So what is tooth decay?
Tooth decay is the advanced visual symptoms of a bacterial infection called caries. Teeth are coated with an invisible thin film, called “biofilm”. Bacteria live and grow within the biofilm, however when a population shift occurs, where the decay causing acid bacteria overpopulates the biofilm which leads to tooth decay.

I recently had a cavity filled, am I still at risk of tooth decay?
Yes you could still be at risk of tooth decay. Filling the cavity and restoring the form and function of teeth is often required, but this alone does not address the underlying bacterial infection. Visit a dentist who provides “caries risk assessment”, where they evaluate risk factors that contribute to you getting cavities and offers treatment beyond “drilling and filling”.

I regularly brush and floss my teeth, should I be concerned?
Yes you could be at risk of tooth decay. Good oral hygiene habits are an important part of maintaining healthy teeth, however this alone is only one factor in a more complex issue. Simple lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise (hydration and dehydration), mediations, a dryness of the mouth, etc, can place addition pressure driving the bacteria that leads to tooth decay.

Regular bacterial screening tests and assessment of risk factors, is a quick, simple non-invasive way to assess these key underlying factors. Early diagnosis of the bacterial infection the leads to tooth decay enables new corrective treatments beyond “drilling and filling”.

What does a bacterial test involve?
The CariScreen test is quick, simple and painless. A special cotton swab is wiped across your teeth to obtain a biofilm bacterial sample. The swab is placed into the CariScreen hand held meter for testing and just 15 seconds later the test result is displayed. Your dentist can chart the test results making it simple to identify any bacterial shift.

I have not had a cavity for several years!
That's a great achievement that you want to maintain. Risk factors can change many times throughout our lives, so it’s important to maintain regular dental appointments that include caries risk assessment and bacterial screening to monitor any changes. Early diagnosis of the bacterial infection the leads to tooth decay enables new corrective treatments beyond “drilling and filling”.

Should I use a daily mouth rinse?
Using a daily mouth rinse can be beneficial, however selecting the right product can be confusing as products vary considerably. Many mouth rinses contain high amounts of alcohol and are acidic. These can dry your mouth and encourage the harmful acidic bacteria to overpopulate. Rinsing with an alcohol free product, with an elevated alkaline pH, is a positive way to encourage healthy bacteria to flourish.

How does Xylitol help prevent cavities?
Xylitol is a natural sweetener that is commonly found in birch tree sap and is naturally occurring in some fruits and vegetables. Xylitol is a 5-carbon sugar which differs from other sweeteners which have 6-carbon sugar atoms. Xylitol functions differently to other sugars and works to prevent cavities in a number of ways:

Bacteria cannot break down xylitol into acid as they do with all other fermentable sugars (i.e. sucrose, glucose, fructose, dextrose, etc.).

Xylitol and Diabetes?
Xylitol has a lower glycemic index to that of sugar which means it slowly metabolizes and doesn't cause the rapid elevation of glucose blood levels.

Why is pH so important?
pH is a measure of acidity. The lower the pH the more acidic the product is and the higher the pH the more alkaline it is.

The pH scale ranges from 1-14, where:
pH 1 is the most acidic,
pH 14 is the most alkaline,
and pH 7 is neutral, like most water.

For years dentists have focused on the role of sugars as a cause of cavities. It is known that sugar feeds the bacteria that produce acids which in turn causes cavities. This process causes a prolonged low pH acidic environment. Researchers have challenged this theory to find that sugars alone are not the main cause of cavities and in fact that pH and an acid environment are the key factors. Using alkaline pH dental products is a positive way to maintain a healthy oral environment.