It sounds like you have an oral infection caused by bacteria that damage and weaken teeth. The main ones are Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus. Many dentists simply say, “Stop eating sugar or drinking soda,” which is partially true, but the real problem is that sugar feeds these bacteria.

To fix this, you need to change your daily oral hygiene to restore bacterial balance. I suggest the following:

Clean your toothbrush:

Before brushing, soak the brush head in Listerine for at least a minute. This kills any germs on the bristles. Then, rinse it with water before brushing. After brushing, dry your toothbrush and store it where it can air dry. Don’t store it while it’s still wet.

Toothpaste:

The brand doesn’t matter much. Just don’t use a toothpaste that’s too harsh on your teeth. It doesn’t matter if it has fluoride or not, because toothpaste only stays on your teeth for a few minutes.

Use mouthwash to kill germs:

A simple routine:

• First, rinse your mouth with Closys mouthwash for about 1 minute before brushing.
• Then, brush your teeth for 2 minutes.
• Afterward, rinse with Listerine for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Immediately afterward (without rinsing with water), rinse with ACT Fluoride Mouthwash for at least 3 minutes if possible.

Important: After using ACT mouthwash, do not rinse your mouth with water. Let the fluoride sit for an hour, if possible, and don’t eat or drink during that time. The fluoride will help repair and strengthen your teeth.

Repeat this entire routine twice a day: once after breakfast and once before bed. At night, the ACT rinse will stay on your teeth until morning.

Note: Listerine is slightly acidic, so you shouldn’t leave your mouth like this for too long. Therefore, you should rinse with ACT right after using Listerine. Closys can be expensive, but you can usually find it at Walmart or larger supermarkets. Use just the right amount to avoid waste.

Use gum or mints with xylitol:

Carry gum or mints with xylitol. After eating or drinking anything, chew a piece or take a mint. Xylitol helps raise the pH of your mouth, making it less acidic. This protects your teeth and prevents bacterial growth. The less acidic your mouth is, the harder it is for bacteria to survive.

Continue like this:

If you follow this complete routine for 5 to 6 weeks, your mouth should regain its health. Cavities won’t magically disappear, but small ones may heal a little. So, if they’re not too serious, you could wait a few months before filling them.

Continue flossing as well: daily at first, but over time you may not need to do it every day because there will be less plaque buildup. Now I only floss occasionally.

Keep this routine up for life to keep your teeth strong and your mouth healthy!