Decay

Remineralizing Early Cavities with Curodont

Traditional dental fillings, while commonly used to treat cavities, come with several downsides. Every time a tooth is drilled, there is a risk of impacting the nerve, which can lead to discomfort, sensitivity, or even the need for more invasive procedures down the line. Additionally, fillings have an average life expectancy of just 7 to 10 years, meaning patients often find themselves returning to the dentist for replacements or repairs, resulting in more tooth structure being removed and a high risk of impacting the nerve of the tooth. Once you have a tooth drilled and filled, you are “married to the dentist,” as continued maintenance and future replacement treatments become necessary.

However, there is hope for those dealing with early-stage cavities that can prevent the need for drilling and filling altogether. Innovative treatments like Curodont offer a non-invasive, peptide-based solution for remineralizing enamel and reversing early decay, providing a way to maintain dental health without the hassle and risks associated with traditional fillings.

Understanding Early Decay

Cavities start with a process known as demineralization, where acids in the mouth attack the minerals in the tooth’s enamel. This demineralization can occur beneath the surface layer, making early detection challenging. However, when caught early, these lesions can be effectively managed to prevent further damage and avoid more aggressive procedures often associated with advanced cavities.

How Curodont Works

Curodont is a peptide treatment designed specifically to combat early decay lesions without invasive procedures. Here’s how it works:

  1. Clean the Tooth with Acid Etch: A dental professional begins by cleaning the affected tooth using an acid etch process to prepare the surface for treatment. Please note that this acid etch can have a sour taste that some children may not like.
  2. Application: Curodont is applied directly onto the cleaned surface of the affected area. This quick application process takes about five minutes.
  1. Drying Requirement: To ensure the effectiveness of the treatment, it is crucial to keep the tooth dry during this five-minute application period.
  2. Diffusion: Once applied, the peptide formula penetrates the lesion, actively targeting the areas affected by early decay.
  3. Remineralization: Over several weeks, Curodont facilitates the movement of essential minerals, including calcium and phosphate from saliva, back into the enamel. This helps to remineralize and strengthen the enamel, effectively repairing early damage.
  4. Post-Treatment Evaluation: After six months post-treatment, the dental professional will take an X-ray to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. Based on this evaluation, a second application of Curodont may be indicated, or it may be determined that a traditional filling is necessary.

 

At Home Recommendations

To support this remineralization process, we recommend that patients use a HydroFloss with a pinch of baking soda after breakfast and before bed, followed by brushing with a 10% nanohydroxyapatite toothpaste for three minutes. After brushing, spit out the toothpaste and avoid rinsing the mouth to allow for maximum remineralization.

Advantages of Curodont

  1. Pain-Free Treatment: This innovative peptide treatment requires no injections or drilling, making it a comfortable option for patients.
  1. Quick Application: The application process is efficient and easy, allowing patients to receive effective care during routine dental visits. It takes about 10 minutes to complete start to finish.
  2. High Success Rate: With a 95% success rate, Curodont provides a reliable option for preventing the progression of early-stage cavities.

Disadvantages of Curodont

While Curodont is available without fluoride in Europe, patients in the USA can only access the version containing fluoride, so Curodont is NOT a fluoride free product! Such a bummer! Curodont product sold in the USA have about 1/3 the amount of fluoride that is in an off the shelf fluoride toothpaste. And while we do not support the use of fluoride toothpaste and recommend patients filter it out of their water, we do feel that the small amount of fluoride in Curodont is seen as a reasonable trade-off for the significant benefits of avoiding invasive restoration procedures. However, it is important that our patients are aware of this, since we want to remain transparent and want you to be able to make the best informed decision for your health.

Who is a Candidate?

This treatment is appropriate for patients of any age, as long as it is possible to keep the tooth dry during application. It can be difficult to achieve this with a wiggly child.

Addressing the Root Causes of Cavities

While Curodont is a great way to remineralize teeth, it is important to understand that decay in the mouth often indicates an imbalance in pH. This imbalance can be linked to various factors such as mouth breathing, gut issues, oral microbiome imbalances, oral hygiene techniques, or a lack of minerals in saliva. For the best long-lasting results, it is essential to identify and treat the root causes of why you have cavities in the first place.

To learn if you are a candidate for Curodont, make an appointment with one of our doctors.

What’s the Deal with Cavities?

Did you know that a 2016 study revealed that 90% of adults in the U.S. have experienced at least one cavity? This is concerning, especially when we view cavities as a symptom of a deeper imbalance in the body. To truly understand cavities, we need to look beyond the surface and consider both the structure of our teeth and the environment in which they exist.

Teeth are composed of minerals arranged in a crystal structure, functioning as a “storage” area for minerals, much like our bones. The body cleverly stores nutrients in various places, and when there’s a deficiency, it pulls from these reserves. For example, when the body needs energy during a fast, it taps into stored fat. Similarly, when the body is lacking minerals, it can draw them from our teeth. So, how can we protect our teeth from losing these minerals?

Many patients find frustration with traditional dentistry because it often overlooks the underlying causes of cavities and it feels like a never-ending battle. It’s not just about bad bacteria, poor oral hygiene, or using fluoride toothpaste. If fluoride were the ultimate solution, wouldn’t we be free of cavities by now? After all, it’s present in our water, food, toothpaste, and rinses. The truth is, there’s no such thing as a fluoride deficiency. Fluoride doesn’t occur naturally in the body, nor do we require it for any biological function.

Bacteria:

We know that Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus are the primary bacteria responsible for cavities. A baby is born with a sterile mouth, so in order to acquire these “cavity-causing bacteria,” they must be passed from someone else. This typically happens through saliva exchange—like sharing utensils, kissing, or drinking from the same cup. But why do some people with these bacteria still manage to avoid cavities? And how can we eliminate these harmful bacteria?

Our mouths are like ecosystems, home to hundreds of species of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and more. Similar to the gut, there are beneficial bacteria that promote health and harmful ones that cause problems. If you introduce harmful bacteria into a mouth with a healthy ecosystem, the environment naturally favors the good bacteria, preventing the bad from thriving.

There are several methods to reduce harmful bacteria, but Listerine isn’t one of them. While harsh rinses like bleach may kill the bad bacteria temporarily, unless you create a long-term healthy environment in the mouth, the harmful bacteria will just return. The real solution lies in focusing on building and maintaining a balanced oral environment that supports the natural defenses of the teeth. So how can we achieve this?

Acid is the Real Enemy:

Acidic environments have a significant impact on the oral microbiome, which is the complex community of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live in our mouths. When the pH in the mouth drops below neutral (pH 7), it creates a more favorable environment for acid-producing bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus, to thrive. These bacteria feed on sugars from food and beverages, producing acids as a byproduct. The more acidic the environment becomes, the more these harmful bacteria dominate, outcompeting the beneficial bacteria that help maintain a balanced ecosystem.

As acid levels rise, the enamel on our teeth starts to demineralize, beginning at a pH of 5.5, while the softer, more porous dentin underneath starts dissolving at an even higher pH of 6.5. This demineralization weakens the tooth structure, making it more susceptible to decay and cavities. Over time, the acidic environment encourages the growth of cavity-causing bacteria, further disrupting the balance of the oral microbiome.

A healthy oral microbiome, on the other hand, is more neutral in pH and supports a diverse population of bacteria that help protect the teeth and gums. When the pH stays balanced, beneficial bacteria can keep harmful, acid-producing bacteria in check, reducing the risk of cavities and other oral health issues. Therefore, maintaining a neutral pH in the mouth is crucial for preserving a healthy oral environment and preventing the acid from tipping the balance in favor of harmful bacteria.

The Power of Saliva

Saliva is one of the body’s most important natural defenses for protecting the teeth. It does much more than just keep the mouth moist; it plays several key roles in maintaining oral health:

  1. Buffering Acids: Saliva helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria after eating or drinking. By raising the pH level in the mouth, saliva reduces the time that teeth are exposed to harmful acid, which prevents enamel erosion and tooth decay. The enzymes and bicarbonates in saliva act as natural buffers, quickly bringing the mouth back to a neutral pH after acid exposure.
  2. Remineralization: Saliva is rich in essential minerals like calcium, phosphate, and fluoride (if present), which are necessary for the remineralization of teeth. When enamel begins to demineralize due to acid, saliva deposits these minerals back into the tooth structure, helping to repair early signs of decay and prevent cavities from forming.
  1. Antimicrobial Action: Saliva contains proteins, enzymes, and antibodies that help control bacterial populations in the mouth. It naturally fights off harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses, reducing the risk of infections, cavities, and gum disease.
  2. Washing Away Debris: Saliva acts like a natural rinse, washing away food particles, sugars, and bacteria from the teeth and gums. This helps prevent plaque buildup, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease. It also dilutes and washes away sugars, which bacteria use to produce acid.
  3. Lubrication: By coating the teeth and soft tissues, saliva provides a protective barrier that reduces friction and irritation during chewing and speaking. This protective layer helps prevent mechanical wear on the teeth and promotes comfort in the mouth.
  4. Facilitating Digestion: Saliva contains enzymes like amylase that begin the process of breaking down food. This reduces the amount of sugar and starch left in the mouth for bacteria to feed on, further reducing acid production and lowering the risk of decay.

Without sufficient quality and quantity of saliva, the mouth loses these protective functions, leading to a higher risk of cavities, tooth erosion, and gum disease. This makes maintaining good saliva production crucial for oral health.

What Causes Acidity/Higher Decay Rate in the Mouth?

1: Eating too often– Nearly all the foods we eat have some level of acidity, and when we consume them, the pH in our mouth drops. In response, saliva is produced to help neutralize the acid and bring the pH back to a neutral level, ideally around 7. Saliva plays a crucial role in this process by not only buffering the acid but also delivering essential minerals like calcium and phosphate, which help to remineralize and strengthen tooth enamel after it’s been exposed to acids.

However, when someone frequently snacks throughout the day, their saliva doesn’t get enough time to fully restore the mouth’s pH. This keeps the teeth in a prolonged acidic environment, preventing the essential remineralization process from occurring. Over time, the constant exposure to acid pulls minerals out of the enamel, weakening the teeth and increasing the likelihood of cavities. Frequent snacking, especially on acidic or sugary foods, also fuels the growth of harmful bacteria, further contributing to an environment that promotes tooth decay. Allowing time between meals gives saliva a chance to naturally protect the teeth and maintain a balanced pH in the mouth.

When foods are metabolized they either create acid or base.  Eating a diet rich in foods that promote basic pH in body will help reduce acid systemically and in saliva.

  1. The Foods we Eat- The food we eat plays a critical role in cavity risk, particularly when it comes to sugary, sticky, and starchy foods, which includes all carbohydrates. When we consume any type of carbohydrate—whether it’s candy, bread, pasta, or sugary drinks—these foods are broken down into sugars in the mouth. Harmful bacteria feed on these sugars and produce acids that lower the pH, leading to enamel demineralization and the development of cavities. Sticky foods, such as candies and dried fruits, are particularly harmful because they adhere to the teeth, allowing acids to be produced for longer periods.

To counterbalance this, it’s important to focus on nutrient-dense foods, especially those rich in fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These nutrients support enamel strength by aiding in remineralization and protecting against decay. Fat-soluble vitamins are particularly important for the absorption of essential minerals that fortify teeth. Prioritizing whole foods such as vegetables, dairy, and nutrient-rich fats while limiting starchy, sugary, processed and sticky carbohydrates can help maintain a healthier oral environment and significantly reduce cavity risk.

  1. Poor Saliva Quantity/Dry Mouth- Dry mouth is another HUGE contributor towards cavities. If you have no saliva, you have no protection and natural buffer against acid. Dry mouth can be caused by SEVERAL medications and is detrimental to teeth health. Mouth breathing or a mouth that is open during the day and night is A MAJOR RED FLAG for cavities and will dry the mouth out and decrease the amount of contact saliva have with the teeth.
  2. Silent Acid Reflux- Silent acid reflux, also known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), can contribute to cavities by exposing teeth to stomach acid without the usual symptoms of heartburn. This condition often occurs due to breathing issues at night, such as mouth breathing or sleep apnea, where acid from the stomach travels up the esophagus and into the throat, sometimes reaching the mouth. The acid lowers the pH in the mouth, creating an acidic environment that weakens enamel and increases the risk of tooth decay. Repeated exposure to this acid, especially during sleep when saliva production is reduced, can erode the enamel and make cavities more likely. Because silent reflux doesn’t always cause obvious symptoms, like heartburn, people may not realize the damage being done to their teeth until it becomes a significant issue. Addressing nighttime breathing problems and managing reflux are crucial for protecting oral health.
  3. Plaque/ Oral Bacteria- The oral microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health, much like the gut microbiome is essential for overall well-being. The mouth hosts a diverse community of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms—both beneficial and harmful. A healthy balance of these microorganisms is key to protecting teeth and gums. Just as the gut microbiome aids digestion and immunity, the oral microbiome helps regulate pH levels, prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, and support the body’s natural defense mechanisms.

However, when harmful bacteria that cause cavities dominate the oral microbiome, they produce acid and plaque, disrupting this balance. If this plaque isn’t removed regularly through proper brushing and flossing techniques, it will accumulate on the teeth. When left sitting on the enamel, plaque provides a protective environment for bacteria to thrive, continuously producing acids that erode enamel and lead to decay. Over time, this buildup can harden into tartar, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Maintaining a balanced oral microbiome and consistently removing plaque is essential to preventing decay and preserving overall oral health, just as a healthy gut microbiome supports digestion and immunity.

  1. Mineral/Vitamins and Nutrition: Magnesium, Phosphorus, and calcium are the big players when it comes to remineralization. Magnesium and potassium prevent acidity in the blood ( and probably saliva too). Vitamin K2 is also essential in teeth remineralization. Diets that are high in grains and processed sugars are generally lacking in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.   Weston A. Price’s research found that diets low in fat are also low in fat soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K), which are needed to facilitate minerals absorption into teeth.
  2. Mouth rinses– did you know that Listerine has a pH of 4.5??!!!! This is CRAZY!!!! Remember that teeth start to dissolve at pH 5.5 (enamel) and 6.5 (dentin/under enamel layer). So Listerine basically pulls mineral out of your teeth and does a horrible job killing bad bacteria.  Any rinse that you buy off the counter, will most likely be acidic.
  3. Stress- Stress increases the risk of tooth decay by reducing saliva flow, leading to dry mouth and weakening the mouth’s natural defense against acids. Chronic stress also depletes essential minerals like magnesium, which are vital for maintaining strong teeth and enamel. This mineral depletion makes teeth more susceptible to decay, as they lose the protective benefits needed to resist bacterial attacks. Managing stress and supporting mineral balance can help protect oral health.
  4. Systemic Health/Gut Health- Treating conditions like diabetes, acid reflux, and autoimmune diseases (celiac disease, etc) with a naturopath or functional medicine doctor can reduce cavity risk by addressing root causes. These approaches focus on restoring balance through nutrition, lifestyle changes, and natural therapies. Managing blood sugar levels, healing the gut to reduce acid reflux, and supporting the immune system can improve oral health, decrease bacterial growth, and protect enamel. By treating these conditions holistically, patients can lower their risk of tooth decay and enhance overall health.
  5. Insulin resistance– can increase the risk of tooth decay. Insulin resistance is often associated with higher blood sugar levels, which can lead to an increased amount of sugar in the saliva. This provides fuel for harmful bacteria in the mouth, promoting acid production that erodes enamel and leads to cavities. Additionally, insulin resistance can contribute to inflammation and reduced immune function, making it harder for the body to fight off oral infections and bacterial growth, further increasing the risk of decay. Managing insulin resistance through diet and lifestyle changes can help reduce these risks and support better oral health.
  6. Heavy metals– Heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, can indirectly contribute to tooth decay by weakening the immune system, disrupting mineral absorption, and impairing oral tissues and salivary function. These metals may also lead to an imbalance in the oral microbiome, allowing decay-causing bacteria to thrive. Reduced saliva flow and poor enamel mineralization due to heavy metal exposure can increase the risk of cavities. Addressing detoxification and improving nutrition can help mitigate these effects.

The Problem with Traditional Methods

Drilling and filling teeth without addressing the root cause of disease is merely a bandaid solution that doesn’t fix the underlying problem. Many dental issues are signs of deeper, systemic imbalances in the body, such as nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, gut health, or chronic inflammation. Without addressing these underlying factors, the cycle of tooth decay will continue, no matter how many times a filling is replaced. This approach treats the symptom, not the disease, which means the patient is locked into a cycle of constant repairs. Fillings are not permanent solutions; they break down over time and will need to be replaced, often leading to more extensive work like crowns, root canals, or even tooth extractions as the tooth weakens further with each intervention.

Traditional dental techniques, such as fillings and crowns, often have significant drawbacks. They usually involve removing more healthy tooth structure and using improper bonding methods, which weaken the tooth over time. As a result, these restorations are prone to cracks, debonding, and wear, eventually needing replacement. Each time a filling is replaced, it becomes larger, further compromising the tooth and leading to a cycle of continuous repairs—known as the “Tooth Cycle of Death.”

Biomimetic dentistry, however, takes a different approach. Rather than weakening the tooth, it uses materials and methods that mimic the natural structure and strength of the tooth, restoring it to function as it originally did. These restorations bond to the tooth in a way that evenly distributes stress, similar to natural enamel and dentin, which reduces the risk of cracks and future repairs.

By using biomimetic techniques, restorations last longer and minimize the need for invasive procedures, protecting the tooth from further damage. Unlike traditional methods that often trap patients in a cycle of repair, biomimetic dentistry offers a long-term solution that preserves the tooth’s strength and health.

Prevention is the key—catching issues early and avoiding drilling whenever possible is ideal. But if a filling is necessary, ensuring that your dentist uses biomimetic techniques is crucial for the long-term health of your tooth. Biomimetic restorations preserve the tooth’s natural structure and strength, ensuring it remains functional and resilient for years to come, whereas traditional fillings only provide temporary fixes that often lead to further damage.

By combining a focus on systemic health and prevention with the advanced techniques of biomimetic dentistry, patients can avoid the endless cycle of dental work. Our holistic approach, which incorporates understanding systemic risk factors such as diet, lifestyle, and overall body health, is critical for long-term dental health. Treating the root cause of decay plus using advanced biomimetic techniques when the need for a filling or restorative work is indicated, allows us to treat decay in a very comprehensive way which is unique to our practice at Green City Dental.

 

Supportive Therapies Offered at GCD

 

Frequent Hygiene visits and Check Ups: It’s important to keep regular cleaning appointments so we can closely monitor your oral health and ensure your mouth stays healthy. By catching cavities and other issues early, we can take a minimally invasive approach and even help re-mineralize your teeth, avoiding the need for traditional drilling and filling. During these visits, we use a combination of methods, including X-rays and radiation-free techniques, to detect cavities. We also check for cavity-causing bacteria and work to keep your oral microbiome in balance, which is essential for maintaining overall dental and systemic health.

Disclosing Solution for Proper Plaque Removal: Our hygienists use disclosing tablets to show you areas where plaque is being missed, helping you improve your brushing technique. Removing plaque is essential for allowing products like toothpaste to reach your teeth and for saliva to deliver minerals that strengthen enamel. We may also recommend using disclosing tablets at home to ensure you’re effectively removing plaque between visits and maintaining optimal oral health.

Nanohydroxyappetite Varnish- Nanohydroxyapatite varnish is a cutting-edge treatment designed to reduce decay risk by reinforcing tooth enamel. Made of tiny particles that mimic the natural structure of enamel, nanohydroxyapatite effectively fills in microscopic defects, making the enamel more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and food. By strengthening the outer layer of teeth, this varnish not only protects against decay but also aids in remineralizing early-stage cavities, providing a non-toxic, fluoride-free alternative that supports long-term oral health.

Curodont Remineralizing Treatment: For early detected areas of concern, we have Curodont, which is peptide treatment that helps rebuild enamel. The procedure takes 10 minutes to do and requires no anesthetic. It is an excellent option for smaller cavities.

Ozone trays: these can be done at cleaning appointments.  They kill bacteria, fungi, virus, parasites, while delivering oxygen to tissues.  Ozone treatments are always followed by alkaline mineral rinse and oral probiotic to replenish the good bacteria.   Ozone trays also help reduce sensitivity in teeth.

Remineralizing Trays: we can create custom soft trays that you put remineralizing gel in and wear on your teeth at home. Studies show that just 2-3 minutes of wear per day can aid in remineralizing your teeth (this assumes that your plaque removal techniques are on point!).

Taking care of existing cavities: Cavity bacteria can travel from tooth to tooth.  If you have a cavity now, it’s a good idea to get it taken care of and the bacteria removed, so that your other teeth do not suffer later. We have several options for treating cavities, and what we recommend differs from person to person. It’s hard to create a healthy microbiome in the mouth if it is already full of the bad bacteria.

Oxygen: Have your oxygen levels tested with our take home test.  People that snore, have poor sleep, grind and clench teeth, have crooked or missing teeth, large tongues, or breath through their mouth primarily are all at risk of oxygen depletion and more acidity in the mouth. Low oxygen in the body has also been linked to heart conditions, diabetes, cancers, acid reflux, and many other health conditions.  So it’s a good thing to be screened for, and easy to fix if there is an issue!

 

Take the first step toward a healthier, more cost-effective smile by scheduling a visit with us. Our team is committed to addressing the root cause of dental decay, which not only leads to better long-term results but also saves you time, frustration, and money in the future. By focusing on minimally invasive techniques like re-mineralization and early detection, we can help you avoid more extensive and costly procedures down the road. Contact us today to get started on a treatment plan that promotes lasting oral health and keeps your dental care simple and affordable!