Is There a Natural Remedy for Cavities?
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month (although we should worry about dental health all year long) and I wanted to focus on cavities and how you can prevent and even reverse them.
Yes, I said reverse them.
Why is Dental Health So Important?
Did you realize that your teeth offer a window into your overall health? It’s true, your dentist is able to look at your teeth and know more about your health than you realize. Yikes, that may scare some of you.
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The bacteria in your mouth (don’t worry, it’s not all bad) is kept under control by brushing and flossing. And if you fail to keep up with both, it can lead to oral infections like tooth decay and then gum disease. This is especially important because research has linked gum (or periodontal) disease to things like heart complications, strokes, diabetes, and respiratory issues.
According to a 2014 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, patients who were treated for gum disease have lower medical costs and fewer hospitalizations for coronary artery disease.
Foods that Can Help Gum Disease/Dental Health
So besides your typical oral care, how can you prevent or even reverse gum disease? Well it may come as no surprise to find out that your diet plays a huge role.
So the American Dental Association (ADA) says this in regard to tooth decay:
Tooth decay happens when plaque come into contact with sugar in the mouth, causing acid to attack the teeth.
And while I agree that sugar is a problem, I believe it’s more about your overall nutrition. Processed foods contains lots of chemicals and when you eat them instead of real food, you’re depriving your body of essential vitamins and minerals. When your body lacks the vitamins and minerals it needs, it pulls them from your teeth to compensate.
So what foods should you eat? Generally, foods high in fiber and healthy fats are better for your oral health, such as:
- Wild caught fish
- Fresh vegetables (even in a juice)
- Foods with fat soluble vitamins (such as coconut, bone broth, and grass-fed meat)
- Apples
- Berries
Dr. Price’s Findings on Tooth Decay and Diet
Dr. Weston Price was the chairman of the National Dental Association (1914–1923) and a pioneer for the ADA. Dr. Price traveled the world searching for a cause of tooth decay. Dr. Price found a common link between eating modern foods and cavities. He discovered many indigenous isolated tribes that had perfect teeth and little tooth decay. But once they were exposed to a Western diet, they experienced tooth decay, bone loss and chronic illness.
Is Fluoride Good For Your Teeth?
Another thing that I believe the ADA gets wrong is that they state that fluoride is helpful in preventing tooth decay. Fluoride is an inorganic chemical compound used in most toothpastes and drinking water. While this can be controversial, it is 100% true that many admit that fluoride can affect your health negatively and even be deadly in large doses. So my question is, why take that chance? Especially if you know that your drinking water contains fluoride because it’s impossible to know how much you’re getting.
Natural Treatments
Here are the main natural ways you can prevent and treat cavities:
- Floss
- Take supplements (Coenzyme Q10 and vitamin C)
- Oil Pulling
- Essential oils (cinnamon, myrrh, fennel, peppermint, clove & melaleuca)
As far as essential oils, the best way to use them is to either make a rinse (10 drops per 1 cup of water) or add 1 drop to your toothpaste. Or an easy-peasy way is to use this toothpaste, which already has essential oils in it. And no worries, it tastes awesome. My kids even love it.
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links.