Cavities and gum disease are not a mystery! These are symptoms and signs of a stoppable and preventable, underlying, bacterial disease that occurs when the mouth is out of balance. This means that anyone with a family history of bad teeth does not passively “inherit” cavities and gum disease – no matter what you have been told!

When I interview clients with bad oral health I want to discover the causes or reasons why someone has cavities or gum disease – problems they may have endured for decades. When we find these problems we can easily find solutions. This is why we focus on the 24-hour experience of a tooth inside their mouth! We talk about the many things that happen during their day – things that can make their mouths dry or acidic often for long periods of time. 

Mouth Dryness
Some people have a face or jaw shape that puts them at increased risk for mouth breathing – which reduces saliva’s ability to heal their gums or strengthen teeth. Others have difficulty breathing through their nose because of allergies or sinus issues. You may be unable to close your lips over your teeth, which leaves these teeth unprotected by saliva and at increased risk for cavities and gum disease. Dry mouth usually leads to sensitivity, staining, bleeding gums and tooth fractures. All these risks can be minimized or overcome completely.

Mouth Acidity
How long is your mouth acidic each day? This is an important question since acidic conditions dissolve minerals out of teeth and leave them soft, more likely to stain and more likely to erode and wear. Acidity provides the conditions for harmful bacteria to multiply – leading to bleeding and the onset of periodontal pocketing and gum disease. 

Many drinks and foods are acidic –even healthy ones – and periods of acidity will need to be balanced or else they will cause serious mouth problems. Foods that contain sugar or carbohydrates create acidity in the mouth. Even some vegetables – like spinach and kale – contain oxalic acid and when these are juiced or sipped, the acidity can cause damage. The problem is not short spells of acidity but the creation of extended periods of mouth acidity – by sipping or snacking over many hours. 

In acidic mouth’s conditions, healthy bacteria will disappear and more harmful ones will become dominant. This eventually leads to symptoms of bad breath, plaque and calculus build-up, gingivitis, and cavities. Teeth will show signs of weakness and damage and tooth enamel may look thinner or appear darker in color, or your teeth may feel powdery and rough or edgy and sensitive.

It is important to limit acidic conditions and give teeth time to interact with undiluted saliva.