Your teeth could be the centre of attention and a crowd-puller. But painful cavities ruin the show, literally. Cavities are the worst thing to happen in tooth-related problems. So much so that eating or drinking can become hell for you.
Page Contents
What is Cavities?
Decay or softening of the tooth enamel happens with time. The end result? CAVITY. Our precious teeth are covered with enamel which is a hard, protective top layer. The sad part is that the enamel gets tarnished by acids produced by bacteria. This creates a pit or cavity in or on the tooth surface.
Causes
Symptoms
How to identify?
Depending on the extent, the cavity symptoms can vary. As the decay gets larger, then the following symptoms can crop up:
Home Remedies for Cavities
1. Clove
What all you need: Clove oil
Directions:
How it works: Apply clove oil 2-3 times a day to get relief from the pain caused due to cavities and tooth decay. Clove oil has “eugenol”, a key essential oil which is responsible for this analgesic action.
Tip: If the cavity is hard to reach, use a cotton swab, dip it in clove oil and then apply.
2. Garlic
What all you need: One Garlic Clove
Directions:
How it works: Yeah, chewing garlic sounds repulsive on its own. But its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties prove its worth by bringing relief from cavity pain.
3. Indian Lilac (Neem)
What all you need: Neem leaves (a bunch)
Directions:
How it works: Indian Lilac (Neem) is noted for its anti-bacterial properties which easily destroys cavity-causing bacteria. Thereby, maintaining healthy and strong teeth and gums.
Tip: Heard of “neem sticks” which our grandparents used for dental hygiene? You can use them too for brushing your teeth.
4. Oil Pulling with Sesame Oil
What all you need: 1 tbsp sesame oil
Directions:
How it works: This age-old practice of “Oil Pulling” helps in reducing the scope of cavities. It also stops bleeding gums and bad breath.
Tip: You can do this remedy with sunflower or coconut oil too.
5. Licorice
What all you need: Licorice root (in dried form)
Directions:
How it works: Licorice root has oral bacteria-fighting antibacterial properties.
Tip: You can also use licorice root every day as a toothbrush. Sounds innovative, right?
6. Wheatgrass
What all you need: Wheatgrass juice
Directions:
How it works: The juice of wheatgrass not only kills the bacteria in the mouth, it also helps reduce the pain which happens with tooth decay.
7. Salt
What all you need: 1 tsp table salt or Epsom salt, and a glass of warm water
Directions:
How it works: Salt water is the most common home remedy when it comes to tackling tooth-related pain.
Tip: Gargle with salt water two times a day for best results.
8. Turmeric
What all you need: Turmeric powder
Directions:
How it works: Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and anti-cancerous. So, you can well imagine its effect on cavities.
Tip: The optional way of using turmeric: Mix 1/2 tsp turmeric powder with few drops of mustard oil. Massage this paste on your affected teeth and gums. Let it stay on for 10 minutes, then spit it out. Follow any of these two remedies once or twice a day for few days to get results.
9. Indian Gooseberry
What all you need: Indian Gooseberry (also called ‘Amla’)
Directions:
How it works: Amla is a time-tested remedy and recipe in reducing cavities. BTW, it also cleans the mouth and helps you to say goodbye to bad breath.
Tip: In case fresh amla (or its powdered form) is not available, you can consider taking a capsule (after consulting your doctor).
An amla a day is good for hair and digestion too.
10. Lemon
What all you need: One lemon (small to mid-sized)
Directions:
How it works: The acids in lemon juice kill the bacteria and germs, thereby help ease out the cavity pain.
11. Nutmeg
What all you need: Nutmeg, Clove oil or Oregano oil
Directions:
How it works: Nutmeg extract has anti-carcinogenic properties which help prevent cavities and tooth decay.
Tip: The other way of going about it is that you can directly apply nutmeg oil on your teeth using cotton swabs.
12. Onion
What all you need: Slice of onion
Directions:
How it works: Onion, when consumed regularly, reduces the problem of tooth cavities.
13. Cheese
What all you need: Raw Cheese
Directions:
How it works: It neutralizes the plaque acid in the mouth which in turn prevents tooth decay.
14. Mustard Oil
What all you need: Mustard Oil, Lemon juice
Directions:
How it works: Mustard oil is an antiseptic remedy which helps in healing tooth pain, and reducing cavity spread.
Tip: Do the mustard oil technique 10 to 15 times before brushing the teeth (with normal toothpaste)
15. Herbal Tea
What all you need: A cup of green tea
Directions:
How it works: Green tea is not just for weight loss, but also for dental care. It controls bacteria and lowers your saliva’s acidity and dental plaque, and is a useful tool in preventing cavities.
16. Activated Charcoal
What all you need: Activated charcoal (in powder form or a charcoal capsule), Toothbrush
Directions:
How it works: Activated charcoal is not only used for whitening of teeth, but also getting rid of toxins from your mouth to heal cavities.
Tip: In the beginning, use of charcoal powder might look black on the teeth, but this is temporary. Worry not, it will not stain your teeth, but whiten it in addition to pulling out the toxins from your mouth.
17. Aloe Vera
What all you need: 1/4 cup juice of aloe vera
Directions:
How it works: Aloe Vera has “anthraquinones” which control the tooth decay-causing bacteria.
Tip: Not feeling comfy swishing your mouth with aloe vera gel? Then, use aloe vera gel as a toothpaste.
18. Warm Water
What all you need: Warm water, pinch of salt
Directions:
Tip: You can also use warm water while brushing your teeth. This remedy helps reduce tooth pain from cavities.
19. Mint Leaves
What all you need: 6 to 8 mint leaves, 2 cups water
Directions:
How it works: Treat your cavities with this peppy recipe of mint leaves.
Tip: The other option is you can drink tea prepared with mint leaves to fight cavities.
20. Margosa Leaves
What all you need: Neem twig
Directions:
How it works: Chewing neem twig (or neem datum) makes your teeth and gums stronger, thanks to the powerful plant oils which are released in the mouth.
Tip: Munch on margosa leaves daily to keep your mouth fresh and teeth clean.
21. Cranberry Juice
What all you need: Cranberry Juice
Directions:
How it works: Drinking of cranberry juice (regularly) helps improve oral hygiene. It also helps in fighting cavities.
Tip: Add 100% apple juice if you feel like cutting the bitter taste of cranberry juice.
22. Coconut Oil
What all you need: 2 tsp Coconut oil, 1-2 drops clove oil (optional), 1-2 drops tea tree oil (optional)
Directions:
How it works: Oil Pulling done via coconut oil and optional oils not only heals cavities, it can also cure gingivitis and systemic diseases like diabetes! Coconut oil has tremendous anti-bacterial properties.
Tip: Apart from doing oil pulling, you can also consume coconut oil.
23. Tea Tree Oil
What all you need: Tea tree oil (few drops) and warm water
Directions:
How it works: Tea tree oil helps in keeping the mouth healthy, strong gums, and teeth decay-free.
Tip: Repeat this remedy twice a day.
24. Oregano Oil
What all you need: 1 tsp oregano oil, 1 tbsp water, pinch of salt, and a toothbrush
Directions:
How it works: Oregano Oil is a good remedy for treating cavities as it kills the bacteria that cause tooth decay and plaque.
Tip: Brush your teeth once a day (minimum) with this mixture to keep them healthy.
25. Eucalyptus Oil
What all you need: 1-2 drops of Eucalyptus Oil, toothpaste and toothbrush
Directions:
How it works: Eucalyptus Oil slows down the growth of oral bacteria responsible for causing tooth decay and cavities.
26. Baking Soda
What all you need: Baking soda and toothbrush
Directions:
How it works: Owing to its alkalinity, baking soda neutralizes the excess of acids in the mouth which cause tooth decay and cavities.
Tip: Do the baking soda remedy after every alternate day for the first few days.
27. Bentonite Clay
What all you need: 1 1/2 tablespoons bentonite clay, 1 tbsp virgin coconut oil, and few drops of essential oil (it could be tea tree, peppermint, rosemary, or clove)
Directions:
How it works: Bentonite Clay absorbs all the impurities, which is what it does when used as a toothpaste. It removes the sticky deposits (and bacteria) from the infected tooth.
28. Fluoride Mouthwash
What all you need: Fluoride mouthwash
Directions:
How it works: Fluoride mouthwash is not just good for the teeth, it helps to remineralize them. Overall, it is an effective home remedy for tooth decay and cavities.
Tip: Do fluoride mouthwash every morning and before going to bed.
29. Mixture Of Calcium And Magnesium Powders
What all you need: Calcium and Magnesium tablets, and a toothbrush
Directions:
How it works: Both the minerals – calcium and magnesium help in remineralizing your teeth. Second thing is that they keep your mouth “alkaline”, preventing the acid attack from the cavity from ending up affecting your teeth.
Tip: Repeat this remedy once a day to get best results.
30. Butter Oil And Cod Liver Oil
What all you need: Supplements of Cod liver oil and Butter oil
Directions: All you need to do is take a capsule of each (meaning butter oil and cod liver oil) after any meal during the day.
How it works:
Tip: To maintain optimum dental health, take these supplements daily.
31. Bone Broth
What all you need: Animal Bones (those of poultry, lamb, beef, and/or bison), Salt, Black pepper powder
Directions:
How it works: Being a rich source of calcium and magnesium, the bone broth helps to remove cavities and fight tooth decay.
Tip: Know something – you can even store the broth in the freezer for a few days and use it in other meal preparations.
32. Vegetable Oil
What all you need: A small cup, vegetable oil
Directions:
How it works: Ever heard of “oil pulling”? You have just read about this technique. Well, vegetable oil is a good remedy in removing tooth infection and relieving pain.
Tip: Even coconut oil or olive oil can be used in place of vegetable oil.
33. Alcohol Compress
What all you need: Gin, vodka, whiskey and washcloth
Directions:
How it works: The alcoholic content will relieve the pain. Plus, also kill the bacteria causing the tooth decay.
Tip: The alcoholic mixture may sting the first time. But the sensation subsides after a while.
34. Vanilla Essence
What all you need: Vanilla Essence (or its extract), cotton swab
Directions:
How it works: Vanilla essence is antiseptic in nature. So it is a remedy that works against cavities, mainly toothache.
Tip: Repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times.
35. Vanilla And Almond Extracts
What all you need: Few drops of vanilla and almond extract
Directions:
How it works: Those who practice alternative medicine recommend using vanilla and almond extract for healing of tooth decay.
Tip: Repeat the application of vanilla and almond extract on your cavities twice or thrice daily.
36. Black Walnut Tincture
What all you need: 4 to 5 drops of Black Walnut Tincture, 1/4 to 1/2 cup Water
Directions:
How it works: Black walnut tincture is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic. So it kills the micro-organisms in the mouth efficiently.
37. Eggshells
What all you need: 1/4 cup ground eggshells, 2 to 3 tbsp coconut oil, 1 tbsp baking soda
Directions:
How it works: Eggshells are made of calcium carbonate, which play the role of an abrasive, removing tooth decay. Eggshells also remineralize the tooth enamel and the dentine of the damaged tooth.
38. Hydrogen Peroxide
What all you need: 1 oz. 3% hydrogen peroxide, water
Directions:
How it works: Hydrogen Peroxide is an anti-microbial agent which kills the bacteria in mouth and treats the cavity.
Tip: Never keep the hydrogen peroxide in your mouth for longer time as it can irritate the skin of your mouth. Also give a short-term gap of few months before repeating its usage.
39. Proper Oral Care
Directions:
Are there any other precautions that can be taken to prevent cavities?
Read below:
Diet
Recipe of Homemade Remineralizing Tooth Paste:
What all you need: 2 tbsp baking soda, 4 tbsp coconut oil, 15-20 drops of essential oil (either peppermint or clove), 1 tbsp xylitol (or 1/8 tsp stevia), 15-20 drops of calcium powder or magnesium.
Directions:
How it works: This toothpaste is made with homemade ingredients so it works out to be a good remedy for tooth decay.
Prevention Tips
Here are some:
When to Seek Medical Attention?
It is always advisable to take steps to avoid facing earlier stages of tooth decay. The sooner you plan out your dental visit, the better it is.
After Care Tips
Do you have a question? Comment below.
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