In the U.S., tooth decay is the most common chronic health condition among both children and adults. There are a lot of tools at your dentist’s disposal to help you address this condition, but you may also wonder what you can do to prevent tooth decay on your own.
Dental hygiene is obviously important, but there are also some holistic methods you can use to stave off cavities. Here are a few examples.
Holistic Solutions to Tooth Decay
There are several foods that studies show could have some real benefits to your oral health if you incorporate them into your diet. For example:
- Green Tea: Green tea has been demonstrated to have a wide variety of health effects, and one of them appears to be staving off cavities. One 2003 study conducted on hamsters found that green tea reduced their chances of developing cavities. Another study conducted on Japanese adults found that those who frequently drank green tea had fewer cavities than those who did not.
- Cranberries: While cranberries don’t directly kill bacteria that contribute to tooth decay, they can break down the structures that allow them to form plaque deposits, which can hinder their growth.
- Shiitake Mushrooms: One study conducted on rats found that those who ate shiitake mushrooms were less likely to develop cavities, which leads some to believe that they could have a similar effect in humans.
How to Deal with Tooth Decay
While these holistic remedies show promise, it’s important to see your dentist if you think that you actually have a cavity. They’ll be able to quickly clean and fill your teeth, which stops the decay from progressing further.
It’s also important to note that none of these holistic solutions are substitutes for consistent dental hygiene. Brush your teeth well twice a day, floss daily, and use mouthwash to reduce the chances of bacteria developing.
About the Author
Dr. James Nelson is a dentist who loves nothing more than working closely with his patients to give them beautiful, healthy smiles that they can be happy to share with their loved ones. He’s been working as a dentist since 2013, and he has no intention of stopping anytime soon. Dr. Nelson received his degree from the LSU School of Dentistry in New Orleans. He has since completed the Heartland Aesthetic Continuum and has studied at the Spear Institute.
If you have any questions about how you can protect yourself from tooth decay, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (504) 887-3311.