Dr. John Sorrentino D.M.D

Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

1009 New York 82 Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
845 226 4100
845 226 3897

How to Eliminate Tooth Decay

As a practicing dentist for over 20 years now I have had many experiences and want to share with you some of my cases as well as some of the ideas I have about how to better treat dental diseases. If you click on my dental disease link you will read a one-page summary of what the dental diseases are.  I made it short and easy to understand.  Although dentists today do much more, there are basically only three diseases that we treat, tooth decay (scientifically called “caries”,) periodontal (“gum”) disease, and finally malocclusions or crooked and overlapped teeth.

 

As in all other medical, as well as scientific fields, for that matter, technology and innovation has led to changes in the way we do things.  The dentistry I practice today is different than what I was taught in dental school.  With the development of such devises as the diagnostic laser, or Diagnodent, we are able to diagnose decay with more certitude and earlier.  Oral cancer detection systems such as the Velscope, did not exist ten years ago. Dental restorations have become smaller and more life-like.  For example, I have not placed a “silver filling” in a tooth in over 10 years now.

 

The basis for the word “doctor” comes from a Latin word that means “teacher.”  This also requires one to commit to lifetime learning.  My advice is to find a dentist (or physician for that matter) for yourself who is willing to make such a commitment.  You see, such an individual will not be tied to conventional dogma or refuse to try new approaches to an old problem.  You owe it to yourself to find such a person.

 

In this first blog I want to explain a little bit about tooth decay and how what I have recently learned can benefit everyone who has ever had a cavity because it is my goal to see tooth decay, which is the most common disease affecting humans, to become a thing of the past.

 

For the past year, I have been following a Paleolithic, or low carbohydrate diet.  In doing this, I have lost about 30 pounds and lowered my risks for such things as diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and autoimmune diseases.  Early in my journey I read a few books.  Both of Gary TaubesGood Calories, Bad Calories and Rob Wolf’s The Paleo Solution were on this list. I was struck by two things in The Paleo Solution. First, it occurred to me that I treat a disease exclusively caused by carbohydrate consumption, nothing else.  Dental decay did not occur in our Paleolithic ancestors and can truly be counted among what is termed, “Diseases of Civilization.”  The second was a line that kept echoing in my head.  Robb Wolf wrote, “Because something is common does not make it normal.”  We are not designed to get tooth decay and while I see it, I should stop considering it a normal occurrence. It is and will always be pathology.

 

I can treat it but I cannot cure it, no dentist can.  I can however offer you a vaccine against ever getting tooth decay.  Read further, I will explain.

toothdecay

Sometime in your first year of dental school they show every new student a Venn diagram that looks something like this:

 

 

The three determinants of tooth decay are the presence of teeth, (full denture patients do not get tooth decay) plaque forming bacteria, termed Streptococcus mutans in this diagram, and fermentable carbohydrates.  Like a three-legged stool, remove one leg and YOU WILL NEVER GET TOOTH DECAY, regardless of what ever else you do.  For example, if you get germ-free (scientifically termed gnotobiotic) rats and feed them a diet of pure sugar, they will never get cavities.  There are no bacteria there to form the plaque and start the destructive cascade, period.  Most dentists, myself included, wanted our patients to practice good home care to remove the bacterial plaque as well as use things like fluoride to strengthen the teeth.  We have been doing it wrong!  It occurred to me that night that if we wanted to lose weight by minimizing carbohydrate consumption because carbohydrates are NOT AN OBLIGATE NUTRIENT for humans, then we can eliminate tooth decay the same way.  It is not that this is not taught, it is just not reinforced, say it ten times loud, CARBOHYDRATES ARE NOT AN OBLIGATE NUTRIENT AND I WILL LIVE JUST FINE WITHOUT THEM!!!!!!!!!  It really is that simple, remove (or minimize them in your diet) and you will inoculate yourself from ever having tooth decay

 

The benefits of eating low carbohydrates have many advantages in addition to weight loss.  Nature’s plan calls for Homo sapiens to be thin, strong, fast, and without tooth decay.  This is how you do it.   I still want you to practice good home care and strengthen your teeth.  Now we have other ways to do it.  I hope you join me as we explore this topic in more depth as well as other things in the world of dentistry.

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11 comments on “How to Eliminate Tooth Decay”

  1. I just went to the dentist today, and you wouldn't believe how quick the cleaning was this time! The hygienist said everything looks wonderful and I could wait for X-rays and exam until the next cleaning. I've been eating low-carb for 2 years now and definitely notice my mouth being healthier. I never have bad breath like I used to. I'm 42 and have a perfect set of white, straight teeth and healthy gums. Prior to low carb, I had minor issues, but nothing anymore. Im definitely convinced it helps my mouth health.

  2. I love how you incorporate diet into dental health because many people don't think it's related. I love all your advice and will be reading on

  3. @Katie Low carb works just about every time it is tried! I have notices similar changes myself.
    @Deb, Thanks! Everything you eat goes thru your mouth. It seems too many people forget that they are connected!

  4. Nice post. I've watched my tarter diminish as well with a lowish carb primal diet. My waistline too. I'd love to hear more about oral microbiology and the role of oral bacteria

  5. Hi, Dr. Sorrentino. I heard about you at Jimmy Moore's podcast and am glad to see you writing about these important topics. If you're not familiar with it, you may want to peruse an article that reviews the role of carbohydrates and teeth in chronic disease: Hujoel, P. Dietary carbohydrates and dental-systemic diseases. Journal of Dental Research, 88 (2009): 490-502. It's right up your alley. -Steve

  6. I heard your Podcast with Jimmy Moore and I would love to know your opinion on if sealants interfere with the natural fluid flow. Would they negatively impact tooth growth and development? Do you recommend them for your pediatric patients?

  7. @Laura, That is an interesting thought. I have not seen any research on that. I would speculate that it will not be much of a problem at all as the sealant takes up a very small amount of surface area and we are seeing a significant reduction in caries when they are placed. I do have some other concerns, though. One of the components of sealant material is BPA. Is the amount significant? I am not sure. I do not advocate placing them on people who are not at risk of pit and fissure caries. Unfortunately most kids I see are.

  8. Doctor, what about the gum disease? Is that at all related to the consumption of carbohydrates? How readily is that disease avoidable through diet?

  9. @Robert, great question. The answer boils down to inflammation. If you don’t clean your teeth, food particles will get stuck between your teeth, inflame your gums and the process starts. Carbohydrates make it much worse because the set of bacteria that feed off the carbs can do a lot of gum damage. I will have more to say on this in April 2012, I am attending a meeting at the end of March on this very subject. I have read some scientific papers and it appears that unlike decay, periodontitis was not unknown among Paleolithic humans populations. So in short, keep the inflammation down 3 ways, brush, floss, low carb. They are all part of the equation.

  10. doctor (n.) c.1300, "Church father," from O.Fr. doctour, from M.L. doctor "religious teacher, adviser, scholar," in classical L. "teacher," agent noun from docere "to show, teach, cause to know," originally "make to appear right," causative of decere "be seemly, fitting" (see decent). Meaning "holder of highest degree in university" is first found late 14c.; as is that of "medical professional" (replacing native leech (2)), though this was not common till late 16c. "

Dr. John Sorrentino D.M.D

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