Dental cavities, also known as dental decay, occur in the presence of germs called “bacteria” living on the surface of the tooth. They degrade food particles and sugar into an acidic solution that softens the tooth enamel. The bacteria produce a barrier called “plaque” which protects them from our immune system’s recognition.
The World Health Organization estimates there are 2.4 billion people worldwide that have cavities and 620 million babies who suffer from them as well.
As we have seen, healthy teeth are important for overall health, so prevention of dental cavities is vital for the entire body. Fortunately, there are alterable factors that we can avoid in order to decrease the risk for dental decay, for instance, eating foods that cling to the teeth, such as candy or chocolate, frequent snacking and sipping on sugary drinks, bedtime infant feeding, inadequate brushing of teeth, dry mouth, and acid reflux (heartburn).
Prevention of cavities includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, especially before bedtime, avoiding a diet high in sugar, avoiding excess fruit juices and sodas, and opting for a balanced, plant-based diet that provides a vast array of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids instead.
While Vitamin A is well known for improving vision, scientific studies show that vitamin A deficiency is associated with dry mouth and reduced salivary flow. A lack of saliva is in turn associated with an increase in dental cavities. In a study of Sjogren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that often is associated with xerostomia (dry mouth), scientists noticed an improvement in salivary production after 3 months of Vitamin A intake as well as Omega 3 Fatty acids.
In order to get the necessary amount of Vitamin A, opt for adding Vitamin A rich foods like carrots, mangos, sweet potatoes, kale, collards, and spinach into your diet. Implementing these foods into our diet is a step in preventing dry mouth and cavities. Optimal levels of Omega 3 Fatty acid can be obtained by eating 3 Tablespoons of Flax or Chia seed in your cereal, salads, soups, fruit, or yogurt.
While these treatments and prevention remedies are not substitutes for a visit to the dentist, these are some of the things we can do to prevent and get rid of these dental woes. Try implementing these tips today.