Why do I have cavities?


    Cavities are caused by a bacterial infection known as caries
    An acidic oral environment drives the infection
    Brushing and flossing alone cannot stop the infection
    The good news is that the infection is treatable and preventable . . . read more to find out how



  • Prolonged acidic (low pH) oral environment: contributing factors include a lack of saliva, and/or a sugary/acidic diet that favours acid-producing bacteria.
  • Transmission: this infection is contagious! You can be infected by someone through exchange of saliva. Drilling and filling has been the traditional method of treating cavities, but it doesn't treat the bacterial infection, just the symptoms. Brushing and flossing has been the traditional method of prevention, but it does not change the pH (acidity) of the oral environment or treat the infection once it exists.
  • Visit a dentist who is performing "caries risk assessment", where they evaluate what factors are contributing to you getting cavities, and offer treatment beyond drilling and filling.
  • Limit not only sugary/carbohydrate containing items in your diet, but also even non-sugar containing acidic beverages (i.e. diet soda, coffee, tea, sparkling water, alcohol). Consider the acidity (pH) of the dental products you are using. Do they neutralise your mouth? Know your pH. Don't just brush and floss. . . neutralise!
  • Understand that fluoride can be important, but is used to primarily remineralise your enamel and make it stronger. Fluoride can help treat the symptoms (cavities), but fluoride's effectiveness at stopping the bacterial infection has limits.
  • Xylitol is a very effective agent for limiting the acids produced by bacteria and comes in a variety of gums, mints, rinses, toothpastes, etc. Xylitol has been shown to make fluoride more effective.