Eating too many sweets is not the only cause of tooth decay. People who frequently stay up late or have low saliva levels are also prone to cavities. This article will discuss four foods and two types of tea that can help prevent tooth decay.

4 Causes of Tooth Decay

Why do cavities occur? Here are some common causes:

1. Acidic foods and beverages: Sweet treats, soda, and fruit juice are highly acidic beverages that can directly acidify teeth, disrupting the natural pH balance in the mouth. In an acidic environment, dental plaque adheres to the teeth, making teeth more susceptible to enamel erosion and contributing to tooth decay. Sticky sweets, such as candies, chocolates, cookies, and pastries, can coat the surface of the teeth, providing abundant nutrients for bacteria in the mouth.
2. Fried and spicy foods: Excessive intake can lead to swollen and inflamed gums, bad breath, dry mouth, and even tooth decay.
3. Unhealthy habits: Regularly staying up late, excessive work, high stress, and insomnia can weaken the body’s immune system. This can lead to a proliferation of bacteria in the mouth, which can accumulate on the teeth or gum tissues, resulting in swollen and inflamed gums or tooth decay.
4. Insufficient saliva production: Low saliva production can make the mouth acidic, speeding up the loss of calcium and minerals from the teeth and potentially leading to tooth decay.

4 Foods for Preventing Tooth Decay

Some foods contribute to protecting our dental health. For instance, onions and cheese can help prevent and lessen tooth decay.

1. Onion

Onions help to lower cholesterol and prevent tooth decay. The sulfur compounds in onions exhibit potent antibacterial properties. Regular consumption of onions can also boost immunity and prevent heart disease.

One study evaluated the antibacterial activities of onion extract on several oral pathogens, including the main bacteria responsible for tooth decay—Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus—and the main bacteria responsible for adult periodontitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia. The results showed that onion extract exhibited inhibitory effects on all tested bacterial strains, suggesting that onion extract may have the potential to prevent and treat oral diseases.

2. Cheese

Consuming cheese stimulates saliva production, which protects against tooth decay. Cheese contains phosphorus and calcium, which readily dissolve in saliva. The increased saliva created during chewing promotes the release of these minerals, which are vital for bone and tooth health.

A randomized controlled trial showed that consuming cheese and other dairy products can help prevent tooth decay. The study evaluated the changes in plaque pH levels after subjects consumed different dairy products. The results showed that the plaque pH levels of the subjects changed significantly after consuming different dairy products, with the cheese group having a higher pH level than the milk and yogurt groups. This suggests cheese has a higher anti-cariogenic (tooth decay preventative) property, while milk and yogurt can be considered non-cavity-causing foods.

3. Propolis

Propolis—a resin-like substance that bees produce to build their hives—can kill Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria responsible for tooth decay, and help remove plaque. In fact, many toothpaste products on the market include propolis for its decay-preventing properties.

4. Foods Rich in Natural Fluoride

Foods rich in natural fluoride exhibit a preventive effect against tooth decay. Examples include fish, shrimp, seaweed, jellyfish, apples, lettuce, mineral water, and tea leaves.

2 Teas for Preventing Tooth Decay

The following teas can protect your teeth:

1. Black tea: Regular consumption of black tea can help prevent tooth decay. Tea contains fluoride and catechins, which are known to prevent tooth decay. Black tea, in particular, has the highest fluoride content. Green tea also contains fluoride and catechins. However, it can be harsher on the stomach because of its unfermented nature. Therefore, it is recommended to use it for mouth rinsing.
2. Houttuynia tea: Houttuynia, a plant native to Southeast Asia, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help prevent tooth decay. It also treats oral ulcers, colds, sore throats, and other symptoms.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Toothache

Toothache caused by tooth decay can be alleviated by applying or rinsing the mouth with the following ingredients:

• Green salt: Green salt is a crystalline rock salt that is dried after being extracted from salt lakes. It can be used for rinsing or brushing teeth. Regular table salt can be used as a substitute if green salt is unavailable.
• Sichuan pepper: The volatile oil in Sichuan pepper acts as a local anesthetic and pain reliever. Grinding it into a powder and applying it to the swollen and painful area of the teeth can alleviate pain.
• Wild ginger (Xi Xin): Take a small amount of fresh wild ginger, grind it into powder, and apply it to swollen gums or cavities for its anesthetic and pain-relieving effects.
• Daikon: You can slice it and eat it raw or rinse your mouth with its juice. Raw daikon has a slight pungency and offers numerous benefits, including clearing heat, detoxifying, cooling the blood, and stopping bleeding. Rinsing your mouth with daikon juice or applying it to a painful tooth can reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

The methods mentioned above only provide temporary pain relief. Establishing good brushing habits and visiting a dentist regularly for checkups is crucial.

Treating Toothache With Acupuncture

Performing acupuncture at the Hegu or Zusanli acupoints can also alleviate toothache.