5 Ways to Get Rid of a Cavity — Plus, Natural Remedies That Can Help

What are cavities?

A cavity, also known as tooth decay, is a common dental issue affecting many people. It starts as damage to the outer layer of the tooth that eventually creates a hole. If not treated early, it can progress to the inner layers of the tooth, causing sensitivity and pain. 

Good oral hygiene is important for preventing and addressing cavities in the early stages. But you may be wondering what you can do to reverse or stop the cavity from getting worse. Let’s take a closer look at treatment options and natural remedies that can help you to get rid of a cavity. 

Is it possible to get rid of a cavity?

The simple answer is yes, it’s possible to heal a cavity, in certain cases. But, unfortunately, this is only in rare cases — when the cavity is in the early demineralization stage. This is also known as the pre-cavity stage, when the cavity is still in the first layer of your tooth. This is the only stage where the damage from a cavity can be reversed or stopped. 

Remineralizing a cavity at this stage is possible, but it takes a dedicated hygiene routine with toothpaste products that have fluoride. Other ways of supporting the remineralization phase include:

• Increasing saliva production

• Drinking more water and fewer acidic drinks

• Chewing sugar-free gum that contains xylitol

• Eating a calcium-heavy diet that includes cheeses, yogurts, milk, and vegetables, like kale and collard greens

Once a cavity progresses and reaches the second layer of your tooth, there’s no way to heal it on your own. At this point, you’ll need a trip to your dentist to fix your cavity.

How do you treat a cavity once it’s formed?

The best treatment for a cavity depends on its severity and your overall health. Here are four common treatment options to get rid of a cavity.

1. Fluoride treatment

If your cavity is still in the early stages, there may still be time to stop it in its tracks. A professional fluoride treatment will help add minerals back to your tooth enamel and could even reverse the cavity. 

For the best type of fluoride treatment, you’d have to visit a dentist. A fluoride application done at the dentist will have a higher amount of fluoride than what’s found in tap water, mouthwash, or toothpaste.

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2. Filling

A filling is the primary treatment option for a cavity. A filling is a material that’s used to “fill” and strengthen a tooth that’s been damaged by a cavity. It also helps to restore the normal function of the tooth.

Fillings can be completed with a variety of materials that vary in cost and durability. Some filling materials can blend perfectly with your natural tooth shade, but they’re generally more expensive.

3. Crowns 

If the cavity has damaged more than half of the tooth, your dentist may suggest a crown as the best treatment option. A crown will act as a custom-fitted cover for your tooth. It’s usually made of porcelain or a type of metal material, like gold. Strong materials like these will provide enough structural integrity to the tooth and reduce the risk of fracture.

4. Root canal

In some cases, the nerve may be compromised by the cavity. A root canal helps to restore and save a damaged or infected tooth. During this procedure, the dentist will remove the infected nerve and fill the area with a plastic material. A custom-made crown is then placed on the tooth after your root canal procedure to seal the tooth from any further damage.

5. Minimally Invasive Treatments

There are some alternative treatments that are sometimes used to treat cavities under certain circumstances. These cavity treatments are minimally invasive and don’t require a drill:

• Silver diamine fluoride (SDF): When applied by a dental provider this liquid can stop a cavity from progressing. It’s a great option for children, when behavior will not allow other treatments to be completed. 

• Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART): With this technique, only hand instruments are used to remove the decay. Then, a special material called glass ionomer is applied to the tooth. This is a great option in more rural areas where there’s no electricity and the drill can’t be used.

• Air abrasion: This process uses a stream of small abrasive particles to remove tooth decay material without the use of a drill. This method tends to be messy and tedious. It isn’t used by many dental providers.

• Hard-tissue laser: This method uses a focused light for cavity removal. It’s great for patients who don't like the sound of the drill and have small cavities.

How long can a cavity go untreated?

How long a cavity can go untreated depends on many factors. In cases where teeth are kept very clean and free from excess bacteria, a cavity may take years to progress. But it’s best to keep in mind that this is rare. 

In general, the sooner you take action, the better. Regular dental checkups help you understand how your dental health is doing. If you find a cavity early and get it fixed, you’ll save money and avoid more serious problems and pain.

Are there natural remedies to help fight cavities at home?

Visiting the dentist and getting your cavity properly treated will be effective, there are several natural remedies that you can try in the meantime. These dental home remedies may help to slow the growth of cavities and reduce the possibility of pain. And they may help to prevent further decay from forming on other teeth. 

Let’s review three home remedies you can try to help with cavities.

1. Xylitol 

Xylitol is a natural sweetener that comes from plant fibers. It can help stop the spread of bacteria in your mouth. It does this by increasing saliva and preventing the bacteria from producing the acidic environment it needs to survive. In turn, xylitol can help create a healthy barrier to prevent cavities from forming in your teeth. 

Xylitol is found in some toothpastes and chewing gums. Regularly chewing gum with xylitol for at least 3 weeks can decrease the levels of cavity-causing bacteria.

2. Clove oil 

Clove oil is a natural remedy that has been widely used to treat tooth pain. One active ingredient in clove oil is eugenol, a chemical that may have natural anesthetic and antiseptic properties. 

You should always visit a dentist if you think you have a cavity and you have tooth pain. They’ll need to figure out if your pain is from a cavity or other dental issues. 

In the meantime, a small amount of clove oil may help to control your pain until your dental visit. You could apply one to two drops of oil directly on the area of the cavity with a cotton swab. The oil will soak into the cavity and produce a numbing effect. This can be done every 2 to 3 hours, as needed.

3. Green tea

Unsweetened green tea naturally contains fluoride. This can help to strengthen your teeth and make them more resistant to cavity-causing acids. Fluoride can also be found in other common everyday household items, like tap water, certain toothpastes, and mouth rinses. 

How do you know if a cavity needs treatment?

Consulting your dentist is always a good first step for diagnosing a cavity and getting the best treatment plans. But there are signs and symptoms that can help you know that it’s time for treatment. These can include:

• Sudden discomfort while chewing

• Increased sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures

• Any brown or black spots on your teeth (Those spots may also be textured.)

• Food getting stuck in unusual places

• Holes or pits in your teeth that you can see

• Throbbing tooth pain that comes and goes

What to do for a cavity that’s causing pain?

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications can help treat your tooth pain from a cavity. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), tend to be more effective than prescription pain medication. You can also combine these with other OTC pain relievers, like acetaminophen (Tylenol), for added pain relief.

You should make an appointment with your dentist if you’re having significant pain from a cavity. They can help confirm the diagnosis and make sure there’s no other reason for your tooth pain. In some cases, your dentist may need to prescribe antibiotics to treat your cavity pain as well.

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Written by:

Zack Youngblood, DMD

Zack Youngblood, DMD, is a dentist who strives to change the general look of dentistry. Before stepping into the clinical field, he authored multiple works that helped dental students and dentists find their unique path in dentistry.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Shari L. Grigsby-Young, DDS

Dr. Grigsby-Young is a general dentist who was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. She completed her undergraduate studies at Xavier University of Louisiana.

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