If we asked 10 people what the #1 cause of tooth decay is, how many different answers do you think we would get?
Let’s try it. 🙂
What do you think? What’s the #1 cause of tooth decay?
Some will say tooth decay is caused from bacteria in the mouth whose waste is acidic and eats away at our teeth.
Others will say that eating sugar is the #1 cause because without the sugars in the mouth, the thug bugs wouldn’t have any food source to thrive.
People who believe the rhetoric on water fluoridation would say that the lack of fluoride is the cause of tooth decay.
Real Foodies would point the finger at the lack of minerals and fat soluble vitamins in the modern diet as the cause.
Paleo oriented people will point the finger at grains as the culprit because grains are high in simple sugars and other components like phytic acid that disrupt mineral absorption and intestinal integrity.
Vegan leaning people might say that excess animal protein consumption causes an acidic environment in the system provoking weaker teeth.
Still others would point the finger at sugar due to the power that sugar has in disrupting the natural cleansing mechanism of the teeth called ‘dentinal fluid flow’.
Some may argue that whether a person is prone or resistant to cavities is purely a genetic issue.
While all of these may or may not have some basis in reality, none of them point to the #1 reason why teeth decay (from our perspective).
Give up? 🙂
The #1 cause of tooth decay…
Is you. Is me. Is each of us in our own lives.
Specifically, the #1 cause of tooth decay in each of our lives is the amount of awareness we have cultivated toward what’s going on in our own mouths, solutions how to create greater oral health AND actions that we have taken to navigate this path to create a healthier mouth in our daily lives.
The bottom line is all the information in the world won’t make any difference if:
1. We don’t know what’s going on in our own system and
2. We don’t take the actions necessary to create positive change
That’s why we consider increasing our awareness to be the first step of dental self empowerment.
Like we’ve shared many times, if we don’t know where we are, how on earth do we expect to know if the actions we are taking are helping us head in the right direction or not? It’s like trying to play a game of darts with your eyes closed. Without the feedback that seeing your progress provides, the likelihood of hitting the target is slim.
And once we have gotten to know what’s going on in our mouths, unless we know what actions we can take (AND take them), we really can’t expect any positive change.
Since we love being with you every step of the way along your path to optimal oral health, here are some tools to help you navigate this path confidently.
How to Get Heading in the Right Direction…
First, if you haven’t ever filled out an OraWellness Mouth Map, now is the time to do so.
It only takes 15 minutes and the benefit you’ll gain is HUGE. You will finally have a dated record of your ‘current location’ so you can best know if the steps you are taking are helping or not. Here’s a link to an article that walks you through the process.
If you want to take a couple more steps along the path to optimal oral health, here’s a link to a free video tutorial course, the 5 Steps to a Healthy Mouth.
The 5 Steps is a series of short, focused videos delivered to your email every couple days to help you navigate to greater oral health.
In the 5 Steps to a Healthy Mouth, you’ll learn:
- Which foods support oral health and why
- What foods directly undermine our oral health
- How some oral hygiene habits can actually cause damage
- and so much more…
And it’s Free!
As always, we appreciate your help in sharing this information if you know someone who would benefit from being introduced to this empowering information.
Related, Helpful Resources:
OraWellness Mouth Map [free download resource]
The First Step to Dental Self Empowerment [article]
5 Steps to a Healthy Mouth [free video series]
Why Teeth Decay (and How to Stop it) [article]
OraWellness HealThy Mouth Blend [product solution]
I’ve watched your videos on how to brush, but I have a Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush, which I’m not thrilled about getting rid of, if I don’t have to. I have been brushing my teeth using the technique you recommend (the 45 degree angle using short, “wiggle” movements at the gum line) for many years since I was diagnosed with Periodontal Disease back in the 1980’s. My dentist showed me how to brush, plus I’ve had two gum surgeries and have been brushing that way and flossing ever since. I am 74 now, with “long-in-the-tooth” gums, but no more bleeding. Unfortunately, I am low-income and cannot afford any more than basic exams and cleanings by dentists (my Medicare plan does not cover any more than that), so I’m hoping that your oral wellness program will help me keep the teeth I have left (I’m missing a few). Can I still use my electric toothbrush instead of the brush you recommend?
Aloha Susan,
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Just like with manual toothbrushes, whether or not electric toothbrushes are safe/good for teeth depends on how they’re used.
We think that how we brush is very important, because any tool we use in the mouth can help or harm depending on our technique and whether or not we are using it with conscious awareness. No matter which brush you choose to use, you just need to gently place the bristles against your teeth and gums and brush with a light hand; you don’t need to use a lot of pressure (actually, you want to avoid doing this). Here’s a blog entry that explains more on the importance of conscious brushing: Electric vs Manual Brushing, Which is Better? – Part 1.
In addition to brushing mindfully, the technique is important. The Bass Brushing Technique is done gently and with awareness. Here’s a link to a blog entry and videos that describe how to do the Bass Brushing Technique.
Also, here’s a link to a video that explains how to brush the surfaces of your teeth.
These resources don’t specifically address doing the Bass Brushing Technique with electric toothbrushes, but you could turn off your brush and do this technique along the gum line and then turn your brush on to gently clean your teeth and the rest of your mouth.
It’s my understanding that with electric toothbrushes, it’s especially important to remember that the brush is doing most of the work already, so you just need to very gently place its bristles against your teeth and gum line and slowly move it around your mouth (no need to apply any pressure or to do any movements yourself, since the brush is taking care of all of that).
I hope that helps!
Congratulations!
I´m a Dentist, and I must tell you, you hit the nail on the head, every one of us (even Dentists) need to take responsability of our own health!
It´s terrific how you pointed it out
Thanks for sharing
Greetings from Caracas, Venezuela
Aloha Dr Marcano,
Thank you for your kind words of support. It’s such an honor when professionals stop by to offer your experience to this discussion.
Thank you!
Hi I wanted to get the 5 videos but
because my e-mail is different it won’t
acknowledge. I have ordered one of your
Products before but want to understand more. I had a very disappointing dentist appt today. Arlene
Aloha Arlene,
Thanks for reaching out to us here.
I’m sorry you had a very disappointing dentist appointment and were unable to access our 5 Steps to a Healthy Mouth video series.
Feel free to contact us with any questions, Arlene; we’re here to help.
Thank you and Aloha!