Dental Health & Healing
How Long Does It Take To Reverse Tooth Decay?
Although there is no way to answer perfectly, here is some information that will hopefully help you make a decision. The gist of the matter is: it varies. A lot! And here’s why…
Because each and every tooth has its own condition, treatment needs, and healing properties, there is no way to tell exactly how long it will take for your teeth to heal.
It might take longer than you expect; in some cases, it may even be shorter. But I guarantee that if you follow the advice laid out in this article, your teeth will show signs of a healthy healing process—if not complete healing for early-stage decay.
The 3 Common Causes for Tooth Decay
The bacteria in your mouth digest the sugars found in the foods you eat. These are then excreted by the gums as acid, which erodes tooth enamel and leads to cavities on the teeth.
Every time you ingest large amounts of highly acidic food or drink (like soft drinks, carbonated beverages, coffee, or fruit juices), the bacteria responsible for decay feed on it and produce more acids.
When you don’t brush with fluoride-based toothpaste at least twice a day or floss regularly, plaque accumulates. Plaque is mainly made of bacteria that use proteins and sugars in your mouth to grow and multiply.
In all three cases, the acids produced by bacteria eat away at the tooth enamel. If you have deep cavities or a lot of plaque, healing might take much longer than if you just have slightly worn-down enamel.
Fun fact: If you go to sleep with your mouth open and snore a lot, your mouth oxygen levels are low and dry, which actually leads to a slower healing process!
The Process of Reversing Tooth Decay Includes Three Main Steps
Step 1: Repairing the Remnants of Tooth Structure
The remnants of a decayed tooth are called dental caries, which literally means “to eat away.” In order for your teeth to heal properly, you need to treat the exposed areas of enamel so they don’t continue to decay. Once decay breaches the enamel, it exposes the underlying dentin, which erodes even faster.
Action: It is essential that you visit a dentist or an endodontist so they can perform traditional dental treatment: sealants, fillings, crowns, bridges, and other restorative procedures to stop the active infection.
Step 2: Restoring the Enamel (Remineralization)
Since tooth enamel contains minerals, your next step is to restore its chemical composition by remineralizing it. Remineralization means bringing back the minerals that got lost during the decay process.
- Get as much calcium and phosphate into your mouth as possible.
- Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste (like Colgate Total, Sensodyne Pronamel, or Rembrandt Plus).
- Consider calcium supplements to support overall bone and tooth health.
The process of remineralization takes time, so you must remain consistent. Remember, only the living part of your tooth (and early-stage demineralization) can completely remineralize!
Step 3: Chiropractic Adjustments (Alternative View)
Some alternative health circles suggest that a proper chiropractic adjustment can stimulate the body’s own healing processes, arguing that it helps speed up the process of repair. Proponents suggest coming in for an adjustment once every few days or once a week.
🩺 Health Fact Check
While chiropractic care is excellent for posture and jaw alignment (like TMJ pain), there is no scientific or dental evidence that chiropractic adjustments can heal cavities or reverse tooth decay. Tooth decay is a localized bacterial infection and chemical process. To safely treat cavities and rebuild early enamel loss, you should always rely on dietary changes, fluoride/remineralizing agents, and professional dental care.
⏳ How long does it take to reverse tooth decay?
According to what is commonly available on the Internet and other sources, the answer is anywhere from six months to one year. While that’s true in many cases, we have seen early-stage enamel decay reverse within five months in individuals who had the right mindset and perfected their oral hygiene and diet. The six-month mark is a reasonable timeframe. Set a timeline, stick to your routine, and aim for the best results!
🚀 What is the fastest way to cure tooth decay?
The absolute fastest way is to do everything possible. That means eliminating bad habits and eating only healthy foods. You are what you eat!
Start enjoying the benefits of raw fruits and vegetables, and stop eating processed foods and fast food (junk in = junk out). Nutrient-rich foods provide the building blocks your saliva needs to remineralize your teeth.
🏥 When is the best time to see a dentist?
The best time to see a dentist is before your tooth becomes badly decayed. Once it reaches the point of infection and deep decay, you have lost precious enamel that cannot be remineralized successfully anymore. Your priority should be a thorough analysis of your oral health to prevent future cavities.
Don’t Wait Until It Gets Worse!
We hope we were able to answer some of your questions about how long it takes to reverse tooth decay. If you have any dental issues or concerns, never wait! See a dentist as soon as you can.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_enamel
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0109564117313039
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