Minor Cavities heal?

I read this information online. If one has small cavities, they could heal/seal themselves if optimal oral hygiene is maintained. Or maybe undergoing fluoride treatment. Is this true? If so, HOW MINOR do you consider minor cavities? 1mm in depth? 2mm? Thanks.

Minor Cavities heal?
I have never in all my 34 years of orthodontic/dental life heard of such a thing. Once you get ANY kind of cavity it doesn't just go away on its own, it just gets larger and eventually could even abscess.
Reply:it depends of how big or small it is.
Reply:maybe in star trek
Reply:Not a dentist, but my understanding is the best you could do is stop the cavity from getting bigger, as I don't believe they "heal" themselves.
Reply:A cavity is a hole in your tooth and it can't naturally just heal and seal itself shut. You need a filling.
Reply:I am not a dentist, but when I was younger (around 15-16) I went to the dentist and he told me I had a "pin point cavity" and that if I brushed that side of my mouth really well that I would not need to have the cavity filled! I don't know if it really "heals" or just stays small and harmless, but like I said, brush, brush, brush! :)
Reply:if its 1mm a filling has to be done. it wont go away . for a cavitie theres nothing else but a filling. sorry
Reply:Rough rule of thumb - early decay that is LESS than halfway thru the enamel layer can be halted if you have good hygiene and diet. This is really only for holes that form where teeth touch together (interproximal caries) and are readily seen on Xrays. Decay in the top of a tooth (occlusal caries) cannot be monitored by Xrays, and are therefore unsuitable - they must be treated.


But...


1. interproximal caries is most often the result of sweet drinks, so no more juices, soft drinks, sports drinks,...


2. you need to be in a fluoridated water system, and/or use high fluoride toothpastes e.g. Colgate Neutrafluor 5000;


3. you need to have REGULAR Xrays - I would suggest every year.


Over time, the cavities stay stagnant and are always visible on Xrays. They do not go away and you must maintain the above rules if you don't want progression of the cavities.