My granddaughter acquired a cavity—right here’s the precise protocol I put her on

When my three-year-old granddaughter was identified 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 often, and keep away from soda.

However when a cavity varieties, it’s not simply unhealthy luck—it’s an indication that one thing deeper is happening. And if we don’t perceive the foundation trigger, it’s more likely 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 robust 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 Howdy Panda crackers, letting her have as many as she needed.

They felt terrible seeing her so sick, and like all mother and father, they only needed to convey her some consolation.

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

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

You Can’t Out-Brush or Out-Floss a Dangerous Weight-reduction plan

My daughter did all the things “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 eating regimen is simply as—if no more—essential than brushing and flossing.

No quantity of brushing can absolutely defend towards a eating regimen excessive in fermentable carbohydrates like Goldfish, Howdy 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 place into your physique.

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

“I really feel so ashamed, Dad,” she mentioned. “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 mother or father desires to listen to that their youngster has a cavity. However I informed her precisely what I need to inform you:

Cavities aren’t an indication that you just’ve failed as a mother or father.

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

As dentists, we’re taught that cavities are a hygiene downside, however they’re really 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 lift three daughters cavity-free, with out fluoride. And I’m extremely pleased with that. However I additionally acknowledge that at present’s world is completely different.

Dad and mom at present face extra challenges—processed meals is all over the place, stress ranges are increased, and drugs like antibiotics are extra generally used, usually with unintended unwanted 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 appropriate questions, make changes, and transfer ahead.

After her filling, I put her on this actual 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 Respiration & Began Xylitol Nasal Spray
Mouth respiratory is among the most neglected causes of cavities as a result of it dries out the mouth, lowering saliva circulate—the physique’s pure protection towards cavities. If a toddler snores, wakes up with a dry mouth, or is often congested, this needs to be addressed first.

Whereas my granddaughter wasn’t a mouth breather, that is one thing I verify 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 respiratory.
• Made positive she might breathe correctly by means of her nostril at night time, since mouth respiratory throughout sleep creates a great setting for cavities to kind.

In case your youngster has cavities regardless of nice brushing habits, verify for mouth respiratory!

2. A Magnesium-Wealthy Lemonade Each Day
Magnesium is essential for sturdy enamel, however most children (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 really 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 informed my daughter to present her:

• A each day teaspoon of high-quality cod liver oil (wealthy in nutritional vitamins A and D)
• Further K2 in complement kind (since most children don’t get sufficient from eating regimen alone)

4. Oral Probiotics to Restore Her Microbiome
The micro organism in your mouth decide whether or not your enamel keep sturdy 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 save lots of 15%) to assist repopulate her mouth with useful micro organism.

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

Her different smaller cavities had been utterly ARRESTED—to the shock of her dentist—by brushing with Fygg varnish each night time.

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

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

This expertise taught my daughter one thing invaluable—not nearly cavities, however about learn how to 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 eating regimen, generally by sickness or drugs, generally by mouth respiratory 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 learn how to forestall it from taking place once more. In case your youngster has had a cavity (otherwise you need to forestall one), begin this protocol now. And bear in mind: it is a shame-free zone. Cavities don’t imply you’ve failed as a mother or father. They simply imply it’s time to make changes.

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

You can not out-brush or out-floss a foul eating regimen.

To your nice well being,

Mark

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P.S. This article is sponsored by BiOptimizers—my go-to magnesium complement. I like to recommend it to all my sufferers, not only for higher sleep, but in addition 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 me, 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.