You found out you have several cavities and either can’t afford treatment or are scared of a dentist’s drill.
A diet cure for cavities is something that you might then start wondering about: Can a particular diet actually get rid of cavities?
“Unfortunately, cavities cannot be cured by diet,” says Marco L. Tironi, DDS, who practices dentistry in Rochester, MI.
Prevention of Cavities Involves Diet
“However, eating healthy, regularly visiting your dentist and brushing/flossing at least 2x daily can help reduce the likelihood of cavities,” says Dr. Tironi.
“For cavities to form, there are four components that need to be present: bacteria, teeth, time and food.
“Cavities are mainly caused by a bacterium called Strep. mutans. Most people acquire this bacteria at a very young age.
“Once the bacteria lives in your mouth, it feeds on the food you eat. The bacteria actually produce acid which in turn causes tooth decay (or cavities).”
Some Highly Acidic Foods
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• Heavily processed goods (frozen dinners or breakfasts, boxed convenience foods like Hamburger Helper, baked goods)
• Sugary foods (candy, soda, desserts)
• Processed but also fresh meats
• Grains
You don’t have to give up fresh meats or whole grains to help guard against tooth decay.
But certainly, you can put restrictions on processed and sugary foods.
“Reducing the amount of sugars or acidic foods in your diet can help reduce the likelihood of forming cavities,” says Dr. Tironi.
“Furthermore, brushing/flossing at least 2x daily (especially after you eat) will also help reduce the amount of time the bacteria are sitting on your teeth as well as the acidity level in your mouth.”
Tip on Flossing
Don’t floss at the meal table in the presence of others. Of course, people don’t have to watch you.
BUT … there’s always a high possibility that the particles between your teeth, as you floss, will get flicked across the table towards someone – and they may see this happening without having to watch you.
They will also KNOW this can happen, and this knowledge is not good for the soul.
A member of the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Tironi is trained in sedation dentistry, dental implantology, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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