A

Hi A,

There are numerous factors that determine the amount and speed of a cavity repair.

In the old days when dentists didn’t understand that acidity was the problem, they would eliminate sugar – but that is unable to control a cavity.

Until recently dentists believed that once bacteria were into the dentin, the cavity would continue to move towards the center of the tooth.

This was because they did not have xylitol to inactivate and kill the bacteria – but when you use xylitol things are different!!

First project

Before healing can begin it is necessary to kill the lead bacteria at the dentin junction.

This involves frequent use of xylitol – at least 5 grams and at least 5 times a day – especially after meals.

It takes about a month (4/5 weeks) – depending on the amount of infection. One small new cavity will be less infection that say, 15 aging cavities.

Xylitol can stop the progress of a lesion – and any dentist who does not “believe” this is possible, has probably never tried 100 percent xylitol and the combined use of my mouth rinse system.

I expect ( but have no proof) that Closys is an important component in this “cleaning” process, since it oxidizes the mouth – and gets rid of the worst germs that are anaerobes.

Next is Repair

Repair will be slower or inadequate if there is too much ongoing and conflicting damage.

If someone continues to drink soda, or juice etc or when they do not seek the underlying REASON and DO SOMETHING to control this damage – there may be too much damage to counter the repair.

A cavity is always the final result of a battle between a daily amount of natural repair ( which happens in every mouth to some extent) and the daily amount of damage done to that tooth.

“Encouraging” bacteria with an acidic environment or frequent “feeding” with carbohydrates simply encourages a cavity to develop and not repair.

To make repair happen more quickly it is necessary to control mouth acidity as much as possible ( ? changing a damaging habit or routine – e.g. drink juice during a meal rather than drink it as a snack)

It is also helpful to stimulate natural healing by using my mouth rinse system.

Together, the use of xylitol with my rinse system provides tools to stop and reverse cavities.

Dilute fluoride works to heal the outer shell of a tooth – but does nothing to kill the cavity bacteria nor heal the deeper part of the tooth.

Going back to the old days – generally it was only fluoride that was available to stimulate this healing of teeth.

When fluoride is used alone – only the outer part of the tooth will heal.

This is where the notion of partial healing was developed – if only fluoride is used – you do not get the deeper part of the tooth cleaned or healed.

Hope this explains the way it is – and why it is hard to give a definite answer – since it depends on how involved and motivated the patient is!

Best Wishes,

Ellie