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Besides the effect of diet on the mouth environment, nutrition can make a difference: http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2010/12/dr-mellanbys-tooth-decay-rev

Besides the effect of diet on the mouth environment, nutrition can make a difference: http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2010/12/dr-mellanbys-tooth-decay-reversal-diet.html http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2010/12/dr-mellanbys-t...

RobertRoberts 9y ago
I have no doubts that the minerals/chemicals in the saliva that repair teeth rely on good nutrition. Or in some cases teeth may be weak or compromised simply because they didn't grow well because of poor nutrition as a child. Interesting article, thanks for sharing that. Edit: Quote from article you linked that is relevant: >"...I would recommend daily tooth brushing and flossing, avoiding sugar, and rinsing the mouth with water after each meal. This diet is capable of reversing early stage tooth decay." I'd argue that preventing tooth decay with diet is just as, or more, important as being able to repair decay. Also, CDC or ADA (I can't recall which) said that 80-90% of dental carries (cavities) form in the crowns of teeth, in the grooves. And elsewhere on their site state clearly that tooth brush bristles aren't small enough to even clean out these cracks. This means that brushing and flossing can't help with 80-90% of all tooth decay. Though I think they are still good, they aren't near enough.
- __blockcipher__ 9y ago
  What about a waterpik? Anecdotally, having used one, I think it’s way more effective than traditional flossing, since it actually can clean the gaps between your teeth (is that what you meant by the grooves?)
  - RobertRoberts 9y ago
    >...the gaps between your teeth (is that what you meant by the grooves?) No, the reference to grooves is on the crown of the tooth. (primarily molars) I think the issue with cleaning them out is that once solids get stuck in there and bacteria eat the solids they release acid that eats the tooth. Years ago my dentist filled these grooves with a UV activated plastic sealant. I think this is standard practice now days. Not sure if a waterpik could do it, I've never had one. (If you have had one, has it prevented cavities for you?)
    - thelittleone 9y ago
      The best solution for cleaning those grooves is a dental hygience kit, which you can buy on ebay or amazon for around $10. The same stainless steel tools the dentist uses.
  - pbhjpbhj 9y ago
    There were recent reports that studies showed flossing to have basically no statistically significant effect - ie that those who floss have no less tooth decay. Never read any papers on it, just noticed it in passing (maybe on Digg?).

RobertRoberts 9y ago

I have no doubts that the minerals/chemicals in the saliva that repair teeth rely on good nutrition. Or in some cases teeth may be weak or compromised simply because they didn't grow well because of poor nutrition as a child. Interesting article, thanks for sharing that. Edit: Quote from article you linked that is relevant: >"...I would recommend daily tooth brushing and flossing, avoiding sugar, and rinsing the mouth with water after each meal. This diet is capable of reversing early stage tooth decay." I'd argue that preventing tooth decay with diet is just as, or more, important as being able to repair decay. Also, CDC or ADA (I can't recall which) said that 80-90% of dental carries (cavities) form in the crowns of teeth, in the grooves. And elsewhere on their site state clearly that tooth brush bristles aren't small enough to even clean out these cracks. This means that brushing and flossing can't help with 80-90% of all tooth decay. Though I think they are still good, they aren't near enough.

__blockcipher__ 9y ago
What about a waterpik? Anecdotally, having used one, I think it’s way more effective than traditional flossing, since it actually can clean the gaps between your teeth (is that what you meant by the grooves?)
- RobertRoberts 9y ago
  >...the gaps between your teeth (is that what you meant by the grooves?) No, the reference to grooves is on the crown of the tooth. (primarily molars) I think the issue with cleaning them out is that once solids get stuck in there and bacteria eat the solids they release acid that eats the tooth. Years ago my dentist filled these grooves with a UV activated plastic sealant. I think this is standard practice now days. Not sure if a waterpik could do it, I've never had one. (If you have had one, has it prevented cavities for you?)
  - thelittleone 9y ago
    The best solution for cleaning those grooves is a dental hygience kit, which you can buy on ebay or amazon for around $10. The same stainless steel tools the dentist uses.
- pbhjpbhj 9y ago
  There were recent reports that studies showed flossing to have basically no statistically significant effect - ie that those who floss have no less tooth decay. Never read any papers on it, just noticed it in passing (maybe on Digg?).