There has never been a single cavity found in the ocean! In fact, on land we find only two groups of animals that experience tooth decay: human beings (and their domestic pets), and bears.

• Did you know that the ocean covers 71% of our planet? There are more than 100 fish teeth in the ocean for every single animal tooth on land! Dolphins have 96 teeth and whales have more than 1,000. Barracudas have several rows of teeth, and so does a shark. Sharks eat all day long, they never brush, they never floss, and they never see the sharky hygienist!

• Have you figured out why so many people have needless cavities that require fillings? There are two reasons. First is our diet. Bears eat gallons of honey at a time. In over 22 countries, humans consume more than 120 pounds of sugar a year--per person! This causes a lot of decay. Dogs and cats in the wild never get a cavity; but when you feed them human food, they can get cavities. In some countries, like China, most people eat such small quantities of sugar that entire cities are cavity free. In fact, guess which country has the most cavities per person. That's right: the United States of America. So, if you never want another cavity, quit consuming sugar!

• The second reason that fish don't get decay is that the ocean is one part per million-fluoride solution. Fluoride is the 13th most common element on the planet. Fish and their teeth are constantly soaking in a fluoride solution! This is why cities around the world adjust the fluoride in their drinking water to that of the ocean. Make sure that your children's growing teeth are not deprived of fluoride benefits. Reverse osmosis home water filters take all the fluoride out of the water; activated charcoal filters leave it in. (If you are not sure about the exact fluoride level in your water, bring a sample in to us and we will check it for you. You can also buy mineral water with fluoride in it, or obtain supplements, from your dentist or pediatrician.)

• Once your teeth are formed, don't forget your fluoride treatments every six months at the time of your regular cleaning appointments, which will reduce decay significantly or get custom fluoride trays and an at-home fluoride solution from us. If used properly one time per week for four minutes, this will prevent nearly 100% of decay--provided you also quit consuming sugar.

• Lastly, ask about dental sealants, which if applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth prevent decay on the chewing surfaces nearly 100% of the time. In these days of modern preventive dentistry, people who get cavities must really want them--because they're hard to grow!

• In conclusion, don't tell yourself or believe that your family has bad teeth. Instead, know that your family consumes so much sugar that their teeth are rotting. Do not think that just because you have your teeth fixed you can neglect them. Studies by the American Dental Association show that most crowns only last about eight and a half years.

• The dentist can fix your tooth, but only you can change the behavior that led to the cavity in the first place: cut back on the sugary soft drinks, candy and gum; and try to eat more of what all the other animals that have perfect teeth eat.