How to Reduce Your Risk for Getting Cavities?

David D Keen, DDS 619 442 0983

How to reduce your risk for getting Cavities?

If you have had more than 1 cavity in the last 12 months, you are at risk for getting new cavities. This has many causes related to: frequency of snacking, drinking beverages that are acidic and or contain a fermentable carbohydrate, medications which produce dry mouth, smoking, stress and reduction in saliva.

Your saliva is key to defending against the bacteria which cause decay. Not only does it help with eating and swallowing, it provides buffering capabilities to reduce the acids in your mouth, as well as enzymes which help to digest starch.

Sometimes, the saliva can’t buffer well, which allows more acids to predominate in the oral cavity which promotes the growth of cavity causing bacteria. Add a few sugary or starchy snacks, and you now have a recipe for disaster. What to do?

Dr. Keen has provided a plan which will help to regulate the acid levels in the mouth, and provide extra protection to the enamel and root surfaces.

1. Toothpaste. Either use the Arm and Hammer Complete care with enamel strengthening or dip you favorite fluoride containing toothpaste in baking soda. Baking soda is great for maintaining neutral saliva and helps the teeth to uptake the fluoride, and calcium, which are necessary building blocks of tooth enamel.
2. Toothbrush. Sonicare makes an excellent toothbrush which through it ultrasonic action allows the fluoride and calcium ions to penetrate deeper into the hard surfaces of your teeth. Brush 2 times a day, preferably after breakfast. Try not to brush within 30 minutes of consuming an acidic beverage.
3. Anticavity rinse after brushing. Rinse with an anticavity rinse with fluoride after brushing. Several brands are available: ACT, Previdentare 2. Don’t buy rinses that contain alcohol. Daily use of alcohol rinses can increase your risk for getting oral cancer.
4. Xylitol- this is a sweetener that has been around since the 50’s, but has received much attention lately. Originally found in the bark of a tree, it helps to regulate your mouth’s acid levels and turns off the cavity causing bacteria-they can’t produce the acid which causes tooth decay. In order to provide maximum benefit, you will need to consume between 3 to 5 grams of xylitol daily. This can be accomplished with mouth rinses, gum, candy and it is also provided as a sugar form which can be added to food or beverages. It tastes delicious, very close to the taste of real sugar. Ice cubes brand gum contains 1 gr. of xylitol per piece. 5 grams=1 teaspoon. Spry company makes candies, rinses and toothpastes. Dr. John’s makes xylitol lollipops as well as an herbal lollipop which will also further help to reduce dental decay. A study done at UCLA showed a 20% reduction in decay rates among the population tested, using the herbal lollipops. They taste great and kids won’t notice the added herbal component. Stores that sell xylitol: Target and CVS sell Ice Cubes gum; Sprouts, whole foods, both sell xylitol gum, xylitol sugar. Spry and Dr. johns candies can be purchased online.
5. Diet - Most of the healthy food choices in our diets are loaded with acid and or sugar. From Chinese food sauces to ice tea, energy drinks etc. They all cause cavities. There is a table published on line titled: “Drinks that Eat teeth” To sum it up, all drinks that contain citric acid as a preservative will cause a rise in acid levels. The best drinks are water-we should be drinking a lot more of it, iced tea- fresh brewed and unsweetened, carbonated water. Coffee can also be very acidic, depending on where the coffee originates. Most Indonesian and Sumatra coffees are fairly low in acid. Green tea is beneficial both for its low acid level, but it also has a natural source of fluoride, and has strong anti-oxidant properties. Foods that contain arginine are also tooth friendly: nuts, dark veggies are some examples. Aged cheese when combined with a fruit snack can reduce the acid levels from the fruit, and it also has a natural source of free calcium and enzymes which help to reduce the sugars. Avoid a lot of starchy snacks, especially at night where the starch can sit on the teeth during sleep. If you must have a late night snack, eat popcorn. If you eat a meal, rich in acidic foods such as; tomatoes, citrus, vinegar, white wine, rinse afterwards with a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda to a cup of water. Wait 30 minutes before brushing, as all that acid has softened the hard enamel and you will brush away the softened layer.
6. Professional hygiene visits: the standard cleaning interval is 6 months for healthy teeth and gums. If you are at risk, consider an additional cleaning along with a fluoride treatment. We use the latest in fluoride technology, which is a varnish that has staying power to allow more fluoride to reabsorb into the enamel. The cavity process pulls both fluoride and calcium out of the enamel and replenishment is necessary to rebuild and strengthen enamel.
7. Dry mouth-there are many ways to help manage dry mouth. Please feel free to contact our office or ask our staff at your next visit and we can custom design a program that will help to manage your teeth and help with the dry mouth condition.