How To Remove Tooth Decay Yourself at Home—Here’s What You Can and Can’t Do

A Brief on Tooth Infection

Humans have been dealing with tooth infections for ages. At times when awareness of oral hygiene was limited, tooth decay was indeed the leading cause of death. Thanks to the advancements in dentistry and people's perspective towards dental hygiene. Tooth infections are rarely serious and life-threatening nowadays. The human mouth harbors over 200 bacterial species, a few of which are beneficial, while a few are harmful.^[1]  The inability to adhere to oral hygiene creates an imbalance in favorable and harmful bacteria. The oral bacteria form communities, consuming the trapped food particles. The acids formed as a result of bacterial action attack the tooth’s hardest portion, called enamel, demineralizing its components. This exposes the sensitive dentin layer, creating a way for the bacteria to enter the sensitive tooth portions, finally infecting the tooth pulp and causing dental cavities, also called tooth decay. 

Dental plaques form when the food we eat and saliva form a thin, sticky, colorless film. They usually occur along the gum line in hard-to-reach areas like the grooves of the molars and premolars. Bacteria settle along the plaques, multiplying their colonies and progressing the cavity formation. Usually, the bacterial plaques are removable by simple actions like brushing or flossing. However, in conditions of compromised oral hygiene, they harden, forming mineralized structures called tartar. 

What Are the 4 Causes of Tooth Decay?

Bad oral hygiene, sugar and carbohydrate-rich diet, plaque build-up, and susceptible tooth structures like crevices and crooks are the four primary causes of tooth decay. 

Symptoms of Dental Cavities

Dental caries or cavities cause throbbing pain deep inside the tooth structure, which can sometimes radiate to the jaw and other facial structures. This is often associated with extreme sensitivity to hot or cold foods. Other symptoms include swelling, inflammation, a loosened tooth within the pocket, and a tiny pus-filled abscess along the gum line near the infected tooth. 

How To Get Rid of Cavity Without Going to a Dentist?

Home remedies cannot remove cavities, and addressing tooth decay requires dentist interference. However, a few home remedies can induce remineralization and reverts the early stages of tooth decay. While the internet boasts numerous natural remedies seeking attention, it is worth noting that a few effective home remedies prevent infection spread, lightening the impact.

How To Stop Tooth Decay From Spreading Home Remedies?

Home remedies stop tooth decay from progressing and reaching the tooth interior. Further, maintaining proper oral hygiene reduces the chances of infection spreading to adjacent teeth or nearby oral parts. Tooth decay is a gradual process that follows various stages. Initially, it begins with plaque formation, advancing as tartars, and then demineralization, followed by dentin and pulp decay, and more serious stages like dental abscess. We discussed stage-wise tooth decay along with the appropriate natural methods to deal with it. 

How To Remove Tooth Plaque Yourself?

Sticky, thin, colorless films of food, saliva, and bacteria form on the tooth surface, especially along the gumline. Plaques are hot spots, serving as ideal environments for oral bacteria to grow. Plaque removal at home is possible by adopting simple oral hygiene measures.

Home tips for dealing with plaques:

• Brushing your teeth regularly twice a day removes plaque and slows down bacterial progression. Use circular, gentle motions and ensure you reach all areas of the mouth, including the back teeth and the gumline. 
• Flossing after meals removes the trapped food particles, lessening the chances of plaque formation.
• Gargling antimicrobial mouthwash and rinsing the oral cavity kills bad bacteria, reducing its prevalence. 
• Chewing sugar-free gums stimulates saliva production, neutralizing the acid components produced by the bacterial action. 

Tartar Build-up How To Remove Tooth Decay Yourself?

Bacterial plaques that are not removed over time with proper brushing or flossing harden and calcify. Tartar can form between or on the teeth, and the acids produced can dissolve the enamel, speeding up cavity formation. Further tartar formation creates a rough surface over the teeth, creating an optimal environment for the bacteria to flourish. Tartar appears as visible discolored patches along the gumline and surfaces between the teeth. It's worth noting that tartars are hardened plaques and are tough to remove at home. A professional dental cleaning can help with tartar removal. Dentists perform scaling and rooting procedures to remove tartar, and trying out metal tools or dental picks at home is strictly not recommended. Here are a few home remedies that can work for less severe tartars.

Home remedies to remove tartar:

• Rubbing orange peel helps remove tartar. The vitamin C and antimicrobial components act against bacterial growth.
• Scrubbing baking soda can effectively remove tartar, as it behaves like a mild abrasive, neutralizing the acid components released by the bacteria. While this shaves off the bacterial plaques, it also creates a less comfortable environment for bacterial growth. 

Early Stage How To Remove Tooth Decay Yourself?

The early stages of tooth decay manifest in the formation of white spots. Enamel is the hardest part of tooth structure. The acids produced by bacterial action tend to attack the enamel, causing significant mineral loss. Strengthening the enamel can effectively reverse cavities and prevent infection spread, during these early stages of decay.

At-home measures for early stages of tooth decay:

• Flouride is a natural remineralization agent of tooth enamel. Calcium and phosphate, along with fluoride, effectively strengthen the enamel, reinforcing its composition and resistance to acid attack. While many fluoridated products are available in the market, fluoridated toothpastes are the most common and effectively used.^[2] Further, most fluoride that people consume is the ionic form of fluorine and is readily available in drinking water.^[3] 
• Choose supplements or rely on a diet rich in vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium and phosphate absorption, improving tooth mineralization and strengthening enamel to fight cavities.^[4]

Middle Stages of Tooth Decay: How To Remove It?

Enamel demineralization advances to enamel decay, which shows up as small brown holes. Cavities expose the sensitive dentin layer, which contains nerve endings that launch sensitivity issues in response to hot or cold foods. Dealing with tooth decay at this stage requires dentist intervention. Depending on the extent of damage, they recommend fillings or crowns. They disinfect and clean the cavities and seal them using dental fillings. Fillings made from resin, ceramic, or dental amalgam are tooth-colored and look natural. Dental crowns are for severe cavities where a portion of the tooth structure is lost. These customized tooth caps cover the broken or cracked tooth, restoring its function. Note that both fillings or crowns cannot be fixed at home, and you must visit your dentist for this.  

Home remedies to deal with symptoms of tooth decay:

Note that at-home tips at this stage can only deal with the symptoms of tooth decay. They do not elicit any immune response against the causative agent.   

• A cotton swab dipped in a few drops of clove oil placed around the infected tooth portion can offer relief from pain. Clove oil acts as a natural pain reliever and offers temporary relief. Further, the anti-inflammatory properties of eugenol reduce inflammation, easing off the discomfort caused by the symptoms.
• For temporary relief from pain, dissolve a teaspoon full of common salt in warm water to rinse your oral cavity. Avoid too much hot water, as it can provoke sensitivity problems. 
• Chew a fresh slice of ginger for temporary relief from pain and to fight plaque build-up. Ginger juice's anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties offer relief from soreness and inflamed gums.  
• Crush a garlic clove to apply its paste on the infected tooth portion. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of some active components in garlic fight inflammation and soothe tooth infection symptoms.       

Severe Stages of Tooth Decay: How To Remove It?

When left untreated, cavities progress to pulp damage, further worsening the symptoms. Candidates experience tooth swelling, inflammation, and pain deep inside the tooth with simple bite force. The progressing bacteria cause pulp inflammation, leading to swelling that poses pressure on the external tooth structure, which is often felt as throbbing pain. When still left unattended, the infection spreads to surrounding facial structures and gums. Pus-filled dental abscesses are common at this stage.  At this stage of tooth decay, dentists recommend root canal procedures combined with antibiotic doses. Depending on the severity, they either fill the RCT-treated cavity with a filling or crown.   

At-home tips to deal with symptoms of tooth decay

Home remedies during the severe stages of tooth decay can only ease the symptoms by providing temporary relief. See your dentist immediately, as the progressing infection can spread to other body parts like the brain or heart, leading to life-threatening complications.   

• A cold compress on the cheek side of the infected tooth offers temporary relief from pain. 
• A cotton swab soaked in oregano or thyme oil placed near the infected tooth can soothe the symptoms of tooth abscess. Ensure that you dilute these essential oils using carrier oil to avoid further gum irritation. 
• Rinsing the oral cavity with saltwater or anti-bacterial mouthwash can slow down the bacterial progression and prevent its spread to nearby tissues.   

How To Avoid Tooth Decay?

Although tooth decay is not life-threatening in most cases, it can be serious. Besides the inconvenience and discomfort that cavities cause, the infection-causing bacteria may spread to the brain, eyes, or heart. While the bacteria can diffuse through tissue fluids and spread to adjacent tissues, in rare cases, it may enter the veins and follow a systemic spread. Dentists recommend effective preventive measures rather than adopting home remedies or ending up in a situation that necessitates dentist intervention. We listed them below.

• Prioritize oral hygiene by including brushing and flossing as part of daily routine. 
• Use anti-bacterial mouthwash and fluoridated toothpaste. 
• Limit sugar intake and cut down the habit of intermittent snacking.
• Avoid carbonated and sugary drinks and beverages that harm the tooth enamel.
• Choose a nutritious diet rich in vitamin D, calcium, and phosphate.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Adequate saliva cleanses your oral cavity.
• Attend regular dental check-ups and professional cleaning sessions. 
• Choose dental sealants for back teeth that are prone to trap food particles and bacteria.  ^[5]

In addition to following these preventive measures, monitor symptoms of tooth infection. Don’t hesitate to see your dentist if you notice persistent pain, swelling, sensitivity, or a bad taste in your oral cavity. 

A qualified and certified dental professional will examine your teeth and assess your condition. They will conduct a physical examination and a few dental X-rays to determine the severity of the infection and tooth damage. Dentists perform fillings and root canal therapy, followed by crown or tooth extraction, depending on their findings. You will have to adhere to strict aftercare measures in order to prevent the re-infection of root canal-treated teeth. 

What Happens if You Don’t Remove a Rotten Tooth?

An unattended rotten tooth with a cavity can become serious, causing immense pain and discomfort. While this can disturb the quality of life, the growing infection may spread to other parts, leading to complications and systemic health issues. While tooth decay can significantly affect the quality of life, in rare cases, the infection may enter the bloodstream, causing sepsis and organ failure. A tooth infection spreading to the brain may cause neck stiffness, fever, chills, vision changes, and neurological problems like numbness and difficulty in speaking. Although rare, the bacteria can infect the heart valves, causing inflammation and endocarditis, a life-threatening condition. In some candidates, the bacteria from tooth abscesses may diffuse to the lungs, leading to serious respiratory issues. Ludwig's angina is the other serious problem that may potentially cause death due to obstructed airways. Although rare, Ludwig's angina occurs in candidates with untreated cavities in the lower molars. The infection extends to the floor of the mouth, finally blocking the airways and causing death. While dentists recommend procedures like RCT for mild and moderate decays, tooth extraction is commonly performed for severe decays. 

Is It Hard To Remove a Rotten Tooth?

Decayed teeth are brittle and are more likely to break due to the weakened structure, making it difficult to remove them. A few infected teeth may fracture under the gum line, making it harder for simple extraction. Adding to this, surgical extraction becomes even more difficult when the infection is present, as it complicates the healing process. This procedure typically requires making incisions along the gumline to reach the affected tooth. In most cases, dentists may adopt sectioning as part of the removal of tooth portions rather than removing the entire tooth as an entity.

Regular dental care protects your teeth and maintains a healthy, confident smile. Don’t wait until problems arise—schedule your professional dental cleaning and take a proactive step toward long-term oral health. Sign up with Envoy Health now to book your appointment with the finest dental professionals. Take the first step toward a healthy mouth and a happier you! 

References 

1. A Practical Guide To The Oral Microbiome And Its Relation To Health And Disease
2. Effectiveness Of Fluoride-Containing Toothpastes Associated With Different Technologies To Remineralize Enamel After Ph Cycling: An In Vitro Study
3. Fluoridefact Sheet For Health Professionals
4. Vitamin D Deficiency And Oral Health: A Comprehensive Review
5. The Tooth Decay Process: How To Reverse It And Avoid A Cavity
6. The Role Of Fluoride On Caries Prevention