How Long Does it Take to Reverse Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is a process that happens over time. But did you know that you can actually reverse this process sometimes to avoid a cavity?

This web page explains how the tooth decay process begins in your mouth and how it can be stopped or even reversed to keep your mouth healthy. 

Our mouths are a microbiome of microorganisms, mostly bacteria. Hundreds of different types of bacteria and organisms live on our teeth, gums, tongue, and other places in our mouths. Some bacteria are helpful, however, some can be harmful such as those that contribute to the tooth decay process. Tooth decay is the result of an infection when certain types of bacteria take over the mouth that use sugars in food to make acids. These acids start to eat away at the tooth's hard outer surface, or enamel. Over time, these acids can cause a cavity to form in the tooth. You may notice light white spots on a tooth or teeth.  This white spot or spots may appear where minerals have been lost. This is a sign of early decay.

The good news though is that tooth decay can be stopped or reversed at this point. Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva, and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. But if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals end up being lost lost and the enamel becomes more weakened or destroyed, forming a cavity. A cavity is permanent damage that it is best to have a dentist has to repair with a filling before it gets larger and requires more invasive measures. 

How Can I Reverse Tooth Decay? 

Use fluoride: Fluoride is a mineral that can prevent tooth decay from progressing further and it can even reverse or stop early tooth decay. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least two times each day is important for preventing cavities. Flossing also helps to whisk away food particles that bacteria love. 

Your diet is important in preventing a cavity. Every time we eat or drink something that contains sugar or starches, the bacteria in our mouth use the sugars and starches to produce acid. This acid begin to eat away at your enamel. 

Talk to a dentist about sealants: dental sealants are another way to help avoid a cavity. They are thin, plastic coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants are helpful because the surfaces of back teeth that we use to chew our food are rough and uneven because they have grooves. Food and bacteria often get stuck in these grooves and stay there a long time because most toothbrush bristles do not easily brush them away. Sealants cover these surfaces and form a barrier that protects teeth and prevents food and bacteria from getting trapped there.

So how long does it take to stop or reverse tooth decay? 

With persistent and consistent care brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, using a fluoride rinse and not eating sugary or starchy foods in between meals or after nightly brushing you can reverse tooth decay in 3 or 4 months. It is important to keep up this routine to avoid cavities and take good care of your teeth!

If you have any dental needs please schedule a consultation by calling us or going online to clovedds.com. We have amazing dentists that can take care of your dental issues. You can schedule online at clovedds.com or contact us at any of the convenient locations listed below 

We pride ourselves on having state-of-the-art equipment in our offices in Riverpark, Oxnard, A Street in Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, and Beverly Hills and offering you the best standard of care with our dream team practices in Ventura County and Los Angeles County. 

Our Locations and numbers are: 

Oxnard Riverpark: 1000 Town Center Dr, Suite 250, Oxnard, CA 93036 805-983-7674   

Central Oxnard: 140 North A Street, Oxnard CA 93030 805-483-9537     

Thousand Oaks: 509 Marin Street, Suite 220, Thousand Oaks CA 91360 805-374-8484

Camarillo: 2107 Pickwick Drive, Camarillo CA 93010 805-819-2043

Beverly Hills: 9001 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 303, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-304-6022

Ventura: 3555 Loma Vista Rd Suite 217, Ventura, CA 93003 805-643-4184