Regular brushing is the most obvious, and probably the most important factor in preventing decay. But it does not work in isolation. Other factors include:
Beneficial factors
- A healthy diet
- Lower stress levels.
- Keeping sticky or acidic foods off teeth; drink soda through a straw.
- Exercise for good general health.
- Keep your immune system healthy; exercise helps, as do certain foods.
- Avoid toxins in the air, food, or environment in general. These compromise health and immune system functioning.
Teeth decay because of:
- Poor nutrition
- Excess sugar
- Lack of minerals and micronutrients, including copper, iron, and manganese.
- Poor circulation
- Lack of exercise
- Poor general health
- Some illnesses
- Increase susceptibility when pregnant.
- Failure to clean teeth.
- Injured or infected teeth and gums that compromise general health, i.e.: impacted or infected wisdom teeth.
- Hereditary factors not fully understood
- Other factors are not fully understood.
Earlier theories about decay saw bacteria and the interaction with sugars as the fundamental cause of tooth decay. This is controversial as adjacent surfaces are exposed to the same amounts of bacteria and sugar do not always suffer in the same way; one can decay as the other remains unaffected.
Some research indicates that the flow of fluids through the teeth is important for preventing tooth decay. When the fluids flow properly the tooth strongly resists decay. Hormone levels and the amount of sugar in the diet affect the fluid flow. Rectifying this dietary factor may go a long way to preventing dental problems such as tooth decay.
Any dental concerns should be immediately checked by a dentist. Removing faulty wisdom teeth can prevent further health problems from occurring. The interconnected body we have is greatly influenced by our dental health, and our dental health is affected by our health in general.
