When my three-year-old granddaughter was identified with a cavity, my first thought wasn’t simply, She wants a filling.
It was, How did we get right here?
Fillings occur. Even in households who eat nicely, brush usually, and keep away from soda.
However when a cavity varieties, it’s not simply unhealthy luck—it’s an indication that one thing deeper is happening. And if we don’t perceive the foundation trigger, it’s prone to occur once more. So, right here’s what I did…
In her case, the reply turned clear: she had spent a number of weeks within the hospital battling a kidney an infection. It was an extremely powerful time for her and her dad and mom (my daughter and son-in-law).
Throughout that interval, my granddaughter was on IV antibiotics (which disrupt the oral microbiome), consuming largely hospital meals, and—as a result of her favourite animal is the panda—her dad and mom indulged her love for Hey Panda crackers, letting her have as many as she wished.
They felt terrible seeing her so sick, and like several dad and mom, they only wished to deliver her some consolation.
Sadly, that mixture—oral microbiome disruption, ultra-processed snack meals, and diminished saliva movement—set the stage for her cavity.
And right here’s the laborious fact my daughter and son-in-law discovered the laborious method:
You Can’t Out-Brush or Out-Floss a Dangerous Food plan
My daughter did every part “proper” when it got here to brushing and flossing. She was meticulous. And but, her daughter nonetheless ended up with a cavity.
Why? As a result of food plan is simply as—if no more—essential than brushing and flossing.
No quantity of brushing can absolutely defend towards a food plan excessive in fermentable carbohydrates like Goldfish, Hey Panda crackers, and saltines—particularly when these meals are eaten all through the day.
These processed snacks break down into sugars that gasoline acid-producing micro organism, creating the proper storm for cavities.
This was an enormous realization for my daughter:
Oral well being isn’t nearly what you do with a toothbrush and floss—it’s about what you place into your physique.
When my daughter referred to as me to inform me in regards to the cavity, she was heartbroken.
“I really feel so ashamed, Dad,” she stated. “I ought to have recognized higher. I grew up in your own home. I run Ask the Dentist. How did I let this occur?”
And I get it. No mum or dad desires to listen to that their baby has a cavity. However I instructed her precisely what I wish to let you know:
Cavities usually are not an indication that you just’ve failed as a mum or dad.
They’re an indication that one thing is out of steadiness—and when you determine why it occurred, you may course-correct.
As dentists, we’re taught that cavities are a hygiene drawback, however they’re really a dietary and microbiome imbalance drawback.
It’s not nearly brushing and flossing—it’s about what you eat, the way you breathe, and the well being of your oral microbiome.
I used to be lucky to boost three daughters cavity-free, with out fluoride. And my spouse and I are extremely happy with that. However I additionally acknowledge that immediately’s world is totally different.
Dad and mom immediately face extra challenges—processed meals is in all places, stress ranges are increased, and drugs like antibiotics are extra generally used, typically with unintended unintended effects on the microbiome.
So in case your baby has a cavity, don’t get caught in guilt. As an alternative, take it as a possibility to ask the best questions, make changes, and transfer ahead.
After her filling, I put her on this precise protocol to revive her oral microbiome, remineralize her enamel, and ensure she didn’t find yourself again within the dentist’s chair anytime quickly.
1. Checked for Mouth Respiration & Began Xylitol Nasal Spray
Mouth respiratory is without doubt one of the most neglected causes of cavities as a result of it dries out the mouth, decreasing saliva movement—the physique’s pure protection towards cavities. If a toddler snores, wakes up with a dry mouth, or is ceaselessly congested, this ought to be addressed first.
Whereas my granddaughter wasn’t a mouth breather, that is one thing I examine in each baby who will get a cavity. If she had been, I might have:
• Used a xylitol nasal spray (this one) to assist clear nasal congestion and promote nasal respiratory.
• Made positive she may breathe correctly by means of her nostril at night time, since mouth respiratory throughout sleep creates a really perfect surroundings for cavities to kind.
In case your baby has cavities regardless of nice brushing habits, examine for mouth respiratory!
2. A Magnesium-Wealthy Drink Each Day
Magnesium is essential for robust enamel, however most youngsters (and adults) don’t get sufficient. I began having her dad and mom make her a easy lemonade with:
- Filtered water
- A high-quality magnesium complement (that is the one I like to recommend)
She loves it—it tastes like a enjoyable deal with, however it’s really strengthening her enamel from the within out.
3. Cod Liver Oil for Fats-Soluble Nutritional vitamins (A, D, E, and K2)
Fats-soluble nutritional vitamins—particularly K2—are important for steering minerals into the enamel the place they belong. I instructed my daughter to provide her:
- A day by day teaspoon of high-quality cod liver oil (wealthy in nutritional vitamins A and D)
- Further K2 in complement kind (since most youngsters don’t get sufficient from food plan alone)
4. Oral Probiotics to Restore Her Microbiome
The micro organism in your mouth decide whether or not your enamel keep robust or develop cavities. After a spherical of IV antibiotics, her oral microbiome wanted some assist.
I added:
- An oral probiotic with Streptococcus salivarius like this one (code ATD15) to assist repopulate her mouth with useful micro organism.
Quick-forward to immediately—my granddaughter is now eight years outdated, thriving, and cavity-free.
Her different smaller cavities had been utterly ARRESTED—to the shock of her dentist—by brushing with Fygg varnish each night time.
There’s one cavity they’re watching on a tooth that may fall out when she’s 12, however the Fygg varnish has stopped its development.
They’re monitoring it with X-rays, making use of the ALARA precept—protecting publicity as little as attainable whereas guaranteeing they’re not lacking something.
She’s nonetheless on her protocol—persevering with with magnesium, cod liver oil, and Xlear nasal spray each night time.
This expertise taught my daughter one thing invaluable—not nearly cavities, however about the best way to take management of oral well being from the within out. And now, as an alternative of feeling disgrace, she feels empowered.
Cavities don’t occur in a single day. They’re the results of an imbalance—generally brought on by food plan, generally by sickness or drugs, generally by mouth respiratory and dry mouth. And whereas fillings are generally crucial, they need to all the time include a why.
For my granddaughter, we now know precisely what occurred and the best way to stop it from occurring once more.
In case your baby has had a cavity (otherwise you wish to stop one), begin this protocol now. And keep in mind: it is a shame-free zone.
Cavities don’t imply you’ve failed as a mum or dad. They simply imply it’s time to make changes.
And if there’s one takeaway from this expertise, it’s this:
You can not out-brush or out-floss a foul food plan.
To your nice well being,
Mark
P.S. Is there somebody you understand who may benefit from this info?