Cavity Prevention

HELP! Why do I have Cavities?

Everyone wants to know why they have cavities. Some things you have no control over. You inherited the shape of your teeth and the kinds of bacteria from your parents. There are many kinds of normal bacteria in the mouth but only a few that are directly associated with cavities. These bacteria produce acid when fed sugar which dissolves the enamel on your teeth ultimately forming cavities.

So what can I do?

Stop feeding the bacteria sugar

When you eat sugar, the bacteria eat sugar and they produce acid as a by product of their digestion. This includes candies, sugared drinks (like sweet tea), and snacks.

Stop eating or drinking acid

The worst thing you can do for your teeth is to drink soda all day long. The soda has sugar in it and the average pH of soda is 2.2. Enamel dissolves at pH 5.5. A soda a day isn't going to kill you but the guy who carries a 44 oz Mountain Dew around the office all day long is feeding the bacteria. This includes all carbonated beverages, citrus fruits and juices - orange, lemonade, grapefruit, etc. If you can't brush after a meal, at least rinse your mouth with water.

Chew Xylitol gum

Biotene, Orbit, Trident, and Xylifresh gum has xylitol in it. This sweetener is picked up by the bacteria but they can't use it! It slows them down. The gum chewing also stimulates saliva production. Saliva has calcium and phosphates which help remineralize the teeth. A new product called Trident White has calcium and phosphate in it (but no xylitol) to help remineralized teeth. The recommended dose is two pieces of gum for 10-20 minutes four times a day.

Stop smoking and chewing tobacco

The heat from the cigarettes dries out your mouth making you have less saliva and more cavities. There is a lot of sugar in chewing tobacco and you are feeding the bacteria all day long.

Get a mechanical toothbrush

Some people just clean better with a spin brush than a regular toothbrush. Brush twice a day. Try brushing after every meal.

Floss

A toothbrush never gets between the teeth. Floss scrapes the goo out from between your teeth. You will get better with practice.

Use more fluoride

Use a high fluoride prescription toothpaste like Prevident 5000, a fluoride mouth rinse like Act or Fluorguard.