Cavities are mainly the product of having a poor quality of bacterial plaque accumulated on the teeth. Most of us get our oral bacteria from our mothers, for example when they taste our food before feeding us as children. Bacteria are actually necessary to keep teeth lubricated for chewing and to physically exclude pathogenic bacteria from inhabiting the mouth and causing respiratory and other diseases. Unfortunately, some of these “helpful bacteria” produce acids that demineralize enamel and lead to cavities.
To prevent cavities, you obviously need to keep your teeth clean and also maintain an environment in your mouth that is more hospitable to non-acid-producing bacteria and less hospitable to acid-producing bacteria. Here is how to do it:
-Brush your teeth in the morning before breakfast so there are fewer bacteria in your mouth when you introduce food that bacteria could use to multiply and produce acids. Also brush before bed each night since during sleep your mouth is drier and there is less saliva to buffer the acids in your mouth.
-Use a slightly abrasive fluoride toothpaste, such as Pronamel, with a soft-bristled toothbrush or better yet an electric toothbrush. High abrasives can remove the protein film that coats the surface of teeth to help them resist acids. The film is like the skin of your teeth. If you’re not sure if your toothpaste is too abrasive, rub some between your fingers, you shouldn’t feel gritty at all.
-Avoid, as much as possible, acidic foods and drinks such as candies, soft drinks, kombucha, etc. Your tooth enamel begins to demineralize below a pH of 5.5
-Rinse before bed with an alcohol-free mouthwash that has a basic pH. Alcohol doesn’t actually do much to kill bacteria, notoriously “alcoholic” rinses like Listerine kill bacteria with essential oils. However, alcohol will dry out your mouth, which is counterproductive. Unfortunately, most mouthwashes are also acidic in pH, low pH stabilizes the ingredients and increases shelf life. The only readily available mouthwash I have found with a basic pH is Tom’s of Maine Natural Baking Soda Mouthwash. You can always make your own baking soda rinse, but I find it’s easiest to buy at the store.
-If your dentist believes you are at very high risk for cavities, they might recommend that you rinse with baking soda after meals to reverse any drops in pH that may result from bacterial metabolism of sugars. Swish with water is a less effective solution, but satisfying for the rest of us.
I hope you found all of this useful. Happy brushing!