Candida is a prevalent fungus that is very common among the general population.  In fact, most are unknowingly suffering from this pathogenic fungus. 

However, almost no one would think twice about candida overgrowth contributing to cavities.  Cavities are caused by not brushing your teeth every morning and every night, right?

Thinking that cavities is caused by lack of brushing or cleaning is out dated and possibly incorrect.  Throughout history, various Native American tribes living a natural way of life could be seen to have a perfect set of teeth free from cavities.  It should be mentioned that these people had a fully developed facial structure and were able to house their wisdom teeth without issue.

This was observed by Dr. Weston Price who observed countless times that cultures eating a natural diet such as high quality animal foods and carefully prepared plant foods were always free from poor dental health.  However, when these people were taken off their native foods and given highly processed foods, they began to suffer from poor dental health.

Price concluded that poor dental health such as cavities was in a fact a result of a western diet.  Even despite brushing and cleaning, these people surviving on their native diets were completely free of degenerative dental conditions.

Cavities a Result of Poor Diet?

It’s well known among researchers that various fat soluble vitamins are critical for healthy bone development.  For those unaware, the teeth are an extension of the skeletal system; they’re in fact bones.  As a result, poor dental health is often a reflection that an individual has weak or fragile bones.

In particular, vitamins K2 and D3 play a very important role in the development of strong bones.  Research has shown that vitamin D3 helps to free up calcium in the body and vitamin K2 helps to direct it into the bones where it belongs (1).  It’s for this reason that all food sources that contain vitamin D3, also contain vitamin K2.  The two work synergistically together and are needed for proper absorption of calcium into the bones.

Thinking that taking a calcium supplement alone will build strong bones is ill advised.  In fact, if vitamin D and K2 are lacking in the body, excessive calcium supplementation can actually cause a build up of calcium in the body.  This is often referred to as “calcification” and often causes arthritic conditions in the body.  Knowing how the body works, many naturopaths will actually treat calcification by supplementing an individual’s diet with vitamin D and K2 rich foods.

Unfortunately, the modern diet is typically completely devoid of the necessary fat soluble vitamins such as A,D, and K.  As a result, poor dental health has become the “norm” among the general population.  In fact, it’s now considered normal for toddlers to suffer from multiply cavities before reaching their teens.

Candida and Cavities

As well as a deficiency in important fat soluble vitamins, an overgrowth of candida in the body may also contribute to poor dental health.  Typically, those suffering from cavities almost always show signs of high amounts of the yeast Streptococcus mutans in the mouth (2).  However, one study found candida to be present in the cavities of 69% of the patients (3).  This goes to show that candida may play a role in the development of cavities.

Based on this research, one could make the claim that those who have suffered from an oral thrush in the past are at a greater risk of developing cavities in the future.  For those unaware, oral thrush is when an infestation of candida occurs in the mouth.  This usually causes a white coating on the tongue.

Unfortunately, diets high in sugar and starchy carbohydrates are going to be the biggest culprits when it comes to candida overgrowth in the body.  Sugar is the perfect fuel source for candida and is what allows it to multiply and take over a hosts microbiome.  It’s important to understand that the metabolism of candida is based on fermentation.  It ferments sugars into usable energy and produces toxic byproducts in return.

Interestingly, we all know that sugars, sweets, and desserts are the perfect recipe for cavities.  Again, these types of foods provide the perfect fuel for candida and play a big role in an individual’s overall dental health.

Plant Anti-Nutrient and Cavities

Even those who refrain from consuming sugar rich foods are still at risk for developing cavities.  In particular, diets high in plant foods can have an extremely negative effect on the health of the teeth.  Time and time again we see vegan’s and vegetarians suffering from poor dental health after being on the diet for several years.  It should be mentioned that many of these vegans and vegetarians are strict in their eating habits and refrain from consuming sugary foods.

So, what gives? How can someone following a healthy low sugar diet of mostly plants suffer from cavities?

Although not often talked about, all plant foods contain high amounts of plant anti-nutrients.  These anti-nutrients actually have a mineral robing effect in the body.  For example, although a particular plant food may be loaded full of nutrients, it’s ill advised to think that the body will be able to make use of all of these nutrients.

Again, these nutrients are typically bound to nutrient inhibitors which can hinder absorption.  Various preparation methods such as boiling, soaking, fermenting, and roasting can in fact reduce some of these anti-nutrients.  However, if someone is eating a large amount of plant foods, chances are they’re taking in too many of these plant anti-nutrients.

As a result, many minerals that are needed for the development of strong teeth will actually become bound to these anti-nutrients and unavailable to the body.  Overtime, this can rob the teeth of the necessary minerals it needs in order to maintain itself.

Furthermore, all plant based diets will be deficient in the important fat soluble vitamins which are only available in animal foods.  This includes Vitamins A,D, and K.  As mentioned before, these vitamins are mandatory in order for the proper displacement of calcium into the bones and teeth.

The Importance of Diet

Diet cannot be emphasized enough for those suffering with both candida overgrowth and cavities.  It’s imperative that you change your diet if you haven’t done so already.  This means excluding all plant foods that are high in sugar and anti-nutrients and replacing them with high quality animal foods.

High quality animal foods are the richest source of the important fat soluble vitamins A,D, and K.  They can provide everything the body needs in order to maintain optimal health.  Plant foods should only be added to the diet if carefully preparation methods have been taken such as cooking, boiling, fermenting, roasting, and soaking.

Interestingly, high quality animal foods are naturally anti-candida.  This is because they do not contain sugar and do not cause fermentation in the intestines.  In fact, it’s been shown that those who include adequate amounts of protein in their diet and exclude fermentable carbohydrates show significant improvements in their irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (4).  This is important since most suffering with IBS oftentimes also suffer from a colonization of candida in the gut (5).

That all being said, for those interested in following a diet that will provide their body with the important vitamins and minerals needed for healthy teeth, be sure to check out our Candida Diet Protocol.  Not only is our protocol anti-candida, but it also includes foods that provide the important fat soluble vitamins which are crucial for preventing cavities.

The Bottom Line – Can Candida Cause Cavities?

In our opinion and based on research it appears that this pathogenic fungus may be a reason for cavities.  Many foods that feed candida have also been shown to cause cavities.  As a result, their may be a connection between the two.

Changing the diet is of the utmost importance for anyone dealing with cavities.  Again, our website as well as our protocol can provide you with a wealth of knowledge surrounding both candida and diet. 

That being said, organ meats are going to provide the body with highest amount of fat soluble vitamins.  If you can get your hands on quality organ meats, they can be very beneficial when added to the diet.  For those put off by organ meats, a QUALITY cod liver oil supplement in small amounts can also be beneficial.