According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five adults has had at least one cavity at some point in their lives. Many people are choosing natural ways to fight tooth decay. Our cosmetic dentist in Jacksonville can help you enjoy a cavity-free smile.

Ways to Fight Dental Cavities Naturally

Fighting tooth decay may be easier than you think. Here are several ways to fight tooth decay naturally, along with a few tips.

Brush your teeth

Brushing your teeth removes the leftover food debris, bacteria, and plaque that cause tooth decay.

Pro tips:

• Never use a side-to-side motion with your toothbrush – instead, use gentle circles.
• Brush gently – brushing too hard can damage your teeth.
• Use a soft toothbrush.
• Brush twice daily, as plaque can form in just a few hours.
• Don’t brush after eating an acidic meal, such as drinking a soda or orange juice, as brushing rubs the acid into your tooth enamel; instead, rinse your mouth with water, then wait for at least 30 minutes before brushing.

Rinse after other meals

Swishing some mouthwash around your mouth rinses away plaque and food particles.

Pro tip: Avoid using mouthwash with alcohol, as it dries out your mouth to promote tooth decay; instead, use a water-based mouthwash or an all-natural rinse

Be picky about your oral mouthwash

Opt for a water-based mouth rinse or an all-natural mouthwash that contains healthy essential oils.

Pro tip: Look for mouthwashes or rinses that contain:

• Aloe
• Cinnamon essential oil
• Clove oil
• Coconut oil
• Peppermint oil
• Spearmint oil
• Tea tree oil
• Xylitol

Avoid mouthwashes and rinses that contain:

• Alcohol
• Parabens
• Formaldehyde
• Chlorhexidine
• Triclosan
• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
• PEG-40

Practice oil pulling

Coconut oil has natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help protect you from cavities.

Pro tip: The results of a 2016 study show that oil pulling with coconut pulling for 10 minutes a day can reduce the number of Streptococcus mutans, which is the bacteria mainly responsible for tooth decay.

Chew sugar-free gum

Chewing sugar-free gum triggers saliva production, rinses cavity-causing bacteria away from tooth enamel, and helps remove food particles between teeth.

Pro tip: Choose gum with xylitol, which sweetens gum without sugar.

Increase your vitamin D intake

Your body uses vitamin D to absorb and retain enamel-strengthening minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Pro tip: Increase your intake of foods rich in vitamin D, such as fatty fish and dairy products, before turning to supplements.

Snack on real licorice

Made from the roots of the licorice plant, real licorice reduces Streptococcus mutans bacteria.

Pro tip: Make sure the product contains glycyrrhizin, which is the substance that gives real licorice its sweetness.

Avoid sugar

Streptococcus mutans and other bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar you consume in food and beverages; as they feed, the bacteria secrete acids that can erode tooth enamel.

Pro tip: Stay vigilant about sugar, which is everywhere, from candy and soda to ketchup and fruit juices.

Avoid cavity-promoting foods

Some foods promote the formation of cavities; many contain sugar and other simple carbohydrates.

Pro tip: Avoid these foods:

• Cookies, white bread, cake, and cereals, which contain simple carbohydrates
• Sticky, sugary foods, such as pies, chewable sweets, and dried fruit
• Sugary beverages, including sports drinks, soda, and fruit juice
• Fried starchy foods, such as French fries and potato chips
• Citrus drinks, coffee, wine, and other acidic beverages
• Popcorn that gets stuck in your teeth
• Alcohol as it dries out your mouth and prevents saliva from rinsing your oral cavity

Enjoy these foods

• Dairy products rich in calcium or vitamin D
• Fatty fish, such as salmon
• Leafy green vegetables, including spinach
• Crunchy vegetables to remove food particles and plaque from teeth
• Nuts and seeds, which may contain calcium, along with healthy fats that protect teeth from bacteria
• Whole grains
• Eggs, which contain vitamin D, calcium, and other enamel-building nutrients
• Green tea, which contains antioxidants that can neutralize acid

Drink water after eating

Drinking water after eating sugary, sticky, or acidic meals can rinse away the harmful substances lingering on your tooth enamel.

Pro tip: For good overall health, drink at least 4 to 6 cups of water each day.

For more information on fighting tooth decay naturally and tips on a cavity-free smile, consult Smiles by Shields Dentistry. We offer mercury-free, mercury-safe, fluoride-free, integrative family dentistry in Jacksonville, FL.