There have been numerous theories about what actually causes teeth to become decayed. Generally it is agreed that bacteria attach themselves to teeth in the plaque which forms on them from the food we eat. A by-product of the germs which live on teeth is their production of an acid which eats away tooth enamel.

The question is: Why do some people's teeth develop dental caries and others do not? Most individuals know that diet has something to do with it - and certainly sugar has - but why caries take place remains somewhat mysterious. It is also common knowledge tooth decay and the bacteria which accompany it are the forerunners of infection of the tooth's nerve and pulp and the need for root canal treatment.

Dr. Weston Price conducted thousands of experiments to determine the reasons why teeth become carious. Dentists will find that Dr. Price's deductions correspond with current beliefs -but his research brings surprising new insights into the process of tooth decay.

Important basic factors which would have greatly advanced the course of dentistry were buried right along with Price's root canal infection information because of disputes which existed at the medicine and dentistry about the focal infection theory.

Dr.Price made thousands of studies of patients' blood in looking for the true causes of oral diseases. The first key issue he found concerning dental infections was the changing of the acid- base balance of the body from its normal slightly alkaline status to one which was acid.

Studies later by Harold Fl Hawkins, D.D.S. showed the saliva of people who were free of tooth decay was on the alkaline side and those who suffered dental caries had saliva which was decidedly acid. In his book, Applied Nutrition, Dr. Hawkins points out that acidity of the saliva results when the diet contains white bread, cereals,cookies,cake,sugar,and similar refined food.

Starchy grain foods and sweets from sticky plaque on the surface of teeth we find so difficult to remove during tooth brushing. This plaque is an ideal food source and home for bacteria which live in our mouths. Their acid by-product etches the enamel and starts the decay process.

The two most fundamental factors in all of life's processes,Price felt, were the changes which take place in the acid-base balance of people who have tooth decay and other dental infections and, secondly,the effect dental infections have on the ionic calcium level of the blood. People who had root canal fillings and those who experienced tooth decay were found to have low amounts of calcium. Both Price and Hawkins independently discovered that those people with normal to high levels of calcium in the blood and saliva enjoyed freedom from dental caries.

The advent of the use of fluorine in water supplies,toothpastes, etc.,has, to a great extent,led the public to feel that nutritional factors have been over-emphasized and are of little importance. A quick summary of the chemistry involved with the presence of fluorine in teeth will show fluorine use isn't all it is cracked up to be.

Copyright (c) 2007 Sung Lee, and George Meinig D.D.S