California dentist with 41 years experience shares 'number 1 cause of cavities' and exact reason for your bad breath

Dr Mark Burhenne has shared a 'science-backed way to prevent cavities'. Here are his top tips for maintaining good oral health.

Cavities can be a real pain, both literally and figuratively. If you wish to take proactive steps to understand why you're getting them so you can reduce your risk of cavities and maintain a healthy, happy smile, you have come to the right place.

Dr Mark Burhenne, a California-based dentist, has highlighted the common culprits for a host of dental issues, including cavities.

How to prevent cavities, bad breath

He took to Instagram on July 3 to share a post titled: 'Advice I would give you as a dentist of 41 years if I wasn't afraid of hurting your feelings'. He also shared the best 'science-backed way to prevent cavities' and spoke about the real reason that might be behind your bad breath. Dr Burhenne also shared which popular drinks are 'terrible for your teeth'.

8 tips on maintaining good oral health

According to him, when it comes to dental health and hygiene, it's important that you know the following:

1. Stop buying goldfish crackers, cheddar bunnies, and gummy vitamins.

2. Drool on your pillow, twisted bedsheets, or snoring at any age (infant, child, adult) means intervention is needed by an airway dentist + myofunctional therapist (yes, it’s that serious).

3. Using crest white strips is making you more prone to cavities, gum recession, sensitivity. A mich safer way to whiten is with 10 percent Opalescence gel and custom trays.

4. Your bad breath is caused by oral microbiome imbalance.

5. Poppi soda is more acidic than Coke Zero (and both are terrible for your teeth).

6. Chewing xylitol gum is an excellent and science backed way to prevent cavities.

7. The number one cause of cavities is mouth breathing, not sugar.

8. You need to floss if you want to reduce Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and stroke risk.

Want to enhance your oral health? In an April 2025 interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Shruthi, MDS, a dentist and periodontist at Apollo Dental in Chennai, discussed nine dental care tips you must know to improve your oral hygiene routine. Click here to know everything she shared.

Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.

This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.