Can cavities be reversed?

Can cavities be reversed?

The answer depends on the stage. NIDCR describes early decay as mineral loss from the enamel that can show as a white spot, and says that before a cavity forms, enamel can repair itself using minerals from saliva and fluoride from toothpaste, and that a dentist can also apply fluoride to reverse early decay. Cleveland Clinic says very early enamel decay may be reversible with fluoride treatment and better oral hygiene, but that once decay reaches the dentin a filling, crown or other restoration is needed. The NHS lists fluoride treatments, such as mouthwash or varnish, which a dentist can prescribe, as the treatment for early decay.

How to reverse cavities

For very early decay, the sources describe the same steps, and a dentist should confirm the stage.

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, and use a fluoride rinse if advised.
• Have fluoride varnish or prescription fluoride products applied or prescribed by a dentist.
• Clean between teeth daily and limit sugary and starchy foods and snacking.
• Drink fluoridated water where available, and ask about sealants.
• Return for checkups so the area can be monitored.

How to treat a cavity at home

You cannot treat a cavity that has a hole at home. NHS says a hole in the tooth is usually treated with a filling, and that decay reaching the pulp may need root canal treatment, with extraction for a severely damaged tooth. ADA MouthHealthy's cavity page lists prevention, not home treatment. The ADA says there are no reliable scientific studies showing that oil pulling reduces cavities. Home care can slow or prevent decay, but it does not rebuild a lost part of the tooth.

Cavities in front teeth

The sources we read do not give separate advice for front teeth. The same stages and treatments apply: fluoride for early white spots, and a filling once there is a hole. Healthline's cavity signs page notes that cavity stains can be white, brown or black and usually sit on the surface of the tooth, and a hole or pit is a clear sign of decay. A dentist can tell decay from stain, as our guide on what cavities look like explains.

Treating cavities in toddlers naturally

The sources we read do not cover decay in toddlers or natural methods for it, so we cannot recommend any. Take a child with a white, brown or dark spot or a toothache to a dentist, and follow the dentist's advice on fluoride and brushing. Cleveland Clinic and NIDCR advise fluoride toothpaste and sealants as part of prevention, but dosing for children is a question for a dentist.

What happens if a cavity is not treated

Cleveland Clinic lists five stages from demineralization to abscess, and says untreated decay can lead to tooth loss, a painful abscess and infection that can spread. It says treatment is by stage: fluoride for the earliest, fillings for a hole, root canal for advanced decay with pain, and extraction if a tooth cannot be saved.

Prevention

NIDCR and ADA MouthHealthy advise brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth daily, limiting sugary and starchy foods and snacking, drinking fluoridated tap water, avoiding tobacco and seeing a dentist regularly. Early decay is found at checkups, often before it hurts.

Questions to ask your dentist

If a dentist says you have early decay, these questions help you act on it.

• Is this a white spot that can still be reversed, or a cavity that needs a filling?
• Which fluoride products should I use, and for how long?
• When should I come back so you can check whether it has changed?
• What should I change in my diet and cleaning habits?
• What happens if I wait?

Frequently asked questions