The Real Cause of Cavities And How To Stop Getting Cavities
Most people who struggle with cavities are told to brush and floss more, cut back on sugar, and use high-strength fluoride toothpaste. Yet, many follow this advice and still get cavities. Cavities are so common they’re considered normal—but they’re not. Cavities are a preventable disease affecting 2.3 billion people worldwide. If brushing, flossing, and avoiding sugar were enough, cavities wouldn’t be this rampant! So, how do you actually stop cavities?
Cavities are multifactorial, meaning they have many causes: poor diet, insufficient saliva, harmful bacteria, lifestyle habits, and more. If you’ve had a cavity in the last three years, you have active dental caries disease. The good news? Small, consistent changes can make a huge difference in protecting your teeth before cavities form.
What Causes Cavities?
Cavities form when acid breaks down enamel, pulling out calcium and causing demineralization. If this process continues long enough, a cavity forms that requires a filling. However, early demineralization is reversible!
The 7-Step Framework for a Cavity-Free Life
Dr. Clayton developed a seven-step framework to prevent cavities holistically. Each step builds on the last and is essential to cavity prevention.
1. Lay the Foundation
Understanding how cavities start is key to stopping them. This includes learning about normal vs. abnormal tooth development, why cavities form, and the different types of cavities and what that means about your risk.
2. Reduce Acid and Rebalance the Biofilm
Sugar doesn’t directly cause cavities—acid does! Ever met someone who eats junk food, rarely brushes, and still has no cavities? That’s because acid, not sugar alone, is the real culprit of cavities.
What causes all that acid? An imbalanced biofilm—your mouth’s collection of good and bad bacteria. A healthy biofilm protects your teeth, but an imbalanced one produces acid, leading to decay.
3. Supercharge Your Saliva
Your saliva naturally regulates bacteria, clears out food particles, and neutralizes acid to prevent cavities. When your saliva is insufficient or of low quality, your body cannot fight off cavities. It also helps to remineralize small cavities by depositing calcium back into the teeth. It is important to address any underlying reasons you have poor saliva and use strategies to stimulate more saliva throughout the day.
4. Optimize Vitamin and Mineral Intake
Your teeth need essential nutrients to fight cavities. These include:
- Calcium
- Vitamin K2
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin A
Instead of blindly supplementing, focus on nutrient-dense foods and ensure your body can absorb these vitamins effectively. Conditions like thyroid disorders can lead to deficiencies that increase cavity risk, so working with functional medicine providers to identify underlying health concerns is key.
5. Eat Strategically, Not Restrictively
Eliminating entire food groups isn’t necessary to stop getting cavities. Instead, focus on eating in a way that strengthens teeth and supports oral health. One of the biggest risks is snacking throughout the day and sipping on any drinks other than water. This keeps the mouth acidic and feeds the bad bacteria, leading to cavities.
6. Use Effective Products and Routines
Oral care products matter, but they aren’t a magic fix. With so many options, it’s easy to waste money on ineffective ones. Switching to scientifically backed, safe products saves time and money. At Restoration Dentistry, we personally use and recommend the Elementa Oral Care Products, along with some others you can find here. And if you’re unsure of what to use or don’t have access to better products, using nothing is better than using harmful products.
7. Partner With the Right Dental Provider
Many dentists want the best for their patients, but may rely on outdated practices. Learning about your oral health helps you advocate for better care. Many of my online students bring the resources we provide to their dentists to help them get the care they need to become cavity-free.
Implement a Sustainable Long-Term Plan
Cavity prevention isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about consistent, sustainable habits. When you apply these steps, dental anxiety fades, your oral health improves, and cavities become a thing of the past.
By following this framework, you can take control of your oral health and confidently maintain a cavity-free smile.
How Can Restoration Dentistry Help With Your Cavity Prevention Journey?
Dr. Clayton is a cavity prevention enthusiast, one of the first dentists of his kind, and one of the only Functional dentists in the Treasure Valley.
Learning about all of the factors that can contribute to preventing cavities and trying to implement them can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in: Introducing the Caries Prevention Program, a custom in-office program designed to make achieving the cavity-free life of your dreams easily attainable!
What’s included in the program?
- In-depth risk assessment to pinpoint your specific risk factors
- Collection of key data points about your saliva to help focus your efforts
- Education about the disease process
- Personalized guidance on how to become cavity-free
- Coaching through sustainable lifestyle changes
- Tailored product recommendations for your risk factors
Never again will you feel like you are not in control of your oral health.
Restoration Dentistry Can Help With Your Cavity Prevention Goals
At Restoration Dentistry, we are here to support you in your journey toward optimal oral health. If you’re ready to take the leap, our team is ready to guide you with our focus on whole-body wellness and preventative care. Book an appointment today by calling (208) 229-1500 or filling out our contact form.
