The Truth About Tooth Decay

I have always thought that acids were to blame for tooth decay, so seven years ago I decided to stop brushing my teeth and to cut out anything acidic. This experiment of mine showed me that that was the case! What I did was to use a tooth pick and dental floss plus mouth swilling with distilled water, I kept this up for six months,the results, my teeth were never effected in any way!!! In fact my teeth have become harder and glow a pale ivory colour. Brushing too much with toothpaste has been known for a long time to lead to teeth enamel loss. Spencer.

So why did you stop?

Hi Guest.

I only stopped doing this for six months to see what would happen to my teeth when I went back to traditional brushing. Since then I have carried on with my first experiment and found it to be best. Spencer.

I have always thought that acids were to blame for tooth decay

Makes perfect sense from a chemist's point of view. Therefore, *gentle* brushing with baking soda should go a long way towards eliminating acidity (I really like Arm & Hammer's line of baking soda toothpastes).

Brushing too much with toothpaste has been known for a long time to lead to teeth enamel loss

Hence dentists' recommendation to use a *soft* brush instead of the "medium" or "hard" types. The soft bristles not only apply less direct abrasion, but they also decrease the pressure applied via the mineral particles in the toothpaste. The medium and hard brushes probably also damage the gums (soft brushes provide enough of the recommended stimulation).

Why doesn't someone come up with an alkaline based gum or candy--to counter-act the acidity?

Why doesn't someone come up with an alkaline based gum or candy--to counter-act the acidity?

Unfortunately, alkaline (pH<7) substances taste bitter. Baking soda provides a much more agreeable alternative. Although only very slightly alkaline, it has the capacity to neutralize relatively large quantities of acid, and in the process produces a pleasant effervescence (fizz).

HCO₃^- + H⁺ ---> H₂CO₃ ---> H₂O + CO₂

The only problem with baking soda is that it tastes salty.

alkaline (pH<7)

The above is incorrect -- I should have written: alkaline (pH>7)

A related discovery of my own:

For decades I had hypersensitive teeth and severe erosion of the enamel. A few years ago my doctor prescribed an acid blocker to treat my acid reflux condition. VIOLA! My sensitivity dissappeared! Unfortunately, the damage due to erosion is already done. I wish I had know about acid blockers long ago.

Bill Morrow

Thank you for mentioning this -- your comment just triggered an insight about my mother's sensitive teeth. She has acid reflux, but I had not thought of the connection that you pointed out. She started taking an acid blocker (Prevacid), after which she seemed to complain less about her teeth. But now I'll ask her about it in case she needs additional relief by upping the dose. She just switched to Nexium (much less expensive), so I also need to find out if this has the same protective effect.

Gary-

I have been on Prilosec and Nexium. (Not at the same time.) Both medications provided relief for tooth sensitivity.

Bill Morrow

I thought the acid was caused by a specific bacteria. In fact, a number of years ago I read an article on a "vacine" that had been developed in Britain to stop the bacteria responsible for the acid production. I never heard anything since.

Looking at http://www.animated-teeth.com/tooth_decay/t2_tooth_decay_caries.htm

I found this:

"The acids that cause tooth demineralization (cavity formation) are produced by specific types of bacteria (mutans streptococci and lactobacilli) that live in dental plaque."

Anyway I figured a trip to Britain for some vacinations was in my future but I never heard anything about the vacine again.

Imagine what great thing it would be.

Oh well.

Gavilan

Hi Gavilan.

Yes you are right.

What I forgot to mention was that every evening I wash my mouth out with a mouth disinfectant to keep these bacteria at bay.

At 62 years of age I still have all my teeth, so I must be doing something right!

Spencer.