Americans are getting more cavities than ever, with 92 percent of the population having some caries in their permanent teeth. As dentists work the recall lists, place restorations and throw pounds upon pounds of prophy paste at the problem, are they missing a simpler solution that gets at the heart of the problem?

Some dental experts argue that despite the advances in composite restorations, the growing practice of placing sealants in deep molar grooves, and using silver diamine fluoride, these are only improved treatments for a problem that ought to be prevented at the outset. Even brushing and flossing are not really preventative measures; rather they are a treatment for the accumulation of biofilms directly stemming from one cause: diet.

It's a tricky subject to broach, as we know how defensive patients can get when their oral hygiene practices are called into question. Questioning eating habits is even more risky, especially since patients don't draw the connection between dentistry and medicine, even though dentists arguably deal with the impact of diet even more than gastroenterologists.

There is no way around it: diet is the number one risk factor for caries and gingivitis, and with the coinciding obesity epidemic, it is no surprise that the American diet is poorer than ever. Even upper-middle-class patients who eat artesian bread, drink cane-sugar sodas and brush frequently are still at greater risk for caries than those who eat a so-called anti-inflammatory diet, with small amounts of whole grains and carbohydrates, lots of vegetables and nutrient-dense protein. Use of unsaturated fats like olive oil and grapeseed oil can reduce inflammation throughout the body, including the gingiva and periodontal margins.

The harmful bacteria that cause caries cannot grow and create the biofilms necessary for the disease's progression if patients simply starve them of the sugary food they feed on. While medicine in general is often focused on treatment rather than prevention, experts argue that it is time to place prevention at the forefront of dentistry, starting with education on the benefits of an anti-inflammatory, anti-cariogenic diet.

Source:
Danenberg, A., DDS. (2016, September 7). Dentistry Is Getting it Wrong. Retrieved September 12, 2016, from http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?Sec=sup

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The information contained in this, or any case study post in Incisor should never be considered a proper replacement for necessary training and/or education regarding adult oral conscious sedation. Regulations regarding sedation vary by state. This is an educational and informational piece. DOCS Education accepts no liability whatsoever for any damages resulting from any direct or indirect recipient's use of or failure to use any of the information contained herein. DOCS Education would be happy to answer any questions or concerns mailed to us at 106 Lenora Street, Seattle, WA 98121. Please print a copy of this posting and include it with your question or request.

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The information contained in this, or any case study post in Incisor, should never be considered a proper replacement for necessary training and/or education regarding adult oral conscious sedation. Regulations regarding sedation vary by state. This is an educational and informational piece. DOCS Education accepts no liability whatsoever for any damages resulting from any direct or indirect recipient's use of or failure to use any of the information contained herein. DOCS Education would be happy to answer any questions or concerns mailed to us at 3250 Airport Way S, Suite 701 | Seattle, WA 98134. Please print a copy of this posting and include it with your question or request.
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