AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON FREQUENT CAVITIES

Causes of frequent cavities

While these are a good start, Ayurveda suggests we look a little deeper at three underlying causes of tooth decay:

1. Sweet blood. In Ayurveda, the term sweet describes foods that build and nourish tissue including macronutrients such as protein, carbs and fat.

   Unfortunately what builds your tissue is also a favorite of the hungry bacteria that can grow rapidly in your mouth and promote cavities.

   If cavity causing bacteria love your sweet blood, regularly brushing and flossing your teeth, while avoiding candy and sodas, will not be enough to prevent tooth decay.

   You will also need to adjust your diet to make your blood less sweet and less attractive to these bacteria. And this goes beyond avoiding candy and sodas.

2. Acidic foods. Eating excess acidic foods (and/or having your teeth in contact with acidic fluids such as vomit or acid reflux) can wear down your teeth.
3. Toxins. Toxins (ama) have an acidifying effect on the blood which leaches minerals. Toxins also create a ripe environment for bacteria to grow.

How to prevent frequent cavities

Check out this article for a comprehensive list of sweet promoting foods. Especially avoid these sweet foods:

• Dried fruits--especially mango which can stick to the teeth.
• Soda
• Fruit juices
• Grains (have phytochemicals that leech minerals from bones). You can reduce phytic acids in grains by soaking and slightly fermenting them before cooking.
• Oranges & Orange juice--Oranges are both sweet and acidic and can quickly create cavities. "Love of oranges caused my otherwise healthy daughter to develop a large cavity in a few short months." Always floss immediately after eating an orange. If a piece of acidic pulp becomes lodged between teeth the citric acid can quickly erode enamel.

You may also need to reduce your intake of acidic foods and contact with acidic fluids.

Some examples of acidic foods to avoid include:

• Lemons
• Limes
• Orange juice
• Coffee and caffeinated teas
• Wine

• Drinking bone broth to alkalize your blood and help re-mineralize your teeth.
• Practicing oil pulling to help reduce the amount of cavity causing bacteria in your mouth.
• Flossing after meals, especially if your teeth are close together or you often find food stuck between them. Swish water in your mouth after flossing.
• Brushing your teeth in the morning as well as at night.

  Saliva is essential for cavity prevention. However, your mouth tends to dry out as you sleep, leaving teeth vulnerable to decay. Brushing in the morning will help remove bacteria buildup over the night.

  You can also stimulate saliva production by sipping ginger tea first thing in the morning.

• Consulting an Ayurvedic practitioner to help you assess the sweetness of your blood and suggest a diet that supports your dental health.