When my three-year-old granddaughter was recognized with a cavity, my first thought wasn’t simply, She wants a filling. It was, How did we get right here?

Fillings occur. Even in households who eat nicely, brush usually, and keep away from soda.

However when a cavity varieties, it’s not simply dangerous luck—it’s an indication that one thing deeper is happening. And if we don’t perceive the foundation trigger, it’s prone to occur once more. So, right here’s what I did…

In her case, the reply grew to become clear: she had spent a number of weeks within the hospital battling a kidney an infection. It was an extremely powerful time for her and her mother and father.

Throughout that interval, she was on IV antibiotics (which disrupt the oral microbiome), consuming largely hospital meals, and—as a result of her favourite animal is the panda—her mother and father indulged her love for Good day Panda crackers, letting her have as many as she wished.

They felt terrible seeing her so sick, and like several mother and father, they only wished to carry her some consolation.

Sadly, that mixture—microbiome disruption, ultra-processed snack meals, and decreased saliva move—set the stage for her cavity.

And right here’s the laborious reality my daughter and son-in-law realized the laborious method:

You Can’t Out-Brush or Out-Floss a Dangerous Food regimen

My daughter did every part “proper” when it got here to brushing and flossing. She was meticulous. And but, her daughter nonetheless ended up with a cavity.

Why? As a result of weight loss program is simply as—if no more—necessary than brushing and flossing.

No quantity of brushing can absolutely shield in opposition to a weight loss program excessive in fermentable carbohydrates like Goldfish, Good day Panda crackers, and saltines—particularly when these meals are eaten all through the day.
These processed snacks break down into sugars that gas acid-producing micro organism, creating the right storm for cavities.

This was an enormous realization for my daughter: oral well being isn’t nearly what you do with a toothbrush and floss—it’s about what you set into your physique.

When my daughter referred to as me to inform me concerning the cavity, she was heartbroken.

“I really feel so ashamed, Dad,” she stated. “I ought to have recognized higher. I grew up in your home. I run Ask the Dentist. How did I let this occur?”

And I get it. No father or mother desires to listen to that their youngster has a cavity. However I instructed her precisely what I wish to let you know:

Cavities are usually not an indication that you just’ve failed as a father or mother.

They’re an indication that one thing is out of stability—and when you establish why it occurred, you possibly can course-correct.

As dentists, we’re taught that cavities are a hygiene downside, however they’re truly a dietary and microbiome imbalance downside.

It’s not nearly brushing and flossing—it’s about what you eat, the way you breathe, and the well being of your oral microbiome.

I used to be lucky to boost three daughters cavity-free, with out fluoride. And I’m extremely happy with that. However I additionally acknowledge that in the present day’s world is totally different.

Mother and father in the present day face extra challenges—processed meals is in every single place, stress ranges are larger, and medicines like antibiotics are extra generally used, usually with unintended unwanted side effects on the microbiome.

So in case your youngster has a cavity, don’t get caught in guilt. As a substitute, take it as a chance to ask the best questions, make changes, and transfer ahead.

After her filling, I put her on this precise protocol to revive her oral microbiome, remineralize her enamel, and ensure she didn’t find yourself again within the dentist’s chair anytime quickly.

1. Checked for Mouth Respiratory & Began Xylitol Nasal Spray
Mouth respiration is among the most ignored causes of cavities as a result of it dries out the mouth, lowering saliva move—the physique’s pure protection in opposition to cavities. If a toddler snores, wakes up with a dry mouth, or is ceaselessly congested, this ought to be addressed first.

Whereas my granddaughter wasn’t a mouth breather, that is one thing I examine in each youngster who will get a cavity. If she had been, I might have:

• Used a xylitol nasal spray (Xlear) to assist clear nasal congestion and promote nasal respiration.
• Made positive she may breathe correctly via her nostril at evening, since mouth respiration throughout sleep creates a really perfect surroundings for cavities to kind.

In case your youngster has cavities regardless of nice brushing habits, examine for mouth respiration!

2. A Magnesium-Wealthy Lemonade Each Day
Magnesium is crucial for robust enamel, however most youngsters (and adults) don’t get sufficient. I began having her mother and father make her a easy lemonade with:

• Filtered water
• A high-quality magnesium complement (that is the one I like to recommend—scroll down and also you’ll see the place it says “raspberry lemonade”)

She loves it—it tastes like a enjoyable deal with, nevertheless it’s truly strengthening her enamel from the within out.

3. Cod Liver Oil for Fats-Soluble Nutritional vitamins (A, D, E, and K2)
Fats-soluble nutritional vitamins—particularly K2—are important for guiding minerals into the enamel the place they belong. I instructed my daughter to offer her:

• A each day teaspoon of high-quality cod liver oil (wealthy in nutritional vitamins A and D)
• Additional K2 in complement kind (since most youngsters don’t get sufficient from weight loss program alone)

4. Oral Probiotics to Restore Her Microbiome
The micro organism in your mouth decide whether or not your enamel keep robust or develop cavities. After a spherical of IV antibiotics, her oral microbiome wanted some assist.

I added:

• An oral probiotic with Streptococcus salivarius like this one (code ATD15 to avoid wasting 15%) to assist repopulate her mouth with helpful micro organism.

Quick-forward to in the present day—my granddaughter is now seven years outdated, thriving, and cavity-free.

Her different smaller cavities have been fully ARRESTED—to the shock of her dentist—by brushing with Fygg varnish each evening.

They’re monitoring it with X-rays, making use of the ALARA precept—preserving publicity as little as doable whereas guaranteeing they’re not lacking something.

She’s nonetheless on her protocol—persevering with with magnesium, cod liver oil, and Xlear nasal spray each evening.

This expertise taught my daughter one thing invaluable—not nearly cavities, however about how you can take management of oral well being from the within out. And now, as a substitute of feeling disgrace, she feels empowered.

Cavities don’t occur in a single day. They’re the results of an imbalance—generally attributable to weight loss program, generally by sickness or medicines, generally by mouth respiration and dry mouth. And whereas fillings are generally vital, they need to all the time include a why.

For my granddaughter, we now know precisely what occurred and how you can stop it from taking place once more. In case your youngster has had a cavity (otherwise you wish to stop one), begin this protocol now. And keep in mind: this can be a shame-free zone. Cavities don’t imply you’ve failed as a father or mother. They simply imply it’s time to make changes.

And if there’s one takeaway from this expertise, it’s this:

You can’t out-brush or out-floss a nasty weight loss program.

To your nice well being,

Mark

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P.S. This text is sponsored by BiOptimizers—my go-to magnesium complement. I like to recommend it to all my sufferers, not only for higher sleep, but additionally for cavity prevention and even reversal. Use code ASKTHEDENTIST for 10% off at checkout.

I usually hear from individuals who say, “Magnesium didn’t work for me,” and my first query is: Have been you getting all seven varieties? Most dietary supplements solely include one or two, however your physique wants all seven for full advantages. If you recognize me, you recognize I’m extraordinarily choosy about dietary supplements. BiOptimizers is among the few manufacturers I belief, due to their rigorous third-party testing and complete formulation.