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I did some research on causes of cavities and alternative approaches to correct/prevent them. One alternative health source revealed the connection between sugar and tooth decay, and it is different from the dentist's take on it. Apparently, it is not the acid in sugar and the bacteria that feed on this sugar that causes tooth decay. Rather, it is the imbalance of calcium and phosphorous that sugar consumption causes, which results in minerals being depleted from the bones, including the teeth.

This is interesting because when under stress and depleted in magnesium and other minerals/nutrients, the body starts drawing energy sources from the bones. Stress also tends to elevate blood sugar levels, which must add to the calcium/phosphorus imbalance. We also tend to crave simple carbohydrates and sugar fixes when under stress.

I was able to avoid cavities for a number of years and thought I had it licked (no pun intended). I thought regular dental cleaning and flossing/brushing would keep the cavities away. However, I ended up with three cavities in the space of a year. I guess they were forming at the microscopic level for longer than that, but it did come as a shock.

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It's an interesting theory. I could see an increase in cavities because sometimes people under stress crave more high sugar foods, so the possibility of more of the sugar in the mouth and on the teeth would I think increase the possibility of cavities unless someone brushed immediately after eating candy and mood food.

Something else you might want to research is cortisol stress, and its effect on the body, but be prepared to be unsettled.

This is a fairly good article on cortisol stress:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037

I read some years ago that caregivers had cortisol stress levels of someone about 90 years old. The research was more specific than that; I'm just stating a general conclusion as I remember it.
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I find your topic very interesting. It's so odd too, because I had very good dental care and had not had a cavity since the early 1980's, HOWEVER, after about 6 months of the stress of my loved one suffering with dementia, I was hit with an abscess over my front top tooth! (Granted, that's not a long time, but it was very stressful and it felt like an eternity.) I had to have a root canal! I had more than dental problems too.
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I can see where one could have cavities as there were days I just wanted to drop into bed and skip the tooth brushing/flossing all together.
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Yes I had a cavity form while being a caregiver. I took great care of my teeth. Before being a caregiver my cleanings were easy. After becoming a caregiver my dentist remarked that I had stubborn plaque. Now I have to use a special mouth rinse once a week and go for cleanings every four months. My dentist also told me I've been grinding my teeth. Whether it's cortisol or a mineral imbalance it's eye-opening the toll caregiving takes on a person. I bet new parents don't suffer from cortisol or mineral imbalances like caregivers do. Thanks for bringing this question to the forum. I'm interested to read what others have to say about their dental hygiene.
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