How To Get Rid Of Cavities: Home Remedies And Prevention

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Medical News TodaySubscribeAre there natural ways to remove cavities at home?

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS — Written by Lana Burgess — Updated on February 13, 2025

Cavities explained
Home remedies
Prevention
Contacting a dentist
FAQ
Summary

Cavities, or tooth decay, are small holes in the teeth. As a result, there is no natural way to remove them at home. Only a dentist can fix a cavity by filling it in. That said, home care can prevent cavities.

Food and bacteria buildup form a sticky film on the teeth’ surface and the gumline, which is called plaque.

When a person eats, the bacteria in the plaque produce acids that can lead to cavities. Streptococcus mutans is a type of bacteria that plays a role in this decay.

If a person or dentist does not remove plaque, it can cause tooth decay, gum infections, and the destruction of the bone supporting the teeth.

Plaque builds up more quickly in cracks, pits, and grooves between teeth and close to the gum line.

What are cavities?

A woman under a spotlight while a dentist uses tools to examine her mouth. — Jordi Salas/Getty Images

Cavities, also called tooth decay and caries, are holes in teeth. They happen when acids break down the teeth’s hard surface.

Tooth decay starts at the tooth’s surface, and the outer layer called the enamel. Over time, it reaches the tooth’s inner layer, called the dentin. At this point, cavitation begins to develop.

During the first stage, the tooth loses minerals (demineralization), which shows as white spots. This is when decay has damaged the tooth’s enamel but has not yet reached the dentin. However, once the decay advances and reaches the dentin, the teeth must undergo professional treatment.

Pre-cavity	Cavity
damaged enamel	damaged enamel and dentin
reversible	irreversible
no holes but may have visible white spots	presence of holes
usually not painful	painful or sensitive

Can a person get rid of cavities at home?

Cavities require professional treatment by dentists.

However, several home remedies can strengthen tooth enamel to reverse early demineralization and prevent tooth decay. This process is known as remineralization, which prevents a cavity from forming.

Good oral hygiene, like regular brushing, flossing, and dental cleanings with a dentist, can prevent and reverse cavities.

Using fluoride is a tried and tested way to prevent decay and cavities. High-fluoride toothpaste or direct fluoride application helps remineralize the tooth enamel and prevent cavities.

A 2020 review found that sodium fluoride mouth rinse and brushing with toothpaste are the most effective self-applied fluoride methods for root caries.

U.S. cities and towns also recognize the importance of fluoride. Many cities have embraced community water fluoridation for over 75 years. This is the most cost-effective strategy, significantly reducing tooth decay in children and adults.

However, some people may prefer natural home remedies over products containing fluoride. Here are some home remedies to prevent tooth cavities.

1. Oil pulling

Oil pulling originated in an ancient system of alternative medicine called Ayurveda. It involves swishing a tablespoon of sesame or coconut oil around the mouth for around 20 minutes, then spitting it out.

While some claims about oil pulling are not scientifically validated, research indicates that it can improve tooth health.

A 2020 review indicated that oil pulling with coconut oil might help improve dental health and oral hygiene. However, researchers noted that further studies are necessary to determine the practice’s effectiveness.

2. Aloe vera

Aloe vera tooth gel may help fight bacteria that cause cavities. A 2021 review found that its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties had similar positive effects on teeth as fluoride, reducing bleeding and swelling of the gums for conditions such as gingivitis.

While more research is necessary, aloe vera’s antibacterial properties may help reduce dental cavities by reducing harmful bacteria in the mouth.

3. Avoid phytic acid

Some people think that phytic acid, considered an antinutrient, contributes to tooth decay because it hinders the absorption of many minerals and their bioavailability. This includes minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium.

Some believe cutting it out of the diet can prevent tooth decay and cavities. Phytic acid is most commonly found in cereals and legumes, including the following:

maize
wheat
rice
rye
kidney beans
haricot beans
pinto beans
navy beans
blackeye beans
broad beans

However, food industries have taken measures to reduce their phytic acid content to enhance the bioavailability of micronutrients in food grains.

While phytic acid’s antinutrient properties are proven by science, no research has been conducted regarding its effects on the minerals in tooth enamel.

4. Vitamins and minerals

Minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium make up the structure of our teeth. Vitamin D is crucial in:

forming healthy teeth
protecting against dental caries
releasing calcium in the saliva to mineralize tooth enamel

A 2020 article indicated that having inadequate minerals can lead to absorption problems, increased tendency to bleed, and tooth loss.

Vitamin D is also crucial in oral health. It delays the onset and progression of dental cavities. In addition, taking vitamin D without magnesium leads to a soft enamel, which cannot resist the acids in the mouth, resulting in tooth decay.

5. Avoid sugary foods and drinks

Diet, especially the consumption of free sugars, is among the leading causes of cavities. Sugar mixes with bacteria in the mouth and forms an acid, which wears down tooth enamel.

Prevention

Proper oral hygiene and regular brushing with a high-fluoride toothpaste can prevent cavities and tooth decay.

Limiting sugar intake and visiting the dentist regularly can also help spot pre-cavities. Home remedies can also prevent cavities when decay is at the early cavity stage.

When to contact a dentist

Home remedies may reduce the risk of cavities or reverse damage to the enamel in the pre-cavity stage. Since not all cavities cause pain, it is essential to see a dentist regularly.

Dentists can detect cavities at an early stage and can recommend preventive measures. They may also provide a filling, sealant, crown, or other treatments for advanced cases of decay.

Home remedies should be used alongside dentist-recommended techniques, such as brushing, preferably with a high-fluoride toothpaste.

Frequently asked questions

Can a person get rid of cavities naturally?

Cavities, or tooth decay, are small holes in the teeth that only a dentist can remove and treat. However, home care and home remedies can prevent them from occurring or progressing, such as using fluoride toothpaste and avoiding sugary drinks and foods.

Can a person stop a cavity from worsening at home?

Avoiding sugary drinks and foods and cleaning teeth with floss and toothpaste are ways to prevent cavities from worsening.

What does a stage 1 cavity look like?

A stage 1 cavity may look like a tooth with no cavity holes but with visible white spots.

Summary

No home remedy can naturally remove cavities at home. However, home care and home remedies can prevent cavities from occurring.

Dentistry
Pain / Anesthetics
Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Adult oral health. (2020). https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/index.html
Chen W, et al. (2023). Phytic acid and its interactions in food components, health benefits, and applications: A comprehensive review.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224423003163
Malin
Pathi J, et al. (2021). A comparative assessment of the antibacterial efficacy of licorice mouth-rinse with chlorhexidine on salivary streptococcus mutans. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350897810
Peng TR, et al. (2022). Effectiveness of oil pulling for improving oral health: A meta-analysis.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9602184/
Pratyusha N, et al. (2021). Association of serum vitamin D and salivary calcium and phosphorus levels in 3-11-year-old schoolchildren with dental caries.https://www.jisppd.com/article.asp?issn=0970-4388;year=2021;volume=39;issue=3;spage=240;epage=245;aulast=Pratyusha
Sayar F, et al. (2021). Clinical efficacy of aloe vera toothpaste on periodontal parameters of patients with gingivitis—A randomized, controlled, Single-masked clinical trial.https://www.thejcdp.com/doi/pdf/10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3059
The tooth decay process: How to reverse it and avoid a cavity. (2025).https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tooth-decay/more-info/tooth-decay-process
Tooth decay. (2022).https://medlineplus.gov/toothdecay.html
Uwitonze AM, et al. (2020). Oral manifestations of magnesium and vitamin D inadequacy. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960076019301815
Water fluoridation basics. (2021). https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/basics/index.htm
What CDC is doing. (2024).https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/about/what-cdc-is-doing.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/basics/anniversary.htm
Woolley J, et al. (2020). The effect of oil pulling with coconut oil to improve dental hygiene and oral health: A systematic review. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844020316327
Zhang J, et al. (2020). Topical fluoride to prevent root caries: Systematic review with network meta-analysis.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0022034520906384

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Medically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS — Written by Lana Burgess — Updated on February 13, 2025

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