7 Home Remedies to Treat Cavities in Baby’s Teeth Naturally

What’s the most common disease among children in the United States? You guessed it right; it’s dental caries. 

It’s a non-communicable disease, meaning various lifestyle factors and conditions like obesity and diabetes are involved. These small holes (cavities) in the teeth spoil your kid’s smile and confidence and make them prone to further dental health issues. 

If cavities are not treated timely, they can lead to gingivitis (gum infections) and tooth decay. Read on to learn more! 

Read: Expert Tips For Preventing Cavities And Healthy Teeth

Why Do Babies Get More Cavities Than Adults?

You might have noticed that children are more prone to getting cavities than others, but why does that happen? Here are the reasons: 

i- Bad Eating Habits 

Kids are picky and prefer to eat snacks, sweets & other things they enjoy eating. They don’t know much about what’s good for their bodies and make poor nutrition choices. 

According to research, one leading cause of tooth decay in U.S. children is excess added sugar, especially in sweetened beverages. Another study found that a low-sugar diet can help decrease dental decay in children. 

Also, children eat more frequently than adults and have higher chances of food clogging between teeth, ultimately leading to dental caries. 

ii- Poor Oral Hygiene 

Children are less attentive while brushing and flossing their teeth. Hence, food leftovers remain even after brushing due to poor oral hygiene. 

Bacteria present in food leftovers produce demineralizing acids, resulting in cavities. 

Schedule an appointment for your baby’s initial dental cleaning or explore a guide on effective flossing of your child’s teeth.

iii- Thin Enamel 

Babies have thin enamel (protective outer covering of teeth). Bacteria attack the enamel, which is already thin, so the decay rate is much faster than permanent teeth. 

Risk Factors for Getting Cavities 

One study found that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of getting cavities. Other risk factors include: 

• Poor oral hygiene 
• Bedtime infant feeding 
• High intake of sticky foods 
• Less saliva in the mouth than normal 
• High intake of sugar and sweetened beverages 

7 Ways to Get Rid of Cavities Naturally 

Tooth decay first affects the outer surface (enamel) but reaches the inner layer, or dentin, over time. 

You can treat cavities at home only if the decay has not reached dentin yet. But if dentin is also affected, your kid will need professional treatment. 

Here are some home remedies that can help to get rid of cavities. 

1- Vitamin & Minerals 

One of the main factors to prevent and get rid of cavities is taking care of your diet. Different minerals, including magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium, make up the structure of the teeth. 

Meanwhile, vitamin D is needed to absorb the phosphorus and calcium from the food. That’s why kids with vitamin D deficiency are prone to getting dental carries. 

Fatty fish, dairy products, and egg yolk are rich sources of vitamin D. Meanwhile, leafy vegetables, orange juice, and almonds contain calcium. Add these food groups to your kid’s diet to protect them from getting cavities. 

2- Oil Pulling 

Oil pulling is a technique used from ancient times to improve dental health. 

It involves swishing the oils (like sesame or coconut oil) in your mouth for 20 minutes. Afterwards, spit it out. One research found that oil pulling with coconut oil helps to improve oral hygiene. 

Also, it helps to get rid of plaque and resist bacterial growth. 

3- Sugar-Free Gum 

Chewing sugar-free gums after meals is another great way of resisting bacterial growth and reducing the chance of getting dental caries. 

One study found that sugar-free gum containing xylitol and CPP-ACP greatly reduces the level of a specific type of bacteria, which weakens the enamel and leads to tooth decay. 

4- Brushing with Flouride Toothpaste 

People with fluoride in their drinking water have a lower risk of dental caries than others. 

Fluoride promotes tooth remineralization and repairs the damage caused by harmful acids. So, brushing regularly with fluoride toothpaste is good for keeping your kid’s teeth safe from damage. 

5- Licorice Root 

Streptococcus mutans is the specific type of bacteria that leads to dental caries and tooth decay. 

Licorice root has anti-bacterial properties and targets S. mutans; ultimately, it helps to fight against cavities. 

6- Low Intake of Sugary Foods & Drinks 

The amount and frequency of your consumption of sugar are two of the main risk factors for developing dental caries. 

We know kids are picky and love to eat sweets, but you need to decrease their sugar consumption. When sugar mixes with the mouth’s bacteria, it forms a harmful acid that weakens the tooth enamel. 

If you consume sugar, brush it immediately to decrease its harmful effects. 

7- Avoid Phytic Acid 

Phytic acid is present in legumes, cereals, and beans, including maize, rice, rye, wheat, kidney beans, etc. 

It creates difficulty absorbing certain minerals like calcium, iron, and zinc. So, cutting it off from your diet can also help minimize the damage it causes to teeth. 

When to Visit a Dentist? 

Mostly, dental cavities don’t cause any visible symptoms or dental pain, so a regular visit to the dentist is mandatory. 

Early diagnosis can help reverse the harmful impact of dental caries and reduce the need for expensive treatments.

The dentist may recommend any of the following treatments depending on the severity of the issue: 

• Fillings
• Crowns 
• Root canals 
• Tooth extractions 
• Flouride treatments 

Conclusion

Reducing sugar intake, incorporating vitamins and minerals in your diet, sugar-free chewing gum, and oil pulling help remineralize your enamel. 

Home remedies don’t help to remove cavities entirely but can keep you safe from getting these in the future. 

Regular visits to the dentist are mandatory to detect cavities at an early stage. Call today at (623) 535-7873 to book an appointment, or visit our website for further details!