5 Dentist-Recommended Habits to Prevent Cavities and Painful Root Canals

By David Shen, DMD
Founder, OrthoWorks Orthodontic Group
40 Years in the Practice of Orthodontics and Dental Orthopedics

When it comes to dental cavities and dreaded root canal treatments, many people chalk these up to simple bad luck. But did you know that your personal risk is shaped by how your teeth and jaws are structured and aligned?

As an orthodontist spanning over four decades, I've witnessed firsthand how foundational early orthodontic care can be in curbing the need for fillings, crowns, and root canals down the line. In fact, what may seem like misfortune is often preventable.

A recent New York Times article by Susan Shapiro, quoting leading dental experts such as Dr. Katherine Taylor, Dr. Saul Pressner, and others, underscored several surprising culprits behind tooth decay and the development of root-canal infections, including:

• Dry mouth
• Dental trauma
• Teeth grinding
• Acidic diets
• Crowded, hard-to-clean teeth

These findings echo my own daily experience in orthodontics. Let’s explore five essential ways to prevent dental cavities and avoid root canal treatments—and how orthodontic care offers powerful, proactive protection that goes well beyond a straight smile.

1. Combat Dry Mouth by Improving Airway and Jaw Alignment

Why dry mouth matters

Saliva safeguards your teeth by:

• Remineralizing and protecting tooth enamel
• Neutralizing harmful acids
• Rinsing away food debris and bacteria

However, when your mouth dries out, this natural line of defense falters—and cavities can develop rapidly.

The airway and jaw connection

People with a narrow upper jaw or a retruded lower jaw often have limited airway space, making nasal breathing tricky. As a result, they compensate by mouth breathing, especially while sleeping. Over time, this causes:

• Persistent oral dryness
• Enamel vulnerability
• Increased bacterial growth

How orthodontics helps

Orthodontic intervention can enhance airflow and reduce dry mouth by:

• Expanding a narrow upper jaw
• Harmonizing upper and lower jaw relationships
• Adjusting the bite for better lip closure and nasal breathing

By promoting healthier breathing, orthodontic care dramatically lowers your risk of cavities—and the root canals that can result from chronic decay.

2. Protect Protruding Front Teeth to Prevent Dental Injuries

The hidden danger of protruding teeth

As highlighted in the New York Times, dental trauma—especially to teeth that "stick out"—is a leading cause of root canals. Protrusive upper front teeth are far more susceptible to:

• Chips
• Cracks
• Breaks from even minor bumps

Trauma opens the door for bacteria to reach the tooth’s nerve, often making root canal treatment unavoidable.

Orthodontic prevention—in action

Aligning front teeth, particularly during early years, can:

• Reduce fracture risk during play or sports
• Lower the need for crowns, fillings, and root canals
• Safeguard both function and aesthetics for life

In this way, orthodontics is trauma prevention, not just a matter of appearance.

3. Straighten Crowded Teeth for Effortless Cleaning

Why crowded teeth cause cavities

Crowded, overlapping teeth create tight crevices where:

• Toothbrushes can’t reach
• Floss can’t glide through
• Plaque and food debris accumulate

These “hidden” areas become hotspots for cavities that may go unnoticed until significant damage—and potential root canal therapy—is needed.

The benefit of alignment

With braces or clear aligners, you gain:

• Easier, more thorough brushing and flossing
• Reduced plaque and tartar formation
• Quicker detection of minor issues during checkups

Ultimately, good alignment is your lifelong ally against cavities and root canals.

4. Correct Your Bite to Prevent Abnormal Tooth Wear

Bite problems: The unrecognized risk

Malocclusions such as:

• Deep bites
• Open bites
• Crossbites

put unequal, excessive pressure on certain teeth. What does this mean for you?

• Faster enamel wear
• Tiny structural cracks
• Exposed, sensitive dentin
• Increased vulnerability to cavities

When left unaddressed, these issues can progress to nerve irritation or infections—making root canal treatment or crowns necessary.

How orthodontics preserves your teeth

By correcting bite alignment, orthodontic care:

• Evenly distributes chewing forces
• Reduces stress on vulnerable teeth
• Helps guard enamel and prevent micro-damage

Think of a proper bite as your secret weapon—not only for comfortable chewing, but also for sparing yourself future dental emergencies.

5. Reduce Teeth Grinding by Stabilizing the Jaw

The destructive power of grinding

Bruxism—grinding or clenching, often at night—can:

• Chip and fracture teeth
• Exacerbate existing cracks
• Aggravate the tooth nerve

This not only leads to sensitivity and pain, but often requires root canal therapy to rehab damaged teeth.

Jaw alignment and bruxism

When your jaws don't meet properly, muscle tension rises and your bite becomes unstable. This makes grinding and clenching much more likely.

Orthodontic solutions

By stabilizing the bite and jaw relationship, orthodontic treatment can:

• Lessen grinding forces
• Reduce muscle discomfort
• Protect teeth from cracks, fractures, and nerve harm

Sometimes, we combine orthodontic care with a nightguard for optimal protection—but improving jaw stability is crucial for true, lasting relief.

Insights from the New York Times Article

Personal accounts in the New York Times reveal how easily people underestimate the role of:

• Chronic dryness
• Acidic diets
• Poor access around crowded teeth
• Sports injuries
• Persistent grinding

Too often, patients wind up needing root canals because small, overlooked issues snowballed over time.

Orthodontic problems frequently lay the groundwork for decay and infection long before tooth pain appears.

The takeaway? Don’t wait for symptoms. Early treatment targeting jaw alignment, bite, and tooth position can remarkably lower your likelihood of cavities and root canal procedures.

Orthodontics: The Power of Preventive Dental Care

A beautiful smile is just the beginning. Straight teeth and a healthy bite are cornerstones for:

• Better oral hygiene and less plaque
• Resilience against dental trauma
• Proper airway and better nasal breathing
• Minimizing abnormal wear and cracks
• Reducing destructive grinding or clenching

Orthodontics isn’t just cosmetic—it’s essential for lifelong dental health. It proactively shields you and your loved ones from the very complications (cavities, fractures, root canals) that so often trace back to jaw and bite issues.

About OrthoWorks Orthodontic Group

At OrthoWorks Orthodontic Group, we’re committed to building smiles that radiate health and confidence.

• Six certified orthodontic specialists
• Nine convenient locations around the San Francisco Bay Area
• Comprehensive orthodontic care for patients of all ages

Over the past 40 years, I’ve focused on the powerful link between:

• Facial growth and jaw alignment
• Airway function
• Long-term dental well-being

Our mission is to help you prevent the dental problems—from cavities to root-canal infections—that are so often avoidable through timely orthodontic intervention.

Take the Next Step: Schedule Your Preventive Orthodontic Evaluation

Do you or your child have:

• Crowded or forward-jutting teeth?
• A deep bite, open bite, or crossbite?
• Mouth breathing or teeth grinding at night?
• A pattern of frequent cavities or dental injuries?

Now is the best time to consider a professional orthodontic evaluation.

Early, expert care can profoundly impact your future dental health—helping you avoid unnecessary fillings, crowns, and root canals before problems spiral out of control.

We welcome you to take that next step toward lifelong oral health at any of our OrthoWorks locations.

David Shen, DMD and Associates
OrthoWorks Orthodontic Group