is usually not possible to completely dispense with the above-mentioned dishes. However, a balanced diet helps. A simple tip would be to use water during the day instead of e.g. Drinking apple spritzer.

Caries is influenced by the time factor. If the teeth are constantly demineralized again by sugar and acid, there is no possibility of remineralization. After eating, it is beneficial to help the saliva reach a neutral environment. For example with products such as milk, water or special chewing gum, which tend to have a neutral pH value.

It is also important to keep small children away from sugar for as long as possible. In addition, as an adult, you have to be careful not to put children's spoons or pacifiers into your mouth, for example, as you will otherwise infect them with caries bacteria.

An initial tooth decay can be contained by treating the areas specifically with fluoride. Regular fluoridation in the form of toothpaste is recommended for adolescents. In adults, local fluoridation is recommended in individual cases to strengthen the tooth enamel there.

Learn more about this under: Fluoridation of teeth

homeopathy

So far there are no studies that prove that pure homeopathy helps with existing tooth decay. Nevertheless, in addition to caries treatment at the dentist, you can take Golbuli.

Staphisagria D12 to help with tooth decay and already destroyed, black and broken teeth. As described above, however, the tooth will not regenerate from it. In addition, a destroyed tooth is more susceptible to caries bacteria than a healthy tooth and should therefore be treated conventionally by the dentist.

A good application idea is to take Golbuli as an additional measure to prevent tooth decay. Either Calcium Phosphoricum D12 and Calcium Carbonicum D12 are intended to strengthen the immune system in children so that it can react to caries bacteria at an early stage. Calcium fluoratum D12, a Schüssler salt, has the property of strengthening teeth and making them more resistant to tooth decay.

Calcium, phosphate and fluorine (the three components of the above agents) are responsible for the remineralization of the tooth enamel and are also contained in almost all toothpastes.