Why we can’t always clean our way to good oral health
Author: Dr Alexandra Jones, Co-Founder and Board Chair
If you grew up believing that tooth troubles were a sign you didn’t brush well enough, or didn’t care enough, you’re not alone. Many people feel embarrassed or even ashamed about their oral health, even when they’re doing everything “right”.
In Australia, we have been pretty good with our oral hygiene messaging when it comes to things like brushing twice a day, flossing, and even “spit don’t rinse”.
But the thing is, mouths are complicated, and have a range of processes apart from the ones that contribute to tooth decay.
This means that for some people, even if they nail the basics, they can still have oral health issues.
Your genes can play a role
Just like some people are more prone to eczema or asthma, others may have a natural susceptibility to serious forms of gum disease or tooth decay. That can come from things like:
Subtle (mostly imperceptible) differences in how your immune system responds to the plaque in your mouth
the shape of your teeth
your saliva composition
how your mouth responds to bacteria and acids
How you and your body respond to stressors
Brushing and flossing is incredibly important as it keeps your teeth and gums healthy, supports a balanced microbiome, and prevents new problems. But sometimes it can’t completely undo the influence of biological risk factors that were set long before you picked up a toothbrush.
Cleaning protects what you still have, but it can’t rewind the past
If you’ve had fillings, crowns, or other dental work, those teeth don’t behave exactly like untouched enamel and dentine. They can have edges, joins, or weakened structures that need extra care.
When restored teeth break, chip or have their nerves die, it can seem like all the hard work with cleaning them has not prevented those events.
Cleaning won’t restore those teeth to their original state, but it will keep them stable, prevent new decay, many gum problems, and support a healthier mouth overall.
Toothbrushing is only one part of the prevention puzzle
“Oral hygiene” often gets talked about like it’s the whole story, but it’s really just one piece. Other things that influence oral health include:
diet (especially how often teeth are exposed to sugars and acids)
hydration
smoking and vaping
mouth acidity (pH)
stress and how your body responds to it
whether you have fluoridated water
how your bite works over time
how your general health can influence your oral health
Having access to preventive care with a trusted dental professional also helps enormously.
Some of these you can influence. Others, like financial stress, circumstances in childhood, disability, trauma, or where you live, are actually shaped by systems and things beyond your control.
For dental worriers, it can really help to shift energy toward the things you can control now, rather than blaming yourself for things that happened years ago.
Stuff happens in mouths that has nothing to do with decay
People are often shocked when something “suddenly” breaks or becomes painful:
a nerve flares up
an old filling fractures
a tooth chips for no obvious reason
teeth wear down
saliva works not so well
These events can happen even when there is no active decay. Teeth age, materials age, health changes and everyday life (clenching, grinding, chewing), takes its toll.
Learning a little about the dental work you already have can help you predict what may need attention in the future, and avoid the feeling that these issues came out of nowhere.
Shame is harming people, not lack of effort
Many people blame themselves for their oral health, even though the system around them is fragmented, costly, and hard to navigate.
Oral health is shaped by this system, including the commercial determinants of health, biology, stress, environment, access, and luck.
You’re not failing, and you’re not doing it wrong.
You’re human, and your mouth is doing its best.
The good news? Small steps make a big difference
Even tiny changes help move your mouth toward a healthier, more stable state:
brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
drinking tap water especially where it’s fluoridated
reducing the frequency of sugary/acidic snacks
staying hydrated
Every positive step, no matter how small, helps. It's never too late to look after your oral health. It sounds unbelievable but even when all natural teeth are gone, the cells that line your mouth still need good nutrition and protection from harmful substances.
Artificial teeth or implants also need a healthy microbiome covering them. Oral Health never stops working. And it's never too late to improve it, for your mouth and the rest of your body.
Final thought
You can’t always clean your way out of biological heritage, past fillings, life circumstances, or systemic barriers. But you can be supported with the right information, preventive care, and a space to learn about your oral health. That’s the space we’re building at FRED!