Tooth decay: Slow, Stop, Heal?

When asked, Claude A.I. suggests:

Can dental caries be slowed,
stopped or reversed by any
dietary or oral hygiene methods?

Yes, dental caries can be slowed, stopped, and in early stages even reversed through dietary and oral hygiene approaches, [al]though the extent depends on how advanced the decay is.

Slowing and stopping progression

Even more advanced caries can be halted if the conditions that created them are changed. The key is shifting the balance from demineralization to remineralization.

Effective methods include:

Dietary approaches:

• Reducing frequency of sugar and acidic food/drink consumption (timing matters more than total amount)
• Limiting sticky, processed carbohydrates that feed oral bacteria
• Choosing xylitol-containing products, which can reduce harmful bacteria
• Ensuring adequate calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D intake

Oral hygiene:

• Fluoride toothpaste (1000+ ppm fluoride concentration)
• Proper brushing technique and timing
• Flossing to remove plaque between teeth
• Fluoride mouth rinses for high-risk individuals
• Professional fluoride treatments

pH management:

• Allowing saliva to neutralize acids between meals
• Chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate protective saliva flow
• Drinking water to dilute acids

The process works by creating an environment where your saliva can do its natural job of buffering acids and providing minerals for tooth repair. However, once caries progress to actual holes in the teeth, professional dental treatment becomes necessary alongside these preventive measures.

Other references:

https://www.medicinenet.com/xylitol_vs_erythritol_whats_healthier/article.htm