Oral Health is About So Much More Than Toothpaste

Toothpaste should not be viewed as some magical cure-all either, because oral health is about so much more than toothpaste. Honestly, mostly more than toothpaste. 

There are people who use prescription fluoride toothpaste, fluoride rinses, fluoride varnishes, fluoride coated floss, and still struggle with cavities and demineralization. And then there are people who use no fluoride whatsoever and never get cavities at all.

I mean, just look at the tribes Weston A. Price studied. No toothpaste, and hardly any oral decay…until they were westernized.

Why? Because cavities are multifactorial, and NOT about toothpaste. 

Root Cause Matters

Saliva quality matters. Mouth breathing matters. Airway health matters. Diet matters. Feeding habits matter. Microbiome balance matters. Sleep matters. Bacterial load matters. Overall systemic health matters.

Toothpaste can only do so much.

For example, if someone Is constantly snacking all day then mouth-breathing at night, they could have the perfect oral hygiene regimen and still struggle with cavities because their mouth is spending too much time in conditions that favor demineralization.

Why might someone be cavity prone? You gotta ask the root cause Qs.

• What does their nutrition look like?

• Are they constantly snacking?

• Are they mouth breathing?

• Do they snore?

• Do they have poor saliva flow?

• Do they have airway issues?

• Do they have high pathogenic bacterial loads?

• And WHY?????!!

Let's talk about saliva for a sec

Since i've mentioned mouth breathing and saliva a few times already, let's talk about a key component of oral health most people don't realize. Saliva often doesn’t get the spotlight it deserves. It is one of THE MOST IMPORTANT parts of oral health. It is constantly rinsing the mouth, washing away food and bacteria, buffering acids that weaken enamel and lead to cavities. It helps deliver minerals like calcium and phosphate back into the teeth and helps repair areas of damage throughout the day.

When someone’s saliva flow is healthy, it helps keep their oral environment balanced and supports a healthy oral microbiome. It keeps pH levels from becoming too acidic, and protects the gums and soft tissues. 

When someone’s saliva flow is low, problems tend to show up fast and furious like plaque buildup, sensitivity, cavities, bad breath, gum irritation. Dry mouth is a major risk factor for oral health issues!! If you are prone to cavities you should definitely be looking into your saliva flow, and getting down to the root cause (like mouth breathing, dehydration, medications, etc).

If you are struggling with your oral health, despite adequate oral hygiene, I highly recommend establishing yourself with an airway dentist.