Tooth decay in the elderly causes damage to tooth enamel, due to bacteria attacking and penetrating the tooth core. This condition causes symptoms of pain, discomfort when eating and drinking, tooth sensitivity and abscesses. There are many folk methods to treat tooth decay in adults at home, but are they really effective or just a temporary solution? In this article, BIK International Dental Clinic will introduce folk and medical methods to treat tooth decay in adults.
Causes of tooth decay in adults
Tooth decay is a common problem in the elderly. It is caused by bacteria present in the mouth, mainly Streptococcus Mutans. When conditions are favorable, this bacteria produces acid that destroys tooth enamel and creates cavities. Some causes of tooth decay in adults include:…
Improper oral hygiene
Improper oral hygiene can lead to the formation of plaque on the teeth. This plaque includes bacteria, acids and food particles stuck on the teeth, not only causing tooth decay but also causing gingivitis. When eating, especially foods high in sugar and starch, if not cleaned properly, it will create conditions for bacteria to grow, causing tooth decay in adults.
Diet is harmful to teeth
One of the main causes of tooth decay in the elderly is due to a diet that is harmful to teeth. When eating a lot of sugary and starchy foods, acidic foods such as sweets, sugar, ice cream, chocolate, milk, honey, etc. regularly, it will easily stick to the teeth and cause tooth decay. A diet lacking in calcium, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals also makes teeth less strong, and the enamel is weak and vulnerable to damage.
Dry mouth causes tooth decay
Dry mouth can be caused by lack of water or side effects of drugs, related diseases, etc., which will cause changes in the number and composition of bacteria in the oral cavity. Mouthwash plays an important role in preventing tooth decay, creating a protective layer for the tooth surface and mucosa, mechanically cleaning by removing food debris and bacteria, regulating the pH in the oral environment, increasing the resistance of tooth enamel against acidic agents, etc. Therefore, when the mouth is dry, it will create favorable conditions for bacteria, fungi, etc. to develop. Ladies and gentlemen are very susceptible to tooth decay.
Due to the structure of the teeth
The structure of the teeth has a great influence on the ability to resist tooth decay, such as teeth growing straight and evenly, not cracked, having white and healthy enamel, etc. Uneven teeth will make it difficult to clean, the gaps between teeth due to crooked teeth, cracked teeth easily get stuck with food and lead to tooth decay and gum-related diseases.
Treating tooth decay in adults using folk methods
In the past, when science was not yet developed, people often passed on to each other some ways to treat tooth decay in adults at home such as:..
Supplementing a diet rich in vitamin D
Vitamin D is an important nutrient for the health of teeth and gums. Therefore, when you have tooth decay, you need to increase the following foods in your daily diet. Foods rich in vitamin D can be referred to include: salmon, oysters, clams, fish eggs, chicken eggs, orange juice, beef liver, mushrooms,…
Treating tooth decay with garlic
Using garlic can help kill bacteria and reduce inflammation in treating tooth decay. This is because garlic contains many compounds such as Phytonxit and Glycogen that have the effect of killing bacteria and reducing inflammation. The simple way to do it is to crush the garlic and apply it directly to the cavity. Doing it continuously every day for about 2-3 weeks will help heal tooth decay.
Tips for treating tooth decay with mint
Mint leaves are a popular and easy-to-find herb, so this is a simple way to treat tooth decay at home that anyone can do. You just need to soak dried mint leaves in boiling water for about 20 minutes, then use this water to rinse your mouth every day. In addition, you can also soak a cloth in mint tea and apply it to the affected tooth area.
Peppermint has analgesic, anesthetic and antibacterial properties, so it is an effective method to treat toothache and relieve pain quickly.
Treat tooth decay in adults with aloe vera
Aloe vera is a natural ingredient rich in antibacterial substances such as propolis, saponins and anthraquinones. Therefore, you can completely apply aloe vera to improve the symptoms of tooth decay at home. In addition, aloe vera also contains many nutrients that are beneficial for oral health such as vitamin C, amino acids, sodium…
How to do:
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- Wash and cut a few aloe vera leaves.
- Take the inside of the aloe vera and peel off the skin.
- Use aloe vera mucus to rub on your teeth for about 2 – 3 minutes.
- Then, rinse your mouth with clean water.
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Treat tooth decay in adults with cloves
In the composition table of clove essential oil, there is up to 50% of the active ingredient eugenol. This is a natural anesthetic substance that effectively relieves pain caused by tooth decay. In addition, eugenol also has anti-inflammatory properties, preventing the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay in the mouth.
How to do:
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- Crush the cloves.
- Soak the crushed cloves in alcohol for as long as possible.
- Use a cotton swab to soak the mixture of cloves and alcohol, then place it on the cavity.
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Treat tooth decay with licorice root
Licorice root is an ingredient that can prevent the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay in the mouth thanks to three compounds licoricidin, licorisoflavan-A and glycyrrhizin. If used properly, the symptoms of toothache and tooth sensitivity will quickly decrease.
How to use:
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- Make sure your teeth and mouth are clean.
- Put a teaspoon of licorice root in a cup of boiling water.
- Let it simmer for about 5 minutes and strain the tea.
- Drink licorice root tea.
- However, long-term use of licorice root can cause high blood pressure and edema, so you need to think carefully before using it.
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How to treat tooth decay in adults effectively and safely
Tooth filling, tooth filling
Because adult teeth are permanent teeth, preserving them is the most important thing. Therefore, you should go to the doctor so that he can make an accurate diagnosis. Even teeth that are 80% decayed can be restored to their shape and basic chewing function.
Tooth filling is a common method applied when an adult’s permanent teeth are chipped, broken or broken due to severe decay. The doctor will use a composite material that is the same color as the tooth to fill the cavities, helping to prevent bacteria and bring natural beauty to the teeth.
Porcelain crowns
In cases where the decayed tooth has been treated with a root canal or has a large cavity, the tooth filling method will no longer be effective because the filling is easily peeled off. The best solution is to use cosmetic porcelain teeth.
After removing the decayed tooth tissue, dentists will grind the enamel to the appropriate ratio. This is very important to adjust the shape of the tooth and create a strong connection between the porcelain tooth and the real tooth. After that, the porcelain tooth will be attached to ensure the aesthetics and chewing function of the tooth.
Porcelain teeth have a color and shape very similar to real teeth, making it difficult to detect fake teeth. In particular, most types of porcelain teeth have better resistance than real teeth, allowing you to eat and drink comfortably.
Implantation
When teeth are severely decayed and show signs of serious inflammation, experts will advise you to remove them because it is difficult to keep real teeth. In this situation, the method that is considered the most effective and popular is to replant completely new teeth.
One of the advanced methods that you can refer to is implantation. This technique not only helps you regain your natural teeth but also ensures good chewing function without causing pain.
Some frequently asked questions about treating tooth decay in adults
Is tooth decay in adults dangerous?
Tooth decay is when bacteria attack the tooth, causing cavities on the tooth surface and damaging the structure of the enamel and dentin. If not treated promptly, tooth decay can lead to pulpitis, pulp death, … causing bad breath, affecting aesthetics and even tooth loss, seriously affecting health. Some common symptoms of tooth decay in adults are severe sensitivity when eating and drinking, especially when eating cold foods.
Consequences of tooth decay in adults
If not treated promptly, tooth decay in the elderly can cause many serious consequences. Not only does it cause teeth to turn black and lose their aesthetic appeal, but it also spreads to the tooth structure and causes many dangerous complications. It can affect chewing function, cause bad breath, destroy the structure of the teeth, spread infection, and even lead to tooth loss. In particular, it can also affect the overall health of the body.
Effective ways to prevent tooth decay in adults
As is known, tooth decay in adults is caused by bacteria that operate in a favorable environment to destroy the tooth structure. Therefore, to prevent tooth decay, you need to clean your teeth, have a healthy diet and not be subjective when detecting signs of tooth decay.
