I’ve seen countless patients over the years who brushed and flossed religiously—twice a day, never missed a checkup—and still came in with new decay.
That’s because brushing doesn’t fix dietary deficiencies, mouth breathing, a dry mouth, or disrupted oral flora.
Cavities don’t just show up. They form slowly, as your oral environment shifts out of balance—often in mouths that look perfectly clean.
So what do I do personally to stay cavity-free?
Some of these will sound weird or will challenge what you’ve been told. But they all reflect what the science now shows: A healthy mouth isn’t sterile.
1) I drink green tea (link to the one I drink)
Green tea is rich in EGCG, a polyphenol that suppresses harmful oral bacteria and supports beneficial species. In one study, EGCG reduced levels of Streptococcus mutans and acid production in dental plaque within hours of exposure. It may also help maintain a healthier oral pH by supporting saliva production.
Important: make sure that the green tea you drink is tested for pesticides!
2) I don’t rinse after brushing
Nano-hydroxyapatite is a biomimetic form of the same mineral that makes up your enamel. It works by filling in microscopic defects in the tooth surface and binding directly to enamel, helping rebuild and protect it. Rinsing right after brushing washes away this active ingredient—before it can do its job.
What to do instead: Spit. Don’t rinse. Leave nano-Hydroxyapatite toothpaste on your teeth to let the minerals do their work.
3) I chew xylitol gum after meals
Xylitol helps reduce levels of cavity-causing bacteria—especially Streptococcus mutans—and supports a healthier oral microbiome. Chewing it between meals also stimulates saliva, which delivers minerals that remineralize enamel.
Key studies on xylitol and cavity prevention:
PMID: 10096456, PMID: 8281565, PMID: 7486925
4) I brush before breakfast, not after
Brushing after breakfast, when enamel may already be softened by the acid attack of breakfast, causes cavities, gum recession, and sensitivity. Brush before, not after!
5) I salt my water
Trace minerals support saliva quality, which buffers acid and supports remineralization. Low mineral intake = lower pH = higher risk of decay.
Try this: a pinch of microplastic-free salt in your first glass of water.
6) I take cod liver oil
Vitamins A and D are essential for dentin formation and immune resilience. Cod liver oil provides both in a highly absorbable form, and it’s one of the simplest ways I support my teeth and immune system from the inside out.
7) I mouth tape every night before bed—but only after clearing my nose
Mouth tape sounds strange, but it’s one of the simplest, most powerful ways to protect against cavities while you sleep. The goal isn’t to force your mouth shut—it’s to gently encourage nasal breathing with a gentle, easy-to-remove tape (no duct tape, please!)
8) I eat cheese or dark chocolate (85%) for dessert
Cheese isn’t just delicious—it’s protective. Casein and calcium buffer acids and help deposit minerals directly onto enamel. It’s one of the simplest, most satisfying ways to support remineralization after a meal. I also keep 85% dark chocolate on hand—not just because it’s low in sugar, but because it contains theobromine, a compound shown to strengthen enamel and support oral health in similar ways to fluoride.
9) I avoid antiseptic mouthwash
Mouthwash that “kills 99.9%” kills the bacteria you need.
I either oil pull or swish with water, which can neutralize low pH immediately.
10) I don’t give my grandkids pouches
My grandkids are 7 and 4, and they’re always hungry. So before every visit, I make sure the pantry is stocked with foods that protect their teeth—and shape their airway for the long run. Because what you feed kids now matters. It influences how their jaw develops, how they breathe, and whether their teeth have room to come in naturally.
Soft food = weak chewing = narrow jaws = crowded teeth.
Chewing, on the other hand, does real work: it stimulates saliva, strengthens the airway, and expands the palate.
So I give them things to chew. Carrots. Apples. Organ meat sticks. Pouches may be convenient. But mouth breathing, poor sleep, ADHD-like behavior, bedwetting—or needing a CPAP by age 40—aren’t.
Most dentists still treat cavities like isolated defects. Something to drill and fill. But cavities are not just holes. Cavities are signals that your terrain is off. That your saliva isn’t buffering acids. That your airway might be restricted. That the good bacteria meant to protect you have been wiped out.
Brushing harder won’t fix that. What will? A healthier terrain—mineral-rich, well-oxygenated, and microbially diverse.
Support that, and your teeth know exactly what to do.
Forward this to someone with perfect brushing habits—and still getting cavities.
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